Why don't displaced passengers call AA rather than stand in a long line
May 9, 2019, 11:42 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: DL Gold, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 253
Why do people stand in line for a paper boarding pass? Why do people seated in Group 9 rush the boarding gate when CK is called? Why do people stand in the aisle looking for god knows what while 200+ paxs are waiting to board. Why do people bring a crying baby on a redeye flight (seated in F/J no less)? Answer. If you want to know how stupid human beings can be just go to any airport and take a good look around.
Last edited by DCAFly; May 9, 2019 at 11:43 am Reason: typo!
May 9, 2019, 11:43 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,952
What makes anyone think that when the line is that long at DFW that you won't have a multiple hours wait on the phone too. Plus, when you finally do get to someone, the person at the airport is much more likely to be able to actually help you.
May 9, 2019, 11:43 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
They all used to have Sabre with very few checks and balances. They have Qik now which was rolled out to reduce training costs, but also to increase compliance with policy. AA intentionally restricts access to do things like endorse someone's ticket over to Delta which is reserved for people ticketed in J or EXP/PPro.
May 9, 2019, 11:44 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
This.
Do keep in mind that phone agents cannot give out hotel or meal vouchers. I was in DFW for one of these, 500+ in line- they were giving some vouchers, depending on the flight-specific reasons.
FWIW- I was caught in some DFW weather and was getting a really bad feeling about my DFW-SMF at 10PM. (No gate action, no crew, up to 9:45PM) So I called EXP about 'options' while I was in the gate area. Took 15 to get through, agent comes back and says 'next DFW-SMF is in 3 days, 12/31 in coach. There is a DFW-LAX tomorrow 9AM with one seat in F." as she is telling me this, the gate display changes to 'cancelled". I tell her "book that F to LAX immediately". I booked a hotel, took an uber over, and was in bed by midnight. As I left the airport, it was scenes of the last helicopter out of Saigon....had I not been proactive, it would have sucked.
Do keep in mind that phone agents cannot give out hotel or meal vouchers. I was in DFW for one of these, 500+ in line- they were giving some vouchers, depending on the flight-specific reasons.
FWIW- I was caught in some DFW weather and was getting a really bad feeling about my DFW-SMF at 10PM. (No gate action, no crew, up to 9:45PM) So I called EXP about 'options' while I was in the gate area. Took 15 to get through, agent comes back and says 'next DFW-SMF is in 3 days, 12/31 in coach. There is a DFW-LAX tomorrow 9AM with one seat in F." as she is telling me this, the gate display changes to 'cancelled". I tell her "book that F to LAX immediately". I booked a hotel, took an uber over, and was in bed by midnight. As I left the airport, it was scenes of the last helicopter out of Saigon....had I not been proactive, it would have sucked.
May 9, 2019, 11:49 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,952
May 9, 2019, 12:20 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,933
AA does have an OSO number (which was changed recently) which was probably on the cards being handed out. It's not clear what it gets you but it should be jumping the queues on the normal numbers and reaching an agent with extra authority. There is some anecdotal evidence that it does get you the first of these.
May 9, 2019, 12:28 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
Yes, in order to change your routing you have to have an agent do it for you, the app only allows you to change to options with the same routing change when a travel waiver is in effect. Similar to the same day confirmed feature.
If AA got rid of the same day routing restriction then a whole lot more options would open up on the app that we can change on our own.
AA loves to follow UA/DL and if they asked me if I could pick one thing I want them to copy UA/DL this would be my answer.
If AA got rid of the same day routing restriction then a whole lot more options would open up on the app that we can change on our own.
AA loves to follow UA/DL and if they asked me if I could pick one thing I want them to copy UA/DL this would be my answer.
May 9, 2019, 1:15 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
That's why I pay for an AC membership. The Centurion lounge isn't going to jack for you. AC staff is more likely to call and try to get you a seat if they are somehow locked out from doing so. Not to mention you can go and relax with a drink while they do the re-route/re-issue and print BPs.
May 9, 2019, 1:16 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
May 9, 2019, 1:24 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,028
Those “dragons” as we affectionately call them can be wonderful angels when it comes time to re-booking due to wx. Iropps, etc.
^
May 9, 2019, 1:30 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
May 9, 2019, 2:02 pm
#43
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
And often at that point options can be limited as the system auto rebooks customers drying out inventory on other fights.
With UA I can start proactively making calculated changes 24 hours out.
Last edited by golfingboy; May 9, 2019 at 2:09 pm
May 9, 2019, 2:47 pm
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
It depends. If the flight is a one off cancellation one probably will get through quickly. But yes, true either way you won't get a good response unless you know hubs, routes, etc. The average flyer is clueless. That's why they are handed a BP for a flight that will leave 12-24 hours later.
May 9, 2019, 3:45 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 230
DFW was indeed a mess yesterday. At least scheduling wise, but the airport was probably the calmest i’ve seen it. It was actually a pretty pleasant place to be. TSA was easy, no line at all. Plenty of seats, limited crowding at the gates etc.
I had multiple itinerary changes in the space of 2 hours. 1 by the agents on the phone, 2 in app and 1 through the gate agent. The gate agent at C8/C6 for my changes was great.
I had multiple itinerary changes in the space of 2 hours. 1 by the agents on the phone, 2 in app and 1 through the gate agent. The gate agent at C8/C6 for my changes was great.