Thanks for the help. The Montreal Convention is something I will bring up in my next email.
This is the email I received from AA today:
Thank you for contacting American Airlines. I apologize for the length of time it took for us to address your email.
A thorough search has been conducted for your missing property. Unfortunately, the results have not been positive.
In order for our methods to be successful, we must have notification immediately after the loss occurs. The reason for this is because a high percentage of misrouted articles are recovered within the first few days.
Since there was an unusual delay in your notifying us of your loss, our ability to recover your property was seriously hampered. We do not feel we can make an adjustment in terms of compensation since we were not given the opportunity to recover your property.
Mr. XXXXXX, I realize this isn't the outcome you'd hoped for. If you can think of any other details that may help with a resolution, please submit them to me in writing. I hope you'll give American Airlines another chance to earn your business in the future.
To which I replied:
Hello,
Lets Review a brief summary of facts, in case you forgot
1) When I landed in LAX, I went to locate my baggage.
2) When the Agent could not locate my bag, she began to file a claim.
3) When she asked for the ticket , she said something to the effect of "i cant do anything with this - go to Etihad". Why? I suspect the bag tag number was too long
4) I did what I was told and WENT TO ETIHAD, as she requested.
5) Etihad was perplexed but filed a claim anyway.
6) Etihad denied the claim as you were my final carrier.
7) I called AA to file a claim and AAgent, when FILING THE CLAIM, called Etihad to verify that I filed a claim there.
8) Agent verified that a claim was filed with Etihad and claim was denied as you were my final carrier.
9) Agent took the claim.
So yes, there was no delay in filing the claim. I went and did what I was told, by an employee of your company. That was it! When Etihad denied the claim, I IMMEDIATELY contacted American. The same day!
this problem would have been avoided if,
1) your employees were more knowledgeable about rules and regulations
2) your employees were more knowledgeable about rules and regulations
3) your employees were more knowledgeable about rules and regulations
4) your employees were more knowledgeable about rules and regulations
5) your employees were more knowledgeable about rules and regulations
Now I shall bring up the Montreal Convention once I hear back from this lady.