Nightmare on AA Feb 03, 2022
Feb 11, 2022, 1:45 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
Every time I think about checking a bag with a "oh it will only add another 20 minutes to the end of the trip waiting at baggage claim," I read a story like this and am reminded why I never check bags.
The last time I did, I was moving across the country and knew I'd be at the destination more than a few days if the bags were late. Most of my trips are short and/or involve a lot of moving around, and having to try catch delayed bags up with me sounds like a total nightmare.
The last time I did, I was moving across the country and knew I'd be at the destination more than a few days if the bags were late. Most of my trips are short and/or involve a lot of moving around, and having to try catch delayed bags up with me sounds like a total nightmare.
Feb 11, 2022, 2:03 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Well AA has by far the worst record on mishandled bags although it’s still less than a 1% chance. For sure I’m more likely to “voluntarily” check a bag on my way home and let the airline provide door to door service if they screw something up (like AA did for me…). At least I knew on the app my bag didn’t make my connecting flight (despite plenty of time) so no need to stick around the carousel.
Feb 11, 2022, 2:21 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
US Airways was always really good about this. I had a few times where I flew first leg of a one day trip into like CLT or PIT and connection canceled, and they could not get me into my destination until the airplane I was scheduled to return on. Flew me home and gave me the option of full refund or give me mileage credit for the full trip. Admittedly some of these were pure segment runs so I was happy to turn around from CLT and be home an hour later and get my 6 segments I should have flown.
Feb 11, 2022, 11:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold
Posts: 221
How do you find this info on EF? I'm looking for AA 1456 from DFW - SLC on 02/05 - EF (premium sub) Flight Status says cancelled without any details. Do you look at some other place than Flight Status? Thanks!
Feb 11, 2022, 11:07 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,669
On February 3rd, yes the delay was actually weather. That doesn't excuse rudeness. If you write in to complain, focus on the rudeness instead of the cancelled flight.
We had family members trying to fly on the 3rd too. They were cancelled. Very few flights flew the 4th and 5th to anywhere. If the OP got on one that did and was close to where you wanted to arrive; well, much as it sucked you still won the rebook lottery.
Last edited by jayer; Feb 11, 2022 at 11:16 pm
Feb 12, 2022, 1:48 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
I wrote a concise letter to AA about my frustrations and the fact that I had to pay for a hotel room out of pocket, and got this response:
Thank you for writing back. I'm sorry to learn that you're still upset with us. That's certainly not how we want our customers to feel.
Mr. seigex, there were several delay issues that occurred during your trip. The pilot provided accurate information regarding the delay. As you know Air Traffic Control and airport security handled a security breach. This breach caused the flight crew to time out. Our pilots follow instructions from Air Traffic Control on when and where they can taxi while on the runway. I apologize for the frustrations you experienced.
Please be assured we do not mislead, and all your concerns about this situation have been taken very seriously. We're truly dedicated to making certain that our customers have a pleasant experience when flying with us. We're also always looking for ways to improve and your constructive criticism gives us that opportunity.
While I know that you didn't have the best experience with us recently, I'd like to encourage you to give us another try. The next time you travel with us, I'm confident things will go much more smoothly.
Mr. seigex, there were several delay issues that occurred during your trip. The pilot provided accurate information regarding the delay. As you know Air Traffic Control and airport security handled a security breach. This breach caused the flight crew to time out. Our pilots follow instructions from Air Traffic Control on when and where they can taxi while on the runway. I apologize for the frustrations you experienced.
Please be assured we do not mislead, and all your concerns about this situation have been taken very seriously. We're truly dedicated to making certain that our customers have a pleasant experience when flying with us. We're also always looking for ways to improve and your constructive criticism gives us that opportunity.
While I know that you didn't have the best experience with us recently, I'd like to encourage you to give us another try. The next time you travel with us, I'm confident things will go much more smoothly.
Feb 12, 2022, 7:43 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
In the before times, after AA got gate-to-gate wi-fi, I would listen to ATC through LIveATC. I was at PHX when that rental car was left at Terminal 4 and the terminal was closed. Stuck there until 9pm for a flight to STL.After 4 separate crew timeouts, we finally got on the plane, taxied to the runway, then pilot told ATC they needed to return to the gate due to "Crew TImeout". The FA came across the PA and said that they are cancelling the flight due to weather. Same thing was repeated by the gate agents.
I wrote a concise letter to AA about my frustrations and the fact that I had to pay for a hotel room out of pocket, and got this response:
Nothing else offered (5 year EXP). I have never had good luck getting anything from AA cluster relations.
I wrote a concise letter to AA about my frustrations and the fact that I had to pay for a hotel room out of pocket, and got this response:
Nothing else offered (5 year EXP). I have never had good luck getting anything from AA cluster relations.
Feb 12, 2022, 12:17 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,969
They didn't create the original problem, but they lied about it, and used weather instead of crew timeout to keep from having to pay for hotel rooms or putting me on another airline (this is 12 hours after the issue was resolved at PHX). I had flown in from ONT right as the issue was happening at around 7am was stuck at PHX overnight.
Feb 13, 2022, 10:47 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: PDX
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 3
Thank you for the helpful responses. So far the only response I've received from AA via Twitter DM is basically sorry about my bad luck. I completely understand that the weather caused a giant cluster on the 3-4 but that does not excuse the constant misinformation or the 5 day baggage delay. We are going to file delay costs (including a one way car rental fee..ouch) with both Allianz and AA and hope that we are at the very least reimbursed for the additional expenses.
We are moving to GA next year and unfortunately AA seems to dominate the routes that we'll be on. Maybe we'll try Delta next time but honestly I think most of the large US based carriers are awful.
We are moving to GA next year and unfortunately AA seems to dominate the routes that we'll be on. Maybe we'll try Delta next time but honestly I think most of the large US based carriers are awful.
Feb 13, 2022, 11:21 am
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Thank you for the helpful responses. So far the only response I've received from AA via Twitter DM is basically sorry about my bad luck. I completely understand that the weather caused a giant cluster on the 3-4 but that does not excuse the constant misinformation or the 5 day baggage delay. We are going to file delay costs (including a one way car rental fee..ouch) with both Allianz and AA and hope that we are at the very least reimbursed for the additional expenses.
We are moving to GA next year and unfortunately AA seems to dominate the routes that we'll be on. Maybe we'll try Delta next time but honestly I think most of the large US based carriers are awful.
We are moving to GA next year and unfortunately AA seems to dominate the routes that we'll be on. Maybe we'll try Delta next time but honestly I think most of the large US based carriers are awful.
Feb 13, 2022, 11:58 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: PDX
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Posts: 3
Our Allianz policy caps lost baggage at $200 and $300 on travel delays. We're out at least $1000 in additional lodging, Ubers, hefty one way car rental fees, and of course the glamorous WalMart clothes. I saw a box to check on the claim forms to notify that you are filing with more than one entity; is this not allowable (or advisable)?
Feb 13, 2022, 12:59 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
What amazes me about these travel horror stories is how much damage mitigation would be possible if the airline staff were apologetic and helpful (even if the help is limited to 'come back tomorrow'). Instead, angry or rude staff tend to extenuate the negative circumstances. All airlines have this same problem, and it is worst during catastrophic ir-ops. A real catastrophe (earthquake/ war/ fire) by contrast, tends to bring out the best in people including airline folks.
Just an observation.
Just an observation.
the worse part is its gonna get worse before it gets any better
Could be teh answer is just as teh airlines have reserve crews at their nubs, maybe they need a reserve list also for CS folks when they know everything is gonna hit the fan, and the 1st step is To STOP blaming Weather for everything when its not the vase or they dont know