In Path to American's Merger, 1 CEO Had to Leave

By: Associated Press Email

Updated: Mon 10:40 AM, Feb 18, 2013

The 14-month battle for control of American Airlines came down to two men who got their start there.

When the airline filed for bankruptcy in November 2011, Tom Horton was simultaneously elevated to CEO. But from the minute he reached the top, a number of forces started converging against him. The airline's unions didn't trust him. Those owed money by American questioned his plans.

The strongest opposition, however, soon came from his old friend Doug Parker. The two had worked side-by-side as financial analysts at American's Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters in the 1980s, until Parker moved on to other airlines, eventually becoming CEO of rival US Airways.

But there was never going to be room for both at the top of American.

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