I recently had a scheduled 55 minute international-to-domestic connection at SCL from AA #945 from DFW-SCL to LA #841 from SCL-IPC. Obviously a very risky connection as is, especially with only one flight to IPC a day, but that was my best and only option following a cancelled flight segment and a re-route due to irrops. My itinerary was further complicated when AA #945 departed 45 minutes late and arrived into SCL 20 minutes late.

Recognizing that I was in serious risk of misconnecting, I acted proactively, spoke with the purser aboard AA #945, and explained my predicament. She told the pilots and they radioed ahead to have a LA ground staff agent meet me at the jet bridge. AA #945 arrived 20 minutes late into SCL, but the escort was great; she got me gate-to-gate in 18 minutes, walking briskly and helping me cut immigration, customs, and security lines, and I made my flight to IPC by the narrowest of margins. I wouldn't bank on this sort of treatment and outcome, but if any of you find yourself in a similar predicament, perhaps you might find this information useful.