While there were, clearly, a couple of positive notes at the Southwest annual meeting this morning, it does not sound like that tone originated with the first airline to hold its meeting today in the metroplex — American Airlines.

As many of you may be aware, both airlines usually hold their annual meetings on the same day. American usually starts at 8 AM, Southwest at 10 AM. And for all these years, neither side will give reporters a break (and a little extra time to get from one to another) by adjusting their schedules.

Some bizarre DFW turf war of sorts.

Anyway, as I hear it — the security at the American meeting was, as one reader put it, “unprecedented.” Including metal detectors. According to Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reporter Trebor Banstetter, “Airline officials said they increased security due to the recent killings at Virginia Tech.”

Uh-huh. Well I guess that’s a good excuse as any. Maybe the fact that many employees are not too happy also had something to do with it. Ya think?

On the agenda this year was a non-binding resolution that the Allied Pilots Association got put on the agenda, one that would have seen shareholders given the opportunity to voice approval or disapproval of executive compensation plans. The resolution failed, but probably by less than many might have thought. The measure was defeated by a 58% “no” vote. 

Meanwhile, the TWU took advantage of the meeting to present 17,000 petitions from employees and customers critical of the management bonuses.

In addition, American pilots protested on Wall Street Wednesday in support of the union’s proposed “say in pay” proposal.

Just another day in paradise.

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