joe001

I was on a cross country flight this week, an A321 in an exit row window seat. No seat in front of me; This is great for me as I'm a tall guy.

There was a lengthy delay before takeoff and I fell asleep with my legs crossed in front of me with my iPad in my lap. This is ideal for me as I'm a light sleeper and have difficulty sleeping on planes.

At some point before takeoff, the FA picked my legs up off the ground using two hands and put them almost under my seat. Think of sitting with your legs extended and now your legs in a 'L' shape.

I was very startled and as a result my IPad fell out of my lap, landing on the screen and it cracked.

This experience was quite disturbing as any time I have seen a flight attendant interact with a sleeping passenger they typically tap him or her on the shoulder, as a supposed to a more physical interaction.

I asked her why she moved my feet without waking me and she said it was time for take off. I followed up with why she did not merely tap me on the shoulder and she was unresponsive and denied causing the iPad damage.

I got the FA's name before de planing but am wondering how, if at all, I can file a complaint.

This is one if my first interactions with the new US/AA and needless to say I was quite upset.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Air Rarotonga

Sleeping passenger at emergency exit during take-off = security risk ?

aztimm

As American Airlines and US Airways are still operating as distinct airlines, this question is being moved to the appropriate pre-merger airline forum.

Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests ) will help get you in the right place.

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GalleyWench

Were your legs blocking her from getting to her jumpseat? Do you know if she even tried to tap you on your shoulder to wake you up before moving your legs? Not trying to excuse what she did just trying to figure out why she did it.

joe001

Good questions. Nope, not blocking as I was slightly angled. No shoulder tap per the pax near me...I pride myself on being a considerate flyer which makes me particularly frustrated.

mauld

As for the cracked I Pad, I don't think you have much to stand on. If, while you were dozing it fell to the floor or during take off it it slid off, you wouldn't receive any compensation. The fact that it fell when you were startled, it could have also occured if she had indeed 'tapped you on the shoulder.

davie355

By chance do you qualify for purchase protection via your credit card?

Wish I could help you deal with the airline directly, but I can't think of anything other than to write in a complaint to US and wait for their response.

joe001

Thanks yes I will write. Unfortunately I am beyond 1 year.

joe001

Sure, anything can happen. But those things did not happen. What did occur is quite a bit of unwanted touching from a FA.

FlyerChrisK

Suppose you had fallen asleep without your seatbelt on prior to take off.

Would a FA tapping your shoulder to wake you (and tell you to put on your seatbelt so the plane can take off) constitute "unwanted touching?"

Spiff

Nope.

Zanotti

It gets extremely tiring that everyone wants compensation for everything.

She was trying to be nice, and in a unrelated move YOU dropped YOUR iPad and it broke.

Suck it up and be more careful next time.

NauticalWheeler

I don't think there's a security risk but there may be a safety risk. There are certain responsibilities that come with sitting in the exit row. You can't assist with an emergency evacuation if you're sleeping or in a daze after waking up.

I'm not suggesting passengers shouldn't sleep in the exit row, but they need to be awake and alert during takeoff and landing.

lawyertalk

Tapping would be ordinary behavior, and what the FA should have done here. Putting the seat belt on for the passenger would be unwanted touching.

Passmethesickbag

Sounds to me like the OP's best opening gambit would be "assault".