Nightly News   |  September 19, 2012

Delays mount on American Airlines

Travel writers are warning passengers to avoid American as the airline struggles with delays, and are now making plans to cut their scheduled flights by 1 to 2 percent through October. NBC’s Tom Costello reports.

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>>> and customers on american airlines having a rough week so far with major delays on a majority of their flights. nbc's tom costello with us from the national airport in d.c. with what is behind this inconvenience. tom, good evening.

>> reporter: hi, brian, some travel experts are warning passengers to avoid the hub cities, maybe even board on alternative airlines as the delays mount. last september, 82% of american's flights were on time. so far, only 61% were on time. on sunday, 48%, monday, 39%, tuesday, 45%. today, more delays. what is the problem? well, american has imposed new cost-cutting conditions on its 7500 pilots as it re-organizes under bankruptcy protection . and now, the number of mechanical write-ups by pilots have jumped, some of them picking about seats that don't decline. and each write-up can play a flight. six calls are up, as well. the union insists there is absolutely no organized effort here. but whatever the reason, passengers are feeling it.

>> tom costello on the trouble on american tonight, thanks.