Every time AA has changed the times of my flights, we have communicated, sometimes because they call me, and other times because I call them.

AA automatically re-schedules you when flight schedules change. However, in my experience, AA will always make another change on the phone if you decide that their new schedule proposed to you is unacceptable.

So, had you and AA spoken, I assume you could have either chosen the 1:15 pm earlier departure (which you found unacceptable) or you could have chosen the later 7:45 pm departure (which you actually flew).

I have never had AA refuse such a change for me. It is unfortunate that you and AA did not communicate prior to the date of your return from FLA, because I'm sure AA would have accomodated your request in late October or early November (or maybe even the day before you returned).