Anyone notice that other U.S. Part 121 airlines don't seem to have the problem(s) that AAL does? I don't think it's as much a safety issue (true, it can be, in some cases), but I think it's more of a schedule reliability issue. Looking at their diversion rate (mentioned in the linked article), it's just about double of anybody else.
AA management uses the AAdvantage program. They run everything to the advantage of AA, including the Railway Labor Act. Labor contract negotiations drag on for years - until the cost to operate the airline without an agreement exceeds the cost to settle. Until the two lines on the graph intersect, the company fiddles. Meanwhile, they also try to browbeat the pilots/dispatchers into keeping the current cost line lower so that the two lines don't intersect.
For the Captains, anyway, when faced with written reports and "counseling" for requesting additional fuel, it's just easier to accept the fuel load and if ATC says "Holding" the Captain says "Divert."