Possible non-rev and broken seat issue and how to report
Aug 7, 2017, 8:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
Possible non-rev and broken seat issue and how to report
I'm seeking guidance on whether and how to report an issue I experienced yesterday.
I was booked on a 4:30 flight yesterday from JFK-SFO, in F. We spent a little too much time in the Flagship Dining, so didn't leave the lounge until 4:05, and made it to the gate at 4:15.
The gate area was empty and the GA was printing the manifest. She asked for our BPs and told us we weren't checked in for the flight, so we would have to take a later flight.
I protested and said there was no way for us to get BPs without being checked in, which we did the day before online, and again at an outstation when dropping off our bags on our way to JFK. I told her our BPs were scanned at the lounge as well, so we had no indication there was anything amiss with our check-in status.
She asked us to wait at the gate and came back accompanied by 3-4 passengers, at least 2 of whom appeared to be in uniform. She told us to take our seats.
I'm not sure what the timing is on closing the gate - but had the GA told us we were late, we probably would have accepted that and just taken a later flight. My guess is that we were unchecked in to accommodate the non-revs - is this possible?
My seat, 2A, had an inoperative sticker on the seat controls as did 3A. I advised the FA prior to take-off and she said I could use 3F once we were airborne.
As soon as the 10K feet ding sounded, the passenger in 3A approached the galley, had a friendly and chatty discussion with the FA, and came back and took seat 3F.
During meal service, I asked the FA again if I could have a functional seat, as I wanted some rest, and she said she would just have to manually adjust the seat for me. Not ideal, as I would have preferred spending some of the flight in a position other than full upright or full flat.
While I'm not certain, based on appearance, demeanor and the crew type carry on bags, I think the passenger originally in 3A may have been a non-rev. If she was, I think AA should know about this.
I have mixed feelings about making a complaint. If we were late to the gate, I'm appreciative for the GA getting us on the flight.
Ideally, however, it would have been clear to the GA that we were coming, and arrangements for functional seats would have been made prior to boarding and processing gate upgrades and standbys.
I think at a minimum I'm due some miles for the non-operative seat. Any thoughts on how best to communicate this to AA and anything else I should mention?
Thanks in advance.
I was booked on a 4:30 flight yesterday from JFK-SFO, in F. We spent a little too much time in the Flagship Dining, so didn't leave the lounge until 4:05, and made it to the gate at 4:15.
The gate area was empty and the GA was printing the manifest. She asked for our BPs and told us we weren't checked in for the flight, so we would have to take a later flight.
I protested and said there was no way for us to get BPs without being checked in, which we did the day before online, and again at an outstation when dropping off our bags on our way to JFK. I told her our BPs were scanned at the lounge as well, so we had no indication there was anything amiss with our check-in status.
She asked us to wait at the gate and came back accompanied by 3-4 passengers, at least 2 of whom appeared to be in uniform. She told us to take our seats.
I'm not sure what the timing is on closing the gate - but had the GA told us we were late, we probably would have accepted that and just taken a later flight. My guess is that we were unchecked in to accommodate the non-revs - is this possible?
My seat, 2A, had an inoperative sticker on the seat controls as did 3A. I advised the FA prior to take-off and she said I could use 3F once we were airborne.
As soon as the 10K feet ding sounded, the passenger in 3A approached the galley, had a friendly and chatty discussion with the FA, and came back and took seat 3F.
During meal service, I asked the FA again if I could have a functional seat, as I wanted some rest, and she said she would just have to manually adjust the seat for me. Not ideal, as I would have preferred spending some of the flight in a position other than full upright or full flat.
While I'm not certain, based on appearance, demeanor and the crew type carry on bags, I think the passenger originally in 3A may have been a non-rev. If she was, I think AA should know about this.
I have mixed feelings about making a complaint. If we were late to the gate, I'm appreciative for the GA getting us on the flight.
Ideally, however, it would have been clear to the GA that we were coming, and arrangements for functional seats would have been made prior to boarding and processing gate upgrades and standbys.
I think at a minimum I'm due some miles for the non-operative seat. Any thoughts on how best to communicate this to AA and anything else I should mention?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by work2fly; Aug 7, 2017 at 9:04 am
Aug 7, 2017, 9:10 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
You should address the seat issue only. Everything else is irrelevant.
I'm seeking guidance on whether and how to report an issue I experienced yesterday.
I was booked on a 4:30 flight yesterday from JFK-SFO, in F. We spent a little too much time in the Flagship Dining, so didn't leave the lounge until 4:05, and made it to the gate at 4:15.
The gate area was empty and the GA was printing the manifest. She asked for our BPs and told us we weren't checked in for the flight, so we would have to take a later flight.
I protested and said there was no way for us to get BPs without being checked in, which we did the day before online, and again at an outstation when dropping off our bags on our way to JFK. I told her our BPs were scanned at the lounge as well, so we had no indication there was anything amiss with our check-in status.
She asked us to wait at the gate and came back accompanied by 3-4 passengers, at least 2 of whom appeared to be in uniform. She told us to take our seats.
I'm not sure what the timing is on closing the gate - but had the GA told us we were late, we probably would have accepted that and just taken a later flight. My guess is that we were unchecked in to accommodate the non-revs - is this possible?
My seat, 2A, had an inoperative sticker on the seat controls as did 3A. I advised the FA prior to take-off and she said I could use 3F once we were airborne.
As soon as the 10K feet ding sounded, the passenger in 3A approached the galley, had a friendly and chatty discussion with the FA, and came back and took seat 3F.
During meal service, I asked the FA again if I could have a functional seat, as I wanted some rest, and she said she would just have to manually adjust the seat for me. Not ideal, as I would have preferred spending some of the flight in a position other than full upright or full flat.
