I need your advice on how to deal with an awful flight experience
#61
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
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If the problem were a "normal" IDB (normally caused by overselling a flight) then this compensation would be correct. In this case, the IDB resulted from obvious incompetence on the part of AA which, in my opinion, combined with the third IDB, should clearly require more compensation.
#62
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
I sometimes travel with an aging parent and I feel for you. One bit of advice, as another already mentioned, is take a non-stop whenever possible. I would add that a non-stop is the way to go even if it means inconvenience or extra ground transportation expenses at the origin or to get you to your ultimate destination.
#63
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,316
I sometimes travel with an aging parent and I feel for you. One bit of advice, as another already mentioned, is take a non-stop whenever possible. I would add that a non-stop is the way to go even if it means inconvenience or extra ground transportation expenses at the origin or to get you to your ultimate destination.
#64
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Most of us seem to be flabbergasted to death by the sum which appeared at the end of the OP's odyssey.
But... the sum of $875 just arose from multipling "the remaining flight coupons value" by EIGHT (2 IDB, each 400%).
Meaning: the coupons were merely ~$100
Would you believe your eyes and survive consecutive astonishment if AA HAD to multiply, say, $ 500?
But... the sum of $875 just arose from multipling "the remaining flight coupons value" by EIGHT (2 IDB, each 400%).
Meaning: the coupons were merely ~$100
Would you believe your eyes and survive consecutive astonishment if AA HAD to multiply, say, $ 500?
#65
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
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Posts: 3,581
It seems to me like flying to ABQ, getting a hotel there, and handling the ground transportation the next morning would have been less stressful than hanging around DFW and boarding at 5am. YMMV, I suppose.
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 302
I'm not sure how many of you have flown with a 92 year old. While she is "all there", she does tend to get a bit cranky when tired (as we all do) and flying to a place that isn't the final destination to arrive at 2am certainly isn't the preferred route if there is an alternative - especially after an already long day.
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 302
Or, when flying to OP's destination of Santa Fe, with air service from a grand total of THREE CITIES, if that's not your originating city, then OP should just do what they did and book a connection, perhaps being less picky 3 days before Christmas on alternate flights offered when things go South.
#68
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SBY
Programs: AA, UA, NH
Posts: 184
#69
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
What is one meant to do? You gave no detail other than to suggest reregulation. With zero detail. Are we meant to read your mind as to how far you want that to go?
#70
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I'm not a think tank analyst; I'm an IBB commenter. If you are destined to jump to ridiculous conclusions in the absence of detail, I can't help you.
I said reregulation regarding basic IRROPS and seating should be considered. I still say it. In my mind, that means minimum seat pitch regulations (which already exist for exit rows, so could easily be created for non-exit rows); minimum seat width; and stronger IRROPS requirements for lodging and meals involving delays, with fewer exemptions for "weather."
#71
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,316
I said reregulation regarding basic IRROPS and seating should be considered. I still say it. In my mind, that means minimum seat pitch regulations (which already exist for exit rows, so could easily be created for non-exit rows); minimum seat width; and stronger IRROPS requirements for lodging and meals involving delays, with fewer exemptions for "weather."
Just....No,
We are getting WAYYYYY off topic. Start a thread about regulating the airlines for seat pitch and what they have to do for IRROPS if you are passionate about that.
PS The reason there are minimum seat pitch regulations for exit row seating is due to SAFETY. Let's not turn the industry into a nanny state.
#72
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 302
I believe it is the same everywhere. These guys are on their feet all day long, have to know the airport (some don't but that is off-topic) and the 10 or so we encountered on this trip were extremely friendly and helpful, suggested bathroom stops and seemed genuinely interested in helping. That's when I don't mind tipping.
#73
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OKA
Programs: AA Gold, UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 467
So what did you do, OP?
What's missing from many of the responses you received is an interpretation of just how quickly AA jumped to offer you compensation. My interpretation is that this is not out of "generosity" but out of a realization of how badly they screwed up.
Since it seems that they do have some realization of fault in this instance, and you believe that you are due for 3 IDBs instead of two, why not follow up with something like "Thanks for reviewing my complaint. I have gone over everything and I believe that my mother incurred a second IDB on flight xxxx. Can you please advise whether you agree and if so, what the appropriate additional compensation would be?" They may be willing to bite. If so, you've got approx $2000 in compensation and at that point I would definitely let it drop unless you just like the frustration of haggling / satisfaction of getting a bigger check.
What's missing from many of the responses you received is an interpretation of just how quickly AA jumped to offer you compensation. My interpretation is that this is not out of "generosity" but out of a realization of how badly they screwed up.
Since it seems that they do have some realization of fault in this instance, and you believe that you are due for 3 IDBs instead of two, why not follow up with something like "Thanks for reviewing my complaint. I have gone over everything and I believe that my mother incurred a second IDB on flight xxxx. Can you please advise whether you agree and if so, what the appropriate additional compensation would be?" They may be willing to bite. If so, you've got approx $2000 in compensation and at that point I would definitely let it drop unless you just like the frustration of haggling / satisfaction of getting a bigger check.