“I appreciate the opportunity to address the items outlined in your letter and the specifics you relayed to me personally regarding our handling of Winter Storms Fern and Gianna; American’s focus on pilot attendance policies; and our business plan to return American to its rightful place atop the industry…” Source: A statement from the CEO of American Airlines — who has caved, agreeing to meet face-to-face with the airline’s pilots’ union over concerns regarding the company’s operational reliability and long-term direction. While a period of battling winter storms added fuel to the fire, the Allied Pilots Association, which represents more than 16,000 American pilots, assured that its worries go well beyond a single bad month.