Definitely a glitch. If they aren't helpful, write back that they didn't have an accurate number of souls on board for that flight, and suggest that you will write a DOT complaint, that will get it escalated.
DOT does not enforce safety. That's FAA. Nor will DOT get involved with issues involving FFP rules.
Originally Posted by
Antarius
This seems really odd. If you weren't on the manifest, the passenger count would be off and they wouldn't have taken off.
Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
Not AA, but I have definitely been on a commercial flight where the passenger count was off
It's not that uncommon. This is how you get those stories of pax flying to the wrong destination as well. I could especially see it with AA, where the GAs are under so much pressure to get the flight off by D0.