Originally Posted by volleyca
I was quite upset last night. I had a connection in LAX to MIA and the flight was late from SFO. AA held the flight next to mine for 15 pas but did not hold my flight for 3 minutes even though I am an EXP. I was upset as they said they do not hold flights but they had just finished annoucing that they were holding the other flight.
Would not have been as upset except it was the red-eye. Does anyone know the rules on holding planes?
The rules are simple. NO! Holding flights can cause delays which ripple through the system. Now, the flight you said did hold for 15 Pax may have done so because it was the final flight of the day for that number, in other words, it wasn't continuing on or doing a turn around. The flight you were on however, being a red-eye, was most likely due in MIA for a kick off flight the following morning and had to be there, and on time for a myriad of reasons, including any maintenance, cabin service, etc.
AA folks loathe delays, they get their a$$ chewed for delays unless they are weather related and beyond their control.
It's unfortunate they left without you but, if the flight connection was that tight, your luggage wouldn't have made it either. Most of the carriers are running the snot out of their tin these days so I doubt any other carrier would have waited for you either and your status has nothing to do with it. With weather in South Florida right now being a mess, I'm not surprised they don't want to mess around with schedule delays. Sucks to get stranded on a red-eye. If the flight was late for AA's fault getting into SFO, did they at least put you up for the night?