AA2830 MIA-AUS delayed at gate 2 hrs due to seat cushion
Jan 28, 2019, 12:36 pm
#1
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AA2830 MIA-AUS delayed at gate 2 hrs due to seat cushion
Unbelievable experience at MIA yesterday.
Was on AA2830 to AUS. Aircraft was fully boarded shortly before the scheduled departure at 2:12pm. Pilot comes on PA to announce they were waiting on maintenance to replace a seat cushion in Y. What should have been a 15-20 minute repair (per the pilot) turned into a 2 hour and 12 minute "fiasco" (again, the pilot's words). I was seated too far back in the cabin to actually witness the condition of the seat cushion which needed replacement, but for much of the delay, the passenger was seated in the offending seat... waiting like the rest of us.
IMO, this was handled poorly by AA. At some point it seems like they should have simply asked for a volunteer to deplane so the affected person could be re-seated and then we all be on our way.
Was on AA2830 to AUS. Aircraft was fully boarded shortly before the scheduled departure at 2:12pm. Pilot comes on PA to announce they were waiting on maintenance to replace a seat cushion in Y. What should have been a 15-20 minute repair (per the pilot) turned into a 2 hour and 12 minute "fiasco" (again, the pilot's words). I was seated too far back in the cabin to actually witness the condition of the seat cushion which needed replacement, but for much of the delay, the passenger was seated in the offending seat... waiting like the rest of us.
IMO, this was handled poorly by AA. At some point it seems like they should have simply asked for a volunteer to deplane so the affected person could be re-seated and then we all be on our way.
Jan 28, 2019, 12:53 pm
#2
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Was the flight completely full? Cheap AA isn't going to do a VB for a seat cushion. Also, the pax may have been seated in a MCE seat and the only seats available were non MCE middle seats and the pax refused to switch or be put on a later flight. AA is definitely leagues behind DL in operational performance and recovery.
Jan 28, 2019, 12:55 pm
#3
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Unbelievable experience at MIA yesterday.
Was on AA2830 to AUS. Aircraft was fully boarded shortly before the scheduled departure at 2:12pm. Pilot comes on PA to announce they were waiting on maintenance to replace a seat cushion in Y. What should have been a 15-20 minute repair (per the pilot) turned into a 2 hour and 12 minute "fiasco" (again, the pilot's words). I was seated too far back in the cabin to actually witness the condition of the seat cushion which needed replacement, but for much of the delay, the passenger was seated in the offending seat... waiting like the rest of us.
IMO, this was handled poorly by AA. At some point it seems like they should have simply asked for a volunteer to deplane so the affected person could be re-seated and then we all be on our way.
Was on AA2830 to AUS. Aircraft was fully boarded shortly before the scheduled departure at 2:12pm. Pilot comes on PA to announce they were waiting on maintenance to replace a seat cushion in Y. What should have been a 15-20 minute repair (per the pilot) turned into a 2 hour and 12 minute "fiasco" (again, the pilot's words). I was seated too far back in the cabin to actually witness the condition of the seat cushion which needed replacement, but for much of the delay, the passenger was seated in the offending seat... waiting like the rest of us.
IMO, this was handled poorly by AA. At some point it seems like they should have simply asked for a volunteer to deplane so the affected person could be re-seated and then we all be on our way.
Jan 28, 2019, 1:10 pm
#4
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+1 ... I am sure what started out as a simple repair somehow went sideways (especially if maintenance actually showed up within the 15 minutes the pilot quoted). Also as MIA is a hub they probably had the spare part there so if they didn't fix then the plane would fly at least 2 legs with a broken seat (so they'd potentially have to bump someone from another flight). So agreed that they did the right thing but I also see how this would be very frustrating to a passenger to be delayed 2 hours for something seemingly so simple and quick to fix!
Jan 28, 2019, 1:19 pm
#5
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It could have been also explained as a seat cushion issue by the pilot, when the issue could have been more serious. As others mentioned, its always better to do maintenance at a hub.
We had some idiot break an overhead bin trying to smash a bag into it that far too big at a tiny eagle outstation. Result was a mess.
We had some idiot break an overhead bin trying to smash a bag into it that far too big at a tiny eagle outstation. Result was a mess.
Jan 28, 2019, 1:52 pm
#6
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Was the flight completely full? Cheap AA isn't going to do a VB for a seat cushion. Also, the pax may have been seated in a MCE seat and the only seats available were non MCE middle seats and the pax refused to switch or be put on a later flight. AA is definitely leagues behind DL in operational performance and recovery.
To the other responses, yes it does make sense they wanted to handle this repair at a hub.
The pilot was clearly irritated that it took so long. The passengers were amazing patient, though, and the flight attendants thanked everyone repeatedly for that...
Jan 28, 2019, 2:00 pm
#7
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And they’re not going to let aircrew volunteer to get a part.
Jan 28, 2019, 2:13 pm
#8
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Currently it’s not unusual for requested parts to get their own frequent traveler miles or take some time to get to the aircraft, or for required repairs to be completed yet have the log (required on the aircraft to be able to fly) take a circuitous routing or be delayed. AFAIK, it’s because the mechanics don’t have a signed contract and it’s their way of telling management they’re unhappy.
And they’re not going to let aircrew volunteer to get a part.
And they’re not going to let aircrew volunteer to get a part.
Jan 28, 2019, 2:54 pm
#9
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Was it an exit row seat? I understand there are some specifics to seat support (it has to be a different construction so people won't put their feet through the bottom when clamoring for the exit) that could have needed more time. Odd. Unfortunate.
Jan 28, 2019, 3:48 pm
#10
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On a recent mechanical delay the pilot said it should be a quick fix, and in his words, the employee sent to remedy the issue “must’ve gotten lost”. The pilot had no other explanation as to why it would take that long. I do wonder about purposeful work slowdowns as JDiver mentioned.
Jan 28, 2019, 3:52 pm
#11
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It's unfortunate when the Captain, supposedly a professional, turns a repair into a labor dispute.
It takes however long it takes. No, the mechanic did not get lost. More than likely completing some other task.
These things all seem simple until they are not. But, if a bolt is actually sheered off, what might have taken 10-15 minutes, winds up taking 90.
It takes however long it takes. No, the mechanic did not get lost. More than likely completing some other task.
These things all seem simple until they are not. But, if a bolt is actually sheered off, what might have taken 10-15 minutes, winds up taking 90.
Jan 28, 2019, 3:53 pm
#12
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Actually, I do believe it may have been an exit row seat. At no time during the few announcements made by the frustrated pilot was there a mention of a safety concern, but if indeed that were the case, it might have helped those of us aboard to understand the situation and the necessity of the repair.
Jan 28, 2019, 8:15 pm
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I haven't seen much evidence of disgruntled pilots lately. To the contrary, they seemed very focused on being customer friendly. Sometimes things just take longer than expected ... particularly if a bunch of things happen at the same time.