AA Meltdown That Started Over the Weekend
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wichita
Posts: 628
AA Meltdown That Started Over the Weekend
I'm surprised no one has posted about the AA (and, to a lesser extent, Sprit) meltdown that began over the weekend. Twitter has been burning up over it and there have been a number of stories in the MSM.
It appears that they have had far fewer than sufficient people than necessary to operate their schedule. It would not be shocking Friday-Saturday since it was the end of the month and flight crews might be out of hours. But, apparently, it was hundreds of airport employees as well and it lasted Sunday through at least today which crew hours should be refreshed. I read a story a few minutes ago that said AA has already cancelled 9% of their flights for tomorrow. Is there some sort of job action in progress?
It appears that they have had far fewer than sufficient people than necessary to operate their schedule. It would not be shocking Friday-Saturday since it was the end of the month and flight crews might be out of hours. But, apparently, it was hundreds of airport employees as well and it lasted Sunday through at least today which crew hours should be refreshed. I read a story a few minutes ago that said AA has already cancelled 9% of their flights for tomorrow. Is there some sort of job action in progress?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 618
DFW was a complete mess yesterday due to the number of cancelled flights. Extreme lines for agents, even in the AC's (I was in C, but heard others say it was just as bad in the other ones).
While most of the problems seemed to be crew issues (which were blamed on weather), it was obvious there were severe ground crew issues as well.
While most of the problems seemed to be crew issues (which were blamed on weather), it was obvious there were severe ground crew issues as well.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wichita
Posts: 628
#4
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
I have a trip on Sunday, but I decided not to take it because of heightened COVID risk. However, I'm waiting to cancel it until the last minute, because I'd rather get a refund than a flight credit. I bought the ticket in March so the flight credit would expire next March (unless extended). What a freaking mess. Both AA, and the virus. "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water."
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LI, NY
Programs: AA PLT, AAdv since Day One
Posts: 2,682
CLT wasn't too good either, IMO. Had CLT-HNL with a 11:59am departure Monday. Was delayed 6 1/2 hours waiting for 2 FAs to show up. When they did, we were about to board and they took the plane out of service and moved us from gate A4 to D11. Like an army of ants after a bowl of sugar we single filed across the terminal to D11. We had a new cockpit crew who thought they were going to LHR. We finally boarded the plane and then all the MX problems started. At about 10:15pm they "delayed" the flight to 9:30 the next morning (Tuesday). Overnight they pushed it to 10am for crew rest requirements. We finally pushed back with our third A/C just before noon, 24 hours, and 3 crews later. They did comp us 15K miles by the time we landed in HNL.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA/LFT
Programs: AA Plat, Priority Club Gold, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 1,225
DFW was a complete mess yesterday due to the number of cancelled flights. Extreme lines for agents, even in the AC's (I was in C, but heard others say it was just as bad in the other ones).
While most of the problems seemed to be crew issues (which were blamed on weather), it was obvious there were severe ground crew issues as well.
While most of the problems seemed to be crew issues (which were blamed on weather), it was obvious there were severe ground crew issues as well.
...but there actually has been really bad weather in DFW the last few days -- hours and hours of thunderstorms often accompanied by hail.
Considering 1/4 of AA's flights are to/from DFW, that will ripple throughout the system. They are not really lying this time,
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,132
To hazard a guess, in general weather could be considered as act-of-god-type rationale.
If staffing-related, it may be more likely that the airline is seen as having higher liability/responsibility for delays which resulted.
Compensation could be seen as appropriate in such scenarios, while weather-related scenarios would not attract such.
Granted, in large scale events, that might not be relevant, but it will at least result in higher damage to the brand if within the airline’s control. (Though, would the airline care?)
If staffing-related, it may be more likely that the airline is seen as having higher liability/responsibility for delays which resulted.
Compensation could be seen as appropriate in such scenarios, while weather-related scenarios would not attract such.
Granted, in large scale events, that might not be relevant, but it will at least result in higher damage to the brand if within the airline’s control. (Though, would the airline care?)
Last edited by crackjack; Aug 4, 2021 at 4:11 am
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
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#12
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
CLT wasn't too good either, IMO. Had CLT-HNL with a 11:59am departure Monday. Was delayed 6 1/2 hours waiting for 2 FAs to show up. When they did, we were about to board and they took the plane out of service and moved us from gate A4 to D11. Like an army of ants after a bowl of sugar we single filed across the terminal to D11. We had a new cockpit crew who thought they were going to LHR. We finally boarded the plane and then all the MX problems started. At about 10:15pm they "delayed" the flight to 9:30 the next morning (Tuesday). Overnight they pushed it to 10am for crew rest requirements. We finally pushed back with our third A/C just before noon, 24 hours, and 3 crews later. They did comp us 15K miles by the time we landed in HNL.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: MCO
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#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
I would like to see the EU 261? applied to US based airlines.... I know its never going to happen, and yes since the
airlines always can blame the weather,,,, customers are stuck with no recourse...
We unfortunately has customers have a very few rights....
airlines always can blame the weather,,,, customers are stuck with no recourse...
We unfortunately has customers have a very few rights....