@aa v.1.10
September 5, 2002
Jetnet: http://jetnet.aa.com/

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This issue: Information about 9/11 communications ... Introducing new Jetnet contacts for you to know about ... Notes about Jetnet Mail, AAdams, "Great Moments," and the AMR Style Guide ... Plenty of other news and notes, as well as a commentary entitled "English is a Stupid Language."

Reminders about 9/11 Communications
As the anniversary of last fall's terrorist attacks is mere days away, here are a few reminders regarding employee communications on that topic.

American is planning a series of low-key, respectful observances which ideally will not make the company the focal point of the anniversary. This was a national tragedy, and our reflection will be consistent with the nation's broader recognition. Observances will stay largely inside the AA family and we will decline interviews and discourage media activity at our facilities.

We will participate in the large national public commemorations, represented by members of senior management. We have joined with United Airlines to design a special commemorative ribbon that can be worn by all employees who care to on September 11.

A moment of silence will be observed at HDQ and at field stations around the system at approximately 10 AM local time. Pilots on every American Airlines flight that day will make a special inflight announcement recognizing the anniversary and asking passengers to reflect on the event. Of course, counselors will be available for employees on an as-needed basis.

Consistent with that theme, Jetnet will run a simple front-page image of the memorial ribbon to accompany a letter from Don Carty, and we recommend that other publications follow similar low-key routes.

Introducing ...
On a more positive note, we're putting together a team of content experts at Jetnet that rivals Manchester United and the New York Yankees for potential dominance. And now, we have identified four "single points of contact" (SPOCs, if you will, but no Star Trek references please) who will help make your life easier.

AA Corp Comm:
Tim Wagner, [Contact information not displayed]
Eagle Corp Comm:
Lisa Bailey, [Contact information not displayed]
AA HR:
Brian W. Smith, [Contact information not displayed]
Eagle HR (People):
Dianne Taber, [Contact information not displayed]

If you have any questions or contributions for Jetnet in these areas, contact Tim, Lisa, Brian or Dianne first and they will bring the information to the ensuing Monday afternoon Editorial Board meeting or expedite it as necessary. Others attending the Editorial Board meeting are Jetnet Project Manager Sarah Wagner [Contact information not displayed], Jetnet Creative Lead Ron Brissette [Contact information not displayed] and copywriter Mick Doherty [Contact information not displayed]. If you're not sure what category your question or contribution fits, contact any of the seven people listed above.

Jetnet Mail
The first edition of Jetnet Mail was released last Friday and response has been extraordinarily positive. There were a few minor glitches (for instance, a small percentage of GroupWise users did not receive a copy) but these have already been addressed. We will be utilizing this tool more often, especially as we head into 2003, and we encourage you to both sign up - you are signed up, aren't you? - and to publicize Jetnet Mail to readers of your publication. More than 22,000 employees are already participating in this program. It's easy to join; just visit the "Featured Links" area in the middle column of Jetnet's front page.

Linking to AAdams?
Does your Web or intranet site have a link to the AA graphics archive at http://www.aadams.com? If so, please verify that the link opens in a new browser window. Otherwise the site may not function properly. If you have questions, please contact Debra McMaster at [Contact information not displayed].

Online Benefits Enrollment Nears Launch
Please feel free to include versions of the announcements you are currently seeing on Jetnet and in Jetwire about October's online benefits enrollment in your own print or electronic publications. Keep in mind that online benefits enrollment is only for employees on domestic payroll. If you have questions about how or when to best announce something in this matter, contact Carolyn Brakhage at [Contact information not displayed].

AMR Style Guide Chugging Along
Yep, we're still working on it ... best of all, we've settled a number of major content conflicts and determined how the AMR Style Guide can be presented to you electronically. With benefits enrollment, the return of D-3 and some other major projects taking the Jetnet team through the end of October, look for the new Jetnet Style Community to be released, and available exclusively to members of this mailing list, around Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, if you have particular style questions or material you would like to contribute to the ongoing effort, please direct them to mick.doherty@aa.com.

"Great Moments" Update
In the most recent issue of @aa, we distributed information and graphics regarding the interactive marketing game available through Jetnet called "Great Moments in American History." We appreciate the effort many of you took to republish the information for local audiences.

As you have probably heard, there have been some technical glitches with the campaign, primarily relating to the "Challenge a Co-Worker" e-mail function which was eventually disabled, and more recently, surrounding an answer which was entered incorrectly. We are taking great pains to make sure equitable solutions are in place before the grand prize drawing later this month, and we appreciate any additional feedback you might have for us. We're learning ...

News & Notes ...
This week, Jetnet cracked the 97,000 user mark ... The long-awaited retiree access to Jetnet is scheduled for release within the next week. Watch Jetwire for details ... There will be a special online tour of the new domestic Benefits Enrollment process on Jetnet during the week of September 16 ... Have you tried "Web Reference," available only on Jetnet? It's the new and easy way to access N* records on the Web ... A revised Careers page on Jetnet is in the works and could be ready soon after Benefits Enrollment concludes ...

Parting Shot ...
A poem by that most prolific of writers, A. Nonymous:
English is a Stupid Language
Let's face it
English is a stupid language.
There is no egg in the eggplant
No ham in the hamburger
And neither pine nor apple in the pineapple.
English muffins were not invented in England
French fries were not invented in France.


We sometimes take English for granted
But if we examine its paradoxes we find that
Quicksand takes you down slowly
Boxing rings are square
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

If writers write, how come fingers don't fing?
If the plural of tooth is teeth
Shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth?
If the teacher taught,
Why didn't the preacher praught?


If a vegetarian eats vegetables
What the heck does a humanitarian eat?
Why do people recite at a play
Yet play at a recital?
Park on driveways and
Drive on parkways?
How can the weather be as hot as hell on one day,
And as cold as hell on another?


You have to marvel at the unique lunacy
Of a language where a house can burn up as
It burns down
And in which you fill in a form
By filling it out
And a bell is only heard once it goes off.


English was invented by people, not computers,
And it reflects the creativity of the human race
(Which of course isn't a race at all)


That is why
When the stars are out they are visible
But when the lights are out they are invisible
And why it is that when I wind up my watch
It starts
But when I wind up this poem
It ends.

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@aa is the on-demand publicaton for members of the AMR Publishing Board: the Editors, Webmasters and news/feature/content publishers of American Airlines, American Eagle and TWA.

The content of this newsletter is proprietary and not to be shared with any individual not already on the distribution list. Do not forward without permission. © 2002 AA.

Please note: This is no longer a weekly publication, and is only distributed as particular situations warrant.

Contact information:
Mick Doherty
[Contact information not displayed]