This apperas to be an instance where the DOT's recently enacted three hour rule may have made the difference. Without that rule in place, the ariline may have been more willing to let your flight stay in line for the runway.

However, the fact that there were problems with the engines would have become apparent when you actually tried to take off so in this case, the absence of the rule wouldn't have helped...looks like you experienced Murphy's Law at its finest!

I'm puzzled that the airline declined to fill all seats for "security" reasons. That makes less sense unless the seat was designated for a FAM. Absent that, the only reason I can think of to not fill a seat is weight and balance or an inop. seat. Perhaps others can shed some light?

Finally, I think kudos are due to AA in one respect--they provided accomodations to the people on this flight instead of trying to blame everything on the weather. I suspect that in these mixed mechanical/weather situations, airlines are sometimes tempted to deny compensation and cite weather, which was obviously a factor. I'm glad AA didn't try to go down that dodgy road!

Thanks for sharing your sharing your story fede33 and glad you made it home safe!