Originally Posted by MathMusic

If you are currently at a hub, they can always change which flight is your incoming. If you are not at an AA hub then the odds of them switching aircraft is rather low. Unfortunately until a delay is published there isn't much you can do usually.

Originally Posted by zpaul

Unfortunately, I have had the same experience and it's not because of a hope for a new plane. It's just how truly bad they are at being proactive with delays.