American Airlines has been forced to cancel hundreds of flights because of a shortage of pilots. The unions have been in a battle with parent company AMR for months, and pilots were in support of a proposed merger with U.S. Airways back in April. Although it hasn't happened yet, Fool.com analyst Brendan Byrnes believes that a merger is ultimately likely. Much consolidation has taken place in the airlines industry lately -- Delta(DAL 3.05%) and Northwest; United (UAL 4.98%)and Continental; Southwest(LUV 1.19%) and AirTran -- with U.S. Airways and AMR up next.
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