American Airlines’ Pilot Problem: Delays, Cancellations Continue

Joe Raedle/Getty Images(DALLAS) -- For American Airlines customers getting to their destinations isn't as easy as it used to be.

On a typical day, a one percent cancellation rate would be considered bad for any airline. But since the dispute between American Airlines and its pilots began, the carrier has been dropping three to five percent of its daily flights; many more are delayed. In just over a week, more than 7,000 flights have been delayed and more than 500 have been canceled.

With the end of the month a few days away, American expects the situation to get worse because many of its 10,000 pilots have already worked the hours that they legally are able, and because so many crews have been calling in sick.

The union blames the company for operating with too few pilots and too many aging planes, but denies that a sick-out has been ordered.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio