[xjcaptain]

Can you explain how you know for a fact these were less...Please be specific.

[jimworcs]

Here is a useful tip so you can tell if an airline employee is lying to you.. Look and see if their lips are moving.

The reality is that the first explanation is quite likely. AMR has been experiencing severe labour relations issues and the pilots contracts are the subject of litigation in bankruptcy court. One of the tactics is for the pilots union to pull a mass sickie as a bargaining tactic. If this was the case AMR are liable for your overnight stay costs. The weather/ATC excuse is more problematic. Certainly during the Delta/NWA takeover, there were many cancellations which appear to have been blamed on weather which were highly dubious and it would nto suprise me if AMR are seeking to do the same. Ttry complaining to the DOT, there is a link on this site. However, I would plump for the delay being caused by the sickie protest if I were you...much more chance of being compensated.