I wish I didn't have to check my bag, but I have a bad back, and circumstances required that I do so. I was flying DCA - JFK (had reasons for doing this as well). I checked the bag 3 1/2 hours before my flight, and when I landed at JFK, I was informed it was held back for wieght and ballance. I attempted to file a claim, but the agent, Christina Walker, refused to help. She told me to come back to JFK tomorrow morning, and I could get the bag then. I explained I needed it delivered to the city, and she said "I told you, come back tomorrow." Her friend, (a non AA airport employee), was hanging out in the room. He then told me "you heard the lady. Get out of here!" I told him that I wasn't leaving until she got a supervisor, or filed the report. He said if I didn't leave he was calling the police. I said fine.
The police came, and asked what the problem was, the agent's friend falsely claimed that I was "making threats." Luckilly I was on the phone with an AA plt agent that was documenting this as it was happening and could verify to the police that no threat was made. I never even raised my voice. The police told them that filing a flase report was a crime, and they left.
Finally, a supervisor came to help. As he was apologizing for her behavior and helping me file the report, the police came back. It turns out the agent went to the back room and called the poice asking for different officers. The same cops came again and told her that if she did this again they would arrest her.
The supervisor said that she would be dealt with severely, and that my bag would be at my home in the morning.

This morning, I called, and my bag was held in DCA again for weight/ballance.
I called the executive office, and they are working on expediting this ... again.
When she read the remarks and saw how thoroughly the supervisor and the plt. desk agent documented it, she said it was clear that I was wronged by AA.

What do you think they did? She offered me a measly 8,000 miles or $100 voucher which went up to $175 when I explained the revenue I've given AA.
$175 for an employee making a false terror threat? My days with AA are growing numbered. (A red eye from LAX to IAD in First class with no pillows or water didn't help either).
I'm thinking of calling a lawyer, maybe they can get some reasonable compensation, and my bag back. Anyone know a lawyer that specializes in this (I have some lawyers in the family, but want someone that specializes in this).

Has anyone had similar experiences with Ms. Walker (I did twice before).

ps. Please don't give me the "you shouldn't check a bag", "you should have taken the shuttle"... and the rest of the shoulda-couldas. I had no choice to do it this way.
pps. the plt desk has been wonderful.