AA bumps teacher chaperoning middle school field trip
Apr 12, 2019, 5:10 pm
#16
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Here is a link to the fox version of the story. https://www.foxnews.com/travel/teacher-claims-american-airlines-bumped-him-from-plane-sent-16-middle-schoolers-home-alone
Also one thing to note, which doesn't help clarify whether this truly was voluntary or involuntary, but in their response to the customer they stated that it was due to an aircraft change, which according to the dot website, precludes them from having to give idb compensation, correct?
Also if it were idb, aren't they supposed to give him documentation explaining his rights in that scenario?
Also one thing to note, which doesn't help clarify whether this truly was voluntary or involuntary, but in their response to the customer they stated that it was due to an aircraft change, which according to the dot website, precludes them from having to give idb compensation, correct?
Also if it were idb, aren't they supposed to give him documentation explaining his rights in that scenario?
Apr 12, 2019, 6:24 pm
#17
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I personally find it ridiculous that an aircraft substitution doesn't afford the same compensation as a "standard" IDB. I get that they didn't necessarily oversell that aircraft, but due to the sheer inconvenience, it should be treated the same. Or at a minimum, if they ending up having to IDB more people than would have even fit on the original aircraft, then all of those people should be treated as a standard IDB. Just IMO
Apr 12, 2019, 7:09 pm
#18
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I personally find it ridiculous that an aircraft substitution doesn't afford the same compensation as a "standard" IDB. I get that they didn't necessarily oversell that aircraft, but due to the sheer inconvenience, it should be treated the same. Or at a minimum, if they ending up having to IDB more people than would have even fit on the original aircraft, then all of those people should be treated as a standard IDB. Just IMO
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-250
Apr 12, 2019, 7:11 pm
#19
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Always fun to post some random article and then discount the facts. Why let them get in the way?
The formal response quoted in USA Today, issued by AA indicates that the guy received a $525 VDB voucher before he raised a fuss. That response also points to AA's duty under DOT rules to solicit volunteers before IDB.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
I would be a little less flippant about the accusations unless you have more than a story you read in the paper.
The formal response quoted in USA Today, issued by AA indicates that the guy received a $525 VDB voucher before he raised a fuss. That response also points to AA's duty under DOT rules to solicit volunteers before IDB.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
I would be a little less flippant about the accusations unless you have more than a story you read in the paper.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:33 pm
#20
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The formal response quoted in USA Today, issued by AA indicates that the guy received a $525 VDB voucher before he raised a fuss. That response also points to AA's duty under DOT rules to solicit volunteers before IDB.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
It's rather offensive to the chaperone to suggest he willfully abandoned those kids, without any ironclad evidence that he said "Yes, screw these kids and their medications, give me $525."
Apr 12, 2019, 11:54 pm
#21
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Always fun to post some random article and then discount the facts. Why let them get in the way?
The formal response quoted in USA Today, issued by AA indicates that the guy received a $525 VDB voucher before he raised a fuss. That response also points to AA's duty under DOT rules to solicit volunteers before IDB.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
I would be a little less flippant about the accusations unless you have more than a story you read in the paper.
The formal response quoted in USA Today, issued by AA indicates that the guy received a $525 VDB voucher before he raised a fuss. That response also points to AA's duty under DOT rules to solicit volunteers before IDB.
To top it off, AA as a corporation and any of its employees who recorded an IDB as a VDB have caused a false report to be made to DOT. That is a felony.
I would be a little less flippant about the accusations unless you have more than a story you read in the paper.
"According to our records, and after we consulted with our team in Washington D.C., as well, he volunteered," American Airlines spokesman Ross Feinstein told USA TODAY. "As part of that process, he received compensation as a volunteer in addition to American paying for his hotel accommodation for the night and meals. We always seek volunteers before denying anyone boarding."
"Our customer relations team has also reached out to him directly regarding his concerns," Feinstein added. Link
"Our customer relations team has also reached out to him directly regarding his concerns," Feinstein added. Link
Apr 12, 2019, 11:58 pm
#22
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I don't see the problem. This was the flight HOME!
Why should he be exempt from overbooking?
If there was an issue with meds, he could have given them to the OTHER chaperone.
It is possible to buy a ticket that prevents you from being overbooked.
This seems to be making a non story into a story.
As others have pointed out, the overbooking was due to a change of aircraft, a situation that would have not required AA to pay IDB.
I am also appalled at reporting these days
The "Daily Mail" stated the ages as 8 to 11
Others have stated the ages as 11-14
As this was a middle school, the Daily Mail clearly appears to be wrong. I guess they are about as reliable as "The Sun" which needs to boost sales by what it does on Page 3.
Why should he be exempt from overbooking?
If there was an issue with meds, he could have given them to the OTHER chaperone.
It is possible to buy a ticket that prevents you from being overbooked.
This seems to be making a non story into a story.
As others have pointed out, the overbooking was due to a change of aircraft, a situation that would have not required AA to pay IDB.
I am also appalled at reporting these days
The "Daily Mail" stated the ages as 8 to 11
Others have stated the ages as 11-14
As this was a middle school, the Daily Mail clearly appears to be wrong. I guess they are about as reliable as "The Sun" which needs to boost sales by what it does on Page 3.
Last edited by mvoight; Apr 13, 2019 at 12:07 am
Apr 13, 2019, 12:07 am
#23
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Protip for AA PR department. Nobody believes you when you say the guy volunteered. Most of the country isn't as stupid as PR people believe.
Just apologize and get Doug Parker to come on record to say he will review policies for overbooked flights that have groups of kids.
Just apologize and get Doug Parker to come on record to say he will review policies for overbooked flights that have groups of kids.
That said, when it occurs that you have more people than seats on the plane is choosing a chaperone with a bunch of kids to DB a smart PR choice? Probably not, but the "media" and twitter mob showed their ignorance by falling for some guy who wanted to get his 15mins of social media fame. People get denied boarding every day and this is only "news" (using term lightly :/) because the guy made a big fuss on twitter that everyone fell for and the what about the children angle, completely ignoring the fact the kids had other chaperones with them so its not like a bunch of kids were left unattended to fly home.
Apr 13, 2019, 1:02 am
#24
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It is possible to buy a ticket that prevents you from being overbooked.
Apr 13, 2019, 1:25 am
#25
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I'm not aware of any ticket that can be purchased by the general public that prevents IDBs in all circumstances.
Apr 13, 2019, 1:30 am
#26
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He had a Basic Economy ticket, apparently. That might be where they start looking for IDB.
Apr 13, 2019, 7:40 am
#28
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I personally find it ridiculous that an aircraft substitution doesn't afford the same compensation as a "standard" IDB. I get that they didn't necessarily oversell that aircraft, but due to the sheer inconvenience, it should be treated the same. Or at a minimum, if they ending up having to IDB more people than would have even fit on the original aircraft, then all of those people should be treated as a standard IDB. Just IMO
Apr 13, 2019, 7:49 am
#29
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Same here, it is not the customers fault it is the airlines fault that they subbed aircraft, they should be responsible, also I think IDB should be on a sliding scale by how much the customer is delayed. You IDB someone on the last flight of the day and they can't get home till the next day it is 20 x purchase price, a few hours late 4 x etc.
The rules already say the IDB payments are 0, X2, or X4.
