Adelphos

As usual, those posting that this is "self inflicted" are in the wrong. Once AA alerts fliers that a flight is delayed, fliers often delay getting to the airport, go to the restaurant, do errands, etc. If AA then undelays the flight and takes off, passengers are left behind. If AA is pushing delay notifications and showing updated boarding times on mobile boarding passes, it isn't delaying flights, it is rescheduling them.

If AA is uncertain, it is better off not pushing out delay notitications until the normal boarding time. That way, passengers won't delay getting to the gate. The advice that "it is always better to go to the gate" is negated when the airline is actively telling you that you have a new boarding time.

ckx2

Because sometimes there is a replacement aircraft, a crew on standby or who else knows and the flight can leave on time (or with less delay than anticipated), much to the satisfaction of us paying customers. If it's your take to get to the airport later because of a delay announcement - fair enough. Just don't complain afterwards.

Adelphos

If the policy really is that no one should get to the airport late in the case of a delay, then there is an obvious solution: don't notify customers about a delay until after the original departure time.

GoPhils

ckx2

​​​​​​​This would rather increase the unpleasant gate lice information and people questioning the gate agents about when boarding is about to happen. Would that be better? I don't think so.

joe_miami

Some of the replies in this thread are utterly absurd. What's the point of delay notifications if people are supposed to ignore them and get to the airport at the same time?

nutwpinut

This is the best solution, but it may be another 20 years before something like this is implemented
* On Time
* Awaiting takeoff window possible delay 30 minutes (Keep original time on boarding pass and don't print the delayed time)
* Delayed 60 minutes (Print delayed time on boarding pass)

deac83

And if you have a tight connection? Surprise we didn't tell you about the delay so everyone would show up at the airport, but now you have no options.

Not to mention that at some airports, i.e. LAX, knowing there is a delay can be the difference between just making an earlier flight (i.e. going right to the gate of the earlier flight) and actually sitting around for an extra few hours.

If the information is wrong that's one thing, if it's just dynamic and changing that's another.

ckx2

To make arrangements? To get on an earlier flight? To get re-routed?
Most of the time a flight is announced with a delay, it's unlikely to be pushed back on time - but it can happen. Still doesn't mean you can simply show up to the airport later because of your convenience.

Doppy

One benefit to letting people know about a possible or likely delay ahead of time is that they may be able to make alternative plans, particularly if they have a connection or other reason to try to arrive on time.

Christmas Eve I was planning to fly home in time for dinner with family. Up until 10 minutes before departure, the screens, app, and AAgents were saying the flight was on time, despite the fact that we hadn't started boarding. 8 minutes before departure they announce the plane is still at the gate at an airport a 90 minute flight away. Unless they were counting on a Christmas miracle, AA ops knew well before 10 minutes prior to departure that the flight was not on time. But they waited until the last minute to tell the passengers, by which time it was too late to make any alternative plans and sticking us with a three hour delay. Had they told us a bit earlier, there were other options to still get in around the originally scheduled time.

craz

I dont have enough fingers and toes to count the # of times my flight was delayed by at least an hour, and ended up leaving on time. Either they found a part they needed, found a work around, used a plane that wasnt full going elsewhere instead, etc etc

yea it stinks when it actually departs at the new later time and I sit around wasting my time, but 1- Id rather be informed 2- I dont want to go thru what the OP did

OP made some major mistakes besides not arriving as if it wasnt delayed. 1m is never do anything on your own that you dont want to end up coming out of your own pocket. to avoid that a person must get the carrier to put in the PNR what ever alternative plans was agreed to , if none were then assume its all on your own dime when I think I might end up holding teh bag , I look for every possible work around, so Id ask AA which carriers do you still work with and whats the closest airport you can get me into, I might have to spring for a 1 way rental car but it should cost alot less then a tkt would especially x2

Even thou I will get there as if there wasnt a delay,I still want the alerts so I can have backup plans should the flight be CXed or an extensive delay

Often1

Wind direction changes, another aircraft goes MX opening a slot, or whatever. No sane carrier is going to hold the aircraft for an hour. It just doesn't work that way. You want US commercial aviation to change that, best of luck.

I would much prefer to see the dynamic changes in schedule and make my own informed judgments rather than have them made for me by a carrier which is worried that it will be vilified because ATC found a slot for it so it need not take a delay.

Mauibaby2008

mvoight

I have also delayed going to the airport after getting a message from AA
However, in reviewing my latest email about a delay, it does say "Please note that times and locations are subject to change."
Given that, I think it is fair to assume you need to be at the airport a the original time to be protected if the flight leaves early, especially if you have something important scheduled

Offshore171