The pay issue is a smokescreen by AA.
They're in a far weaker negotiating position than they'd have everyone believe.
The "safety" aspect has caught the passengers' attention and APA will ride on those coattails for the ENHANCEMENT of crewing and safety rules.
The money will be there at the end, regardless.
The offer from AA is only good if accepted BEFORE August 31st. APA's Board of Directors isn't due to meet until late Sept/early Oct so AA's deadline will expire and the real negotiating will begin in earnest in the fall.
The last thing APA wants is the contract/work rules won by Delta (soon to be known as the Comair Connection).
APA has no intention of letting AA become the Eagle Connection!
dd.