Originally Posted by
globetrotter4$
There is a chance that your 2A went to an Air Marshall and no, AA is not allowed to tell you that for obvious reasons. A good phone agent will state it correctly that can clue you into why it was changed, but most will just make up another excuse.
I say this because in ExpertFlyer your seat 2A on AA 106 is now "blocked", not assigned to someone else. The same goes for 1A but that will have been "blocked" before for a crew rest seat on the 777-200.
I have had this happen as a CK and there is nothing you can do nor can they. I know it does not make it better, but at least you may understand why AA is not may not be wholly to blame if this is the case.
Another explanation would be a known issue with that specific seat on that aircraft that will not be fixed before you fly. That one you can pin on AA if it is the case. If you fly today, you might note who, if anyone, sits in 2A. I can usually spot an Air Marshall and of course if it is empty, then it could be broken.
As for the OP issue, it doesn't sound like this is the same Air Marshall issue but you never know. It can happen on domestic flights too. I have never lost my seat assignment in the US (I have been lucky on equipment changes), but it sounds like it happens quite often.
You raise a very interesting point. I haven't thought about this. The supervisor was very nice and fully sympathetic to my concern. He clearly knew much more than what he was telling me. I understood that. He tried to help in many different ways, but it seemed the things were beyond his (or the seat reservation department's) control. He did mention that the outcome wouldn't be different even if I were a CK. I don't have a membership in Expert Flyer (I know, I should get it), but your observation about seat 2A is very interesting. If that is the case, then I certainly will not blame AA.
But my point is bigger than this single incidence. AA needs to do better.