An interesting thread, this...I have read a number of posts on various pprune forums recently concerning the AA MD80 fleet. I myself took a flight on one (N424AA I believe) in August (LGA/TPA), and I have to say that it was without doubt the worst flying experience I have encountered in 25 years of flying on commercial a/c.
Question - are the AA MD80's simply "flying junk", or are these incidents down to minimal maintenance schedules coupled with the need to keep the things flying in order to generate the much- needed revenue for the Company? I haven't seen or heard of any similar number of complaints about other a/c types in the AA domestic fleet. My next family trip to the States will be planned with avoidance of MD80s in mind - I have got a wife and two kids to think of!