American Eagle

Age of the plane does not matter.
Quality of Maintenance does.
AE's planes are much newer, than Cape Air or Seabornes btw.

I totally agree Beeski- Quality of mainenance is THE most important aspect.

I'm no expert believe me, but I was told most of the AE's planes are 35+ yrs old. I'd be surprised if Cape Air's were that old; they sure look in much better physical condition than the ATR's of AE. My understanding, is the Seaborne planes have Otter engines which are one of the most dependable aircraft engines ever made.

Jumbie -STX

You were told wrong.
The ATR 72 which Eagle flies to STX was introduced in 1988
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATR_72

The Cessna 402 which Cape Air flies ended production in 1985
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_402

The Twin Otter which Seaborne flies ended production in 1988
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Canada_DHC-6_Twin_Otter

All 3 are perfectly safe airplanes.....though the ATR has a bad history with icing....which fortunately we don't get much of in the Caribbean.

1). If your really interested in the age of the aircraft...next time boarding; look around the cabin entry door frame, this is where there is a manufacturer's plate for the model, serial number and also the construction date of the airframe.
Sometimes it is on the bulkhead behind the pilots area and on others it is on the actual door frame.
Over the years the FAA has mandates that certain parts of all aircraft flown within the jurisdiction of the USA need to be inspected, replaced and kept operational by law.
Usually over the extremely long life of aircraft, the frame of the plane (the basic cylinder) is the only part that isn't fully replaced, usually just repaired!
And that airframe is inspected both inside and out on a regular flight hours schedule.
2). Just to throw a little more fuel on the airline service fire: American Airlines, who is owned by AMR Corporation would become routinely profitable if the parent company could divest themselves of the problematic American Eagle group (including Executive Airlines).
If you need more info buy some stock in AMR and read the yearly statements!!!!
Eagle now has regional jets throughout most of the continental states with max capacity of up to 70 passengers, although not in the Caribbean.
The passanger capacity has been dictated to the airline by agreement with the pilots union for American Airlines...and will not allow for larger planes until this clause can be re-negotiated with them.
The following is just my knowledgeable opinion:
Chances are that you might see these AE RJ70 series aircraft replacing the Boeing 737 series that AA is using to service STX.
This may lead to two flights a day from MIA...which would be great!
Also...AMR-Eagle has redesigned the interior of the RJ70 for planes to be fitted with two cabin service: first/business class seating plus the shoe-horn coach seats!
Partially full to full flights of the RJ's are very profitable versus the normal 70 to 80 pass angers on the Boeing (50-60% capacity)..
The crew costs for Eagle are considerable less than for AA.
The only modification necessary for overseas service (that I have heard about) would be the installation of life rafts & vests.
American Eagle is made up of several different operational groups, and the lucky people of the Caribbean have to deal with Executive Airlines, the franchisees for American Eagle.
There are, from what I remember, 5 regional groups including Executive Airlines servicing the AA regional requirements.
Please remember that AA only operates the aircraft that comes to the Caribbean area islands since 2003...all the ground personnel, ticket agents, local managers, etc, are either outsourced persons or agents for American Eagle (Executive Airlines).
American Airlines was 100% into the Caribbean for more than 30+ years prior to outsourcing their operations due to the growing operational/landing/rental costs placed upon them by the Virgin Islands government and their need to more money into the general fund.
AMR left; laid off or relocated operational personnel, and outsourced all the islands operations.
It costs more to land and time park an airplane on the Virgin Islands than to put that same aircraft into JFK or LAX in the United States...??
It costs a whole lot of money to park a plain overnight in the VI...that's why there are so few to no overnight on the islands.
Do you remember when there was that late evening AA 737 from San Juan to STX, with an early morning return AA737 to SJU...that was great to go shopping in Puerto Rico and return carrying your purchases on-board or also to connect to DFW, MIA, RDU, JFK, MCO, and ORD. Was really great
The port authority's land/parking cost pushed that plane away...wonder why that happened!!!
Remember that when you purchase those tickets...a few years ago the legacy airline paid more per passanger/aircraft fees to the airport authority than the smaller local or regional airlines did, guess that the VI Port Authority has some purpose in mind!
There was even talk that Delta and USA got a few years of free landings if they brought new service to the area!!! Sweet for them.
AA got no deals.
The VI government did the same to my former EDC employer of almost 20 years on the island (they were here for almost 30 years)...forced them to go to Communist China to manufacture the aerospace equipment that was made in STX-USA!
They came from Puerto Rico to the USVI when the PR government started to pull back those allowances from "Operation Boot Strap".
That laid off 125+ extremely well trained manufacturing persons from a one of a kind industry on the island. Those skill were at no other employer on the island.
The rummer was that the company was getting too profitable and the government want a better share, lttle did the government know!!!
In retrospect; if you wish to complain about the airline problems, services, and costs, contact your local senator and complain to him/her, for they are one of the major reasons for the higher costs...!!!
What is the reason that STT & STX are among the highest cost commercial airports in the western hemisphere to land aircraft!!!
Guess it is that cost of snow removal, de-icing, air conditioned jet bridges, parking garages, the fantastic maintenance of the buildings, the around the clock security in the parking losts and the cost of transport of fuel to the aircraft!!