Gate agent upgrades friend / employee over FF
Oct 26, 2018, 9:26 am
#16
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OP should really try that reach out attempt again. It sounds like the Twitter response was just a blanket reply.
OP deserves a personal response.
OP deserves a personal response.
Oct 26, 2018, 9:29 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2016
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Happened to my wife during IROPS on a paid first, well a Y-up. She was rebooked into Y (and of course got her $33.00 fair difference). She saw the gate agent and her friend talking by the counter then saw the same friend in F after boarding. Sent a complaint and got the usual boilerplate non-response. American airlines really is terrible.
Oct 26, 2018, 9:30 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
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I don't see anything wrong here?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
Oct 26, 2018, 9:37 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2018
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I don't see anything wrong here?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
Oct 26, 2018, 9:43 am
#21
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,280
I don't see anything wrong here?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
Someone correct me please If I am wrong, but I guess this is how it worked:
1. The chatty friend was probably a non-rev. Non-Revs are entitled to First Class seats, if available.
2. There is no combination of keystrokes or typing by which the GA can add a pax to the upgrade list, if the pax is on standby for Y. Also, it is also impossible to have the computer add you to the upgrade list automatically once you are cleared in Y.
3. Economy was full with several pax on stand-by. In order to accommodate all the Y standby pax, the GA has to start working to roll up the cabin, starting with the ELITES on the upgrade list (you were still a Y standby pax so at this point it is impossible that you could be added to the upgrade list).
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. Non-Rev is given that F seat.
6. A handful of Y seats are now available. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
7. As F is full, you are no longer able to upgrade.
Isn't that how it works?
To correct your order
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. A handful of Y seats are now available. Paid tickets on standby are cleared into Y. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
6. Any remaining upgrades should be processed for the now-confirmed passengers. [Gate agent refused to do this, making up a policy stating OP couldn't be added to the upgrade list, even though he is now a confirmed passenger]
7. Non-rev standbys are cleared into the best available remaining seats
You can see this was the process that was followed because OP had a boarding pass in hand prior to the "friend" being called up and given a boarding pass/cleared onto the flight. So the non-rev cleared after the OP, but gate agent refused to add OP to upgrade list which would have taken the FC seat. Additionally rereading the post. There were 2 FC seats available, so the "friend" took 1 of those. OP still should have been allowed to upgrade into that remaining FC seat.
Last edited by Lux Flyer; Oct 26, 2018 at 9:50 am
Oct 26, 2018, 10:20 am
#22
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Oct 26, 2018, 10:27 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2002
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How does one escalate. The inane responses sometimes continue when you reply to their first inane response.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:29 am
#24
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No, because the non-rev is (likely) flying standby. All the paid standbys should be cleared and upgrades processed for them before any non-rev flying standby is accommodated. Non-revs are entitled to the best, last available seats on the plane.
To correct your order
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. A handful of Y seats are now available. Paid tickets on standby are cleared into Y. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
6. Any remaining upgrades should be processed for the now-confirmed passengers. [Gate agent refused to do this, making up a policy stating OP couldn't be added to the upgrade list, even though he is now a confirmed passenger]
7. Non-rev standbys are cleared into the best available remaining seats
You can see this was the process that was followed because OP had a boarding pass in hand prior to the "friend" being called up and given a boarding pass/cleared onto the flight. So the non-rev cleared after the OP, but gate agent refused to add OP to upgrade list which would have taken the FC seat. Additionally rereading the post. There were 2 FC seats available, so the "friend" took 1 of those. OP still should have been allowed to upgrade into that remaining FC seat.
