<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by travelalot5:
Which door? The one to the jetway or the one to the aircraft. The jetway door may have been open but the aircraft door closed and ready for departure.
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True, but that's still too early I think. AA's own placards posted at various airports (used to be anyhow, I haven't seen one in a while) go down a list, and its something like everyone seated 10 mins before departure, and then the aircraft door shuts 5 mins before departure.
Unless there is a mechanical, late inbound aircraft, etc., it is the GAs responsibility to make sure the flight leaves on time and they catch all heck if it doesn't. So, I can understand them doing everything they can as early as possible to make sure it happens, but not allowing someone to board 15 mins before the scheduled departure is just too much.
The OP arrived on another AA flight and got there as soon as he could. And, technically on time to board. What else is the pax supposed to do?