I too missed this thread when it was first posted, but must thank you for a great detailed report. My favorite part was the letter from AA.
You should keep a few copies of the AA letter with you when you travel and maybe even your letter to AA. Then, when you are in a similar situation {where you are right and the other person is wrong) and after you try to reason with this difficult person, simply hand them a copy, say "this is what happened the last person who tried to pull this type of power trip on me" and go on your way.