Originally Posted by
corporate-wage-slave
Doubtless complicated by the fact that they were airside in Tom Bradley, and would have to march back through security, with luggage, around to the AA terminal, which admittedly is not far, and deal with AA yet again. Perhaps resulting in Main Cabin to Kennedy somewhere down the line. At the end of a long day I can see it would be a difficult prospect.
Since all of this was initially of AA's doing I think AA should have been contacted when the OP first did not succeed in checking in with BA. I would have at least tried to call AA to see what was going on - the fact that BA did not have any J seats for the OP and his mother could have been uncovered right there and then, and AA could have offered another option(s) (or the OP could have made an informed decision about travelling in Y on BA and discuss with AA the issue of compensation for the downgrade).