I wonder if AA at MIA (or systemwide) is using passengers (or a made up reason) as an excuse for a flight delay. Supposed to take off at 7, but early today delayed until 7:40 because of late arriving aircraft.

At the delayed boarding time (6:55) they tell us that we are missing the first officer who is landing at 7:30 and "they have asked is not to start boarding until the FO lands." That the screen and app will still show 7:40 as departure time even though that's not going to happen. I thought it was odd and maybe SOP, but as I'm waiting in my seat for boarding to finish, I check the flight status info on ExpertFlyer and it says our delay is due to "delay during customer boarding" . I wonder if AA is trying to blame something else and not crew availability as reason for delay. Of course the App is still showing a departure time of one minute ago and we're still boarding. 🤦‍♂️

There is weather all over the country making a mess of things. You are lucky the delay is only an hour.

I'm used to delays, I was supposed to fly this flight yesterday morning and missed my connection due to mechanical. So my delay is already about 36 hours.

My issue is with their made-up reason for delay. I sometimes have to file travel insirance claims and not sure if I'd be denied a claim in this situation.

BTW, just found out that while the FO has landed they have to to through customs and immigration before they get here. So getting out of here anytime soon is a pipe dream.

Safe travels home. Hopefully you are not heading to the Northeast this evening.

I agree and have had this issue in the past.