I think perhaps the best way to address AA service deficiencies while hopefully encouraging AA to improve is to post your comments and experiences in as close to real time as possible on Twitter, including pics.

@AmericanAir <corrected> is the official Twitter address for AA.

No PDB in 1st class -- take a pic of the open door and no people boarding and post away with your experience and flight details. Or, just post: AAxxx, LGA-ORD, no pre departure beverages, despite request & plenty of time for FAs. You may get a very quick response from AA's Twitter team asking for you for details and promising prompt follow up.

Maybe FAs will start to recognize that it makes more sense to just do the right thing in the first place than have to explain things later on.

Obviously, this applies to much more than just PDB's: bad food (great opportunity for pics), malfunctioning equipment, late baggage, premium baggage not delivered first, boarding problems, flight delays, etc.

Conversely, I think the same idea applies to good food and experiences, although I think the same holds true for AA's competitors.

Social media can be a much more powerful way to effect change than private emails to customer service and/or posts on FT.