The folks I dealt with who answer as "American Airlines" in Cape Town behaved 100% the opposite of your QF experience. Respectful, professional, knowledgeable, fast. Electronic ticket in electronic hand 3 days after my first call. Only problem is the time difference, since telephone seems the only path.

Of course the AA RTW desk continues to get top marks, too, although occasionally I've gotten an agent a notch or two below their best.