Thanks for the good advice, everyone.

I called back earlier this afternoon and could immediately tell by the accent that I had been connected with the MN call center. Within all of 45 seconds the ex-NWA agent happily put us on the nonstop JFK-DFW flight instead of JFK-MEM-DFW.

She was most friendly and I couldn't be happier. I almost felt as if I were talking to the AA EXP desk .