5 AA Platinums were supposed to fly TVC-ORD-DFW First Class (miles ticket). We were supposed to land in DFW at 3:55pm.

Due to mechanical problems TVC-ORD was going to be delayed, thus we were going to be unable to connect to ORD-DFW at a reasonable time.

AA put us on the TVC-DTW flight on NWA connecting to AA DTW-DFW to land in DFW at 7pm.

Even though NWA was on-time and we walked, took trains, buses, etc. as fast as we could, we arrived at the AA gate 5 minutes before departure.

They claimed the flight was closed. I told them we were 5 platinums in DTW because of a mechanical delay from AA.

Even though they stated the flight was closed, the supervisor still let 2 more people board after we arrived to the gate (probably our seats).

I requested for the flight to be stopped and for our seats be given back to us. We were accused of being late, told we should have expected this with this connection (that we did not request), that we would ‘only’ be late to DFW by 2 hours (5 from when we were supposed to be there), and that somehow we had violated the rules.

The supervisor NEVER said that she could not get people out of the plane, she just said she would not. Furthermore she lied when she said the flight was closed, but still checked in two more people.

Furthermore, the airplane was still at the gate for 4-5 minutes after we began discussing this.

Obviously, I am upset. We followed all the rules. And were understanding and complacent with the mechanical problem, With the frustration of the situation, we were more insulted and angered with the attitude of the supervisor in DTW.

Was my request reasonable…force them to take people out of the airplane and let us board?

What should I do if something like this happens in the future?

What would be appropriate compensation?

We were already on the fence on switching our loyalty to UA, so how AA responds will make a big difference.

*** Update ***

So we have had time relflect on the events.

Ok, wanting for them to hold the airplane, even though possible, was not reasonable. We would have taken any seat available, however.

Upon analysis I had a problem on how the supervisor handled the situation. Even at the end she was still blaiming us for 'knowing that we could not make that connection in DTW.'

She was not apologetic at all for the problems that AA caused, but kept hinting that it was all our fault.

We got into Dallas at 9pm (missed our dinner appointments).

Our bags made the first DTW flight (7pm) and were waiting for us [only bright spot of the day].

These FC tickets were purchased with miles, what would be apporopriate compensation for the delay[S] and the attituted?