Tom Horton, chief executive of American Airlines parent AMR Corp., says that he is feeling better about his company's prospects after nearly eight months of restructuring in bankruptcy court, the Wall Street Journal reported today. Horton, an AMR veteran who ascended to the top job on the day the company filed for chapter 11, once seemed intent on the company exiting bankruptcy alone. But amid pressure from AMR's creditors, he has softened his position, saying that the carrier is ready to evaluate possible mergers as an alternative to a reorganization plan that would see it exit court protection on its own. US Airways Group Inc. has aggressively courted its rival, even negotiating tentative deals with AMR's unions on how their members would be treated in a marriage. AMR plans to hold discussions with other airlines, and perhaps private-equity firms. In a recent meeting with creditors, named four other airlines besides US Airways that AMR will study for possible deals.
