Feel slightly funny asking such a n00b question since, at least in principal-- I'm no OneWorld explorer n00b, have done quite a few of them in the past.

However, I've really, really fallen out with the various rules, I'm very much in catch-up mode.

One question is this; I see many people struggling getting ticketed ex-JNB/CPT, seemingly-- and I'm reading up all the latest posts on who's succeeded an how. Is trying to use Qatar for the first flight the biggest issue? Or just as problematic using BA?

And, the main question; when i used to do these, we'd go in with a routing and dates, but, almost always completely remake same one back in the U.S. using AA's ATW desk-- so all but the first flights were little more than placeholders, in essence (with the direction of travel established, needless to say.)

Is this no longer possible with these ex-JNB/CPT itins? I see people having huge struggles getting certain transits and routings approved, so, I tend to assume it's, for some reason(s) not as easy as it used to be in this context?

Thanks in advance!