To correct your order
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. A handful of Y seats are now available. Paid tickets on standby are cleared into Y. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
6. Any remaining upgrades should be processed for the now-confirmed passengers. [Gate agent refused to do this, making up a policy stating OP couldn't be added to the upgrade list, even though he is now a confirmed passenger]
7. Non-rev standbys are cleared into the best available remaining seats
You can see this was the process that was followed because OP had a boarding pass in hand prior to the "friend" being called up and given a boarding pass/cleared onto the flight. So the non-rev cleared after the OP, but gate agent refused to add OP to upgrade list which would have taken the FC seat. Additionally rereading the post. There were 2 FC seats available, so the "friend" took 1 of those. OP still should have been allowed to upgrade into that remaining FC seat.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:47 am
#25
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I've been told by numerous gate agents that one first must clear the standby list then if any open seats remain in F after all previous upgrades are confirmed (paxs that were originally scheduled on that flight and upgraded) then you can move from Y to F (assuming for example you have sufficient stickers to do so.) I believe that a non rever always comes behind a revenue pax (including those on mileage awards). My hunch is that since it was a short flight the GA thought the OP would just forget about it.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:49 am
#26
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Oct 26, 2018, 10:55 am
#27
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I am not an expert on this, but I think you are creating a "requirement" for step 6 that doesn't exist. Usually upgrades are processed, then the standby list (including non-revs if there are seats) is processed and the flight is closed. Doesn't mean people haven't been upgraded when on standby, but I don't think there's any procedural requirement.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:57 am
#28
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Once you have reported it, it becomes an issue between AA and the employee. Of course it would be satisfying to you to have the GA reprimanded (or worse), but even if that happens, they won't tell you about it.
The responses here help, though.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:57 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 3,646
No, because the non-rev is (likely) flying standby. All the paid standbys should be cleared and upgrades processed for them before any non-rev flying standby is accommodated. Non-revs are entitled to the best, last available seats on the plane.
To correct your order
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. A handful of Y seats are now available. Paid tickets on standby are cleared into Y. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
6. Any remaining upgrades should be processed for the now-confirmed passengers. [Gate agent refused to do this, making up a policy stating OP couldn't be added to the upgrade list, even though he is now a confirmed passenger]
7. Non-rev standbys are cleared into the best available remaining seats
You can see this was the process that was followed because OP had a boarding pass in hand prior to the "friend" being called up and given a boarding pass/cleared onto the flight. So the non-rev cleared after the OP, but gate agent refused to add OP to upgrade list which would have taken the FC seat. Additionally rereading the post. There were 2 FC seats available, so the "friend" took 1 of those. OP still should have been allowed to upgrade into that remaining FC seat.
To correct your order
4. Elite pax and others (miles upgrade, etc) on the upgrade list are cleared to F. After all upgrades are cleared, there is still one F seat available.
5. A handful of Y seats are now available. Paid tickets on standby are cleared into Y. As you are #1 on the list, you get one of those seats.
6. Any remaining upgrades should be processed for the now-confirmed passengers. [Gate agent refused to do this, making up a policy stating OP couldn't be added to the upgrade list, even though he is now a confirmed passenger]
7. Non-rev standbys are cleared into the best available remaining seats
You can see this was the process that was followed because OP had a boarding pass in hand prior to the "friend" being called up and given a boarding pass/cleared onto the flight. So the non-rev cleared after the OP, but gate agent refused to add OP to upgrade list which would have taken the FC seat. Additionally rereading the post. There were 2 FC seats available, so the "friend" took 1 of those. OP still should have been allowed to upgrade into that remaining FC seat.
Mainly because there is no place on the system to save or make a note that a standby pax with a cleared Y seat was also willing to upgrade to F. The system does not accommodate such reminder, that I know of.
Once upgrades and standby pax are processed, the GA wants to get the flight out ASAP. A GA can't remember on the top of his head that there were certain pax on standby that wanted to get on F - unless F was noticeably empty. Also GAs get all sorts of valid and crazy requests and they can't remember everybody.
In a large flight where 20 pax cleared to Y, how is the GA supposed to remember who were the elites that also wanted to get on the upgrade list?
The GA did not make the rule that you can't get on the upgrade list while you are on standby for Y. It is not possible.
To the OP: when they paged you and gave you your Y boarding pass, you should have immediately requested to be put on the upgrade list (as it was only then that the GA could have added you) and not get in line to board.
It seems what happened was that the non-rev was on standby for F, you were not (you did not request it at the time it was possible)
Oct 26, 2018, 11:05 am
#30
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 3,646
What is being argued is that once standby pax are cleared, the GA has no obligation to add those cleared pax to the upgrade list. It is up to the pax to ask the GA to be added to the upgrade list but only once pax has Y boarding pass in hand.
Last edited by carlosdca; Oct 26, 2018 at 11:52 am