Lindsay, I hope you do come back... What would we do without all that great information you provide on this forum.
As a private pilot I receive reports on all accidents with Australian registered aircraft and also tend to follow up the big overseas ones as well. In most of these cases, culture is a huge factor, whether that be cost cutting, company or pilot culture. This is why I'm always wary of airlines that have accidents where maintenance was involved. If I have a choice I avoid them.
I'd probably would fly AA if I needed to as the crash was a combination of factors including the FAA agreeing to changes in maintenance and MD for not providing a system with a backup.
Although I'm still happy to fly Qantas after the BKK accident (maintenance cost cutting)..
