Originally Posted by
o2bonn
I have a family of four and usually fly AA w/them for vacations, so this drives me nuts. Splitting PNRs can really screw things up. What I do is book everyone together and select the best seats I can for my kids. Then I call AA and request an upgrade for my wife and I. ^ The kid's seats aren't affected. My wife and I absorb the bags.
We all get to priority board together b/c at least one person has status. This has worked well in the past. The downside is when there are irregular ops. I've suffered that and having 2 PNRs does complicate things.
Do you WAIT until after First boarding is completed and EXP/PLT has been called?
IME, the policy that allows your "companions" to board at your status call does *NOT* apply when crossing cabins (First/Business.) Once EXP/PLT/PriortyAccess starts, then your companions may board ahead of their number on the pass if traveling with someone of a higher status. (Of course, all too many GA's do not turn poeple back at any time in the process. And this restriction may or may not be actual policy - I've just seen it enforced a few times when Y pax attempting to board with a first companion have been asked to wait.)