While I'm not certain, based on appearance, demeanor and the crew type carry on bags, I think the passenger originally in 3A may have been a non-rev. If she was, I think AA should know about this.
I have mixed feelings about making a complaint. If we were late to the gate, I'm appreciative for the GA getting us on the flight.
Ideally, however, it would have been clear to the GA that we were coming, and arrangements for functional seats would have been made prior to boarding and processing gate upgrades and standbys.
I think at a minimum I'm due some miles for the non-operative seat. Any thoughts on how best to communicate this to AA and anything else I should mention?
Thanks in advance.
I was booked on a 4:30 flight yesterday from JFK-SFO, in F. We spent a little too much time in the Flagship Dining, so didn't leave the lounge until 4:05, and made it to the gate at 4:15.
The gate area was empty and the GA was printing the manifest. She asked for our BPs and told us we weren't checked in for the flight, so we would have to take a later flight.
I protested and said there was no way for us to get BPs without being checked in, which we did the day before online, and again at an outstation when dropping off our bags on our way to JFK. I told her our BPs were scanned at the lounge as well, so we had no indication there was anything amiss with our check-in status.
She asked us to wait at the gate and came back accompanied by 3-4 passengers, at least 2 of whom appeared to be in uniform. She told us to take our seats.
I'm not sure what the timing is on closing the gate - but had the GA told us we were late, we probably would have accepted that and just taken a later flight. My guess is that we were unchecked in to accommodate the non-revs - is this possible?
My seat, 2A, had an inoperative sticker on the seat controls as did 3A. I advised the FA prior to take-off and she said I could use 3F once we were airborne.
As soon as the 10K feet ding sounded, the passenger in 3A approached the galley, had a friendly and chatty discussion with the FA, and came back and took seat 3F.
During meal service, I asked the FA again if I could have a functional seat, as I wanted some rest, and she said she would just have to manually adjust the seat for me. Not ideal, as I would have preferred spending some of the flight in a position other than full upright or full flat.
While I'm not certain, based on appearance, demeanor and the crew type carry on bags, I think the passenger originally in 3A may have been a non-rev. If she was, I think AA should know about this.
I have mixed feelings about making a complaint. If we were late to the gate, I'm appreciative for the GA getting us on the flight.
Ideally, however, it would have been clear to the GA that we were coming, and arrangements for functional seats would have been made prior to boarding and processing gate upgrades and standbys.
I think at a minimum I'm due some miles for the non-operative seat. Any thoughts on how best to communicate this to AA and anything else I should mention?
Thanks in advance.
Aug 7, 2017, 9:20 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
That's really cutting it close, I don't think you have too much ground to stand on.
Aug 7, 2017, 10:13 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Well, if they were actually there at 4:15 then it may be cutting it close, but they were compliant with the conditions of carriage. If it was later than that, then technically AA could have sent the flight off without them. But it's a binary point--either they met the requirement to be there 15 minutes in advance or they didn't; how close to the cutoff doesn't change the fact that a GA can't just boot you off the flight at T-17 or somesuch.
Aug 7, 2017, 10:15 am
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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Posts: 62,948
Forget about your departure issues; AA recommends being at the gate 30 minutes prior to departure, and cuts off arriving at the gate to board 15 or 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. You say 4:15 for a 4:30 flight. 4:15, 4:16 means technically you could be denied. Whose clock, how many seconds - that's entirely too close, IMO.
Conditions of Carriage
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: 30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
As to the seat issue, AA is likely to give you some miles in compensation - regardless of whether the passenger in 3A was nonrev or not. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t=Compensation
Communicate with AA the usual way. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Conditions of Carriage
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: 30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
As to the seat issue, AA is likely to give you some miles in compensation - regardless of whether the passenger in 3A was nonrev or not. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t=Compensation
Communicate with AA the usual way. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 7, 2017 at 10:21 am
Aug 7, 2017, 10:23 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
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Posts: 4,596
Aug 7, 2017, 10:29 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
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Posts: 5,234
JFK boards the LAX/SFO flights early. There are places where they won't notice if you aren't there 15 minutes before departure. The JFK-LAX/SFO flights aren't one of them.
Aug 7, 2017, 11:00 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
Thanks for all the replies.
No question we cut it close, and had we been told we were late, we wouldn't have argued about it.
I'll submit a complaint about the seat issue only and post any sort of response in the compensation thread.
No question we cut it close, and had we been told we were late, we wouldn't have argued about it.
I'll submit a complaint about the seat issue only and post any sort of response in the compensation thread.
Aug 7, 2017, 12:30 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
Forget about your departure issues; AA recommends being at the gate 30 minutes prior to departure, and cuts off arriving at the gate to board 15 or 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. You say 4:15 for a 4:30 flight. 4:15, 4:16 means technically you could be denied. Whose clock, how many seconds - that's entirely too close, IMO.
Conditions of Carriage
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: 30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
As to the seat issue, AA is likely to give you some miles in compensation - regardless of whether the passenger in 3A was nonrev or not. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t=Compensation
Communicate with AA the usual way. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Conditions of Carriage
"Arrival at Gate
You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:
15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -within- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for flights departing from points -outside- the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands, i.e., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda"
For gate arrival, AA states: "Recommended before your flight: 30 minutes
Be at the gate, ready to board. Doors close 10 minutes before departure – once they close you'll be denied boarding."
As to the seat issue, AA is likely to give you some miles in compensation - regardless of whether the passenger in 3A was nonrev or not. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t=Compensation
Communicate with AA the usual way. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-thread.html.
Aug 7, 2017, 1:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
And in the future don't be afraid to politely ask the FA if there are any nonrevs onboard. Twice when I've had an inop seat a nonrev was asked to switch with me. Mind you, this solution was not offered to me proactively.
Aug 7, 2017, 1:20 pm
#15
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