Chris I use the AIM embedded in Netscape which
NEVER crashes. I had the exact same problem w/the stand alone AIM app.
Strongly recommend that you use Netscape's embedded AIM.
There may be some way you can keep iChat open to receive AIM messages. Your AIM buddies are transferred over to iChat. However, you can't use/get into AIM's chat rooms using iChat.
You may wish to crosspost in the
iChat Forums if you don't want to use Netscape's AIM.