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Actually, the OP posted two threads on Fodors:
1. Latin America Forum 2. Airlines Forum To the OP -- As I read your initial post, I did have some empathy for you. After reading through all of your posts on FT and Fodors, I find myself holding a different opinion. Rather than shouting at the top of your voice that 'AA screwed up' and messed up your vacation, the fault lies first with you and then the airline. As for your eight year old, I feel horrible for him. I hope you've taken the time to explain that it's not his fault and that dad made a mistake and then AA compounded it. |
Originally Posted by letiole
I think the OP's been treated a bit harshly here and do think he has a valid complaint, although the ultimate responsibility to secure the proper documents for travel was his.
Most of us on FT live, eat and sleep travel, yet most people don't and wouldn't automatically know to question an agent or seek additional verification. I just did a quick search on "Costa Rica US Birth Certificate" and it's remarkable how many sites appear stating that entry will be allowed into Costa Rica with a US birth certificate and photo ID. Mexico, Canada, various Caribbean destinations have all allowed US citizens to travel there without passports. I can see how an infrequent traveler would believe what he was told and what he read on an Internet site. Had they denied you boarding in New York, I would feel the airline had done the right thing. Unfortunately, that's not what they did. It's surprising American let your son on that flight. That's the big screw up they made. Airlines basically decided they no longer needed travel agents, which were the ones who in the past would have made sure you would have had the proper documents. Instead, airlines said they could do it all. I think this shows while they set themselves up as the "travel experts"; they aren't, but infrequent travelers don't know that. You, however, should feel very fortunate that you and your family did not somehow manage to get into Costa Rica without your 8-year-old having a passport. Costa Rica is a popular spot in child trafficking and upon trying to exit I suspect you would have had far more problems that what you encountered by being turned away. When my husband and I exited Costa Rica with our teen son, we were sent to a special desk where passports for minors and their parents were scrutinized. Believe it or not, your situation could have been far worse had you gotten into Costa Rica. It's unclear to me what AA is offering you now, if anything. If travelers are delayed we generally receive compensation. You went through more than a delay. I do feel you're at minimum entitled to a refund on your tickets. I'm not sure about much beyond that. In any event, I wish you well and am sorry your family vacation was ruined. I hope the next one turns out far better. |
Originally Posted by RBCal
Flyertalk is a tough crowd. The OP posted on Fodors also and most people were very supportive and understanding.
I guess the FT crowd travel more and don't have much sympathy for amateur travellers. |
Originally Posted by craz
As per AA, since AA doesnt fly Intl from LGA I can understand their Agents possibly not being fully aware of ALL the Requirements that are necessary for Entry into another Country. I think AA flies only to Canada from LGA and it has been that one needed a Drivers License or Birth Certificate in order to gain Entrance into Canada.
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Originally Posted by Athena53
But how hard would it be for the gate agent's screen to display messages related to the itinerary when someone checks in for a trip to Brazil or India or Russia? "Check for valid visa". Sounds like they could do it with a little programming and maybe cut down the chance of incidents like this in the future. I'm sure they're infrequent- but, as we've seen here, when they happen there's a huge cost to the people involved.
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What do we have here a bunch of AA employees?
AA are the travel professionals and they should have the right info. Period! The OP is a tourist, not a travel professional. Websites are full of wrong information, including stuff from State. Check out some of their consular sheets. Lots of WRONG info there. Who's to know if the PROFESSIONALS are wrong? This is like saying you as a layman should know if your lawyer doesn't know the law :rolleyes: So should the OP call Immigration Costa Rica first? Pretty soon, because y'all are claiming he is "responsible", someone is going to opine that he should go to CR first and then come back with the info he needs to get there :rolleyes: And OP, the only slam I can put on you, is not to be so freaking cheap about spending money to buy your kid a passport. You now know what it really cost you, eh? Due of course to the bureaucratic incompetence of paid professionals at AA, and now you are in very deep pit with them. Good luck in getting it resolved within two or three years. BTW, I am a dual national of USA/CR. I hope you have a more pleasant experience should you decided to go back to CR. M8 P.S. Sorry your reception here was so bad too. |
Originally Posted by Doppy
Did you consider sending the 8 year old home while the rest of you continued on your vacation in Costa Rica? I mean, from a strict utilitarian perspective . . .
Besides, shouldn't he take some responsibility for being born (and not getting a passport)? M8 |
Many of you are truly evil people. What kind of people post such nasty responses! Pickles, you are clearly an unhappy person, God bless.
Thank you Athena53 and Letiole for helping the OP. OP, I'm sure things will work out for the best. Believe me, one day you'll look back and laugh :D . |
I just want to make it clear that I had no problem at all getting my child a passport, it wouldn't have been a problem at all. I was just putting emphasis on the fact that since we were given wrong information, i saw no reaosn to go out and get him a passport. Actually, I just spent more money expiditing his passport.
The ultimate lesson I have take from this experience is under any circumstances, all members of my family should have passports, even when flying domestically. You never know when you're going to need to fly out of the country at any moment, and I think that's something important that I will instill in my children and be very dilligent about in the future. But, I just want to make it clear again that I had no problem going to get a passport for my son, I was simply told that it was unecessary. And thank you veyr much Bluewatersail, and all the other helpful and sympathetic posters, I hold your advice in high regard and appreciate your respect. |
Originally Posted by letiole
Airlines basically decided they no longer needed travel agents, which were the ones who in the past would have made sure you would have had the proper documents. Instead, airlines said they could do it all. I think this shows while they set themselves up as the "travel experts"; they aren't, but infrequent travelers don't know that.
On the other hand, I'm somewhat skeptical about the story of the OP calling AA and asking an agent what the entry requirements were. I find it hard to believe that an agent could have looked at what Timatic had to say and still given bad information. |
Originally Posted by Doppy
On the other hand, I'm somewhat skeptical about the story of the OP calling AA and asking an agent what the entry requirements were. I find it hard to believe that an agent could have looked at what Timatic had to say and still given bad information. |
Originally Posted by bluewatersail
Many of you are truly evil people. What kind of people post such nasty responses! Pickles, you are clearly an unhappy person, God bless.
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FlyerTalk rules do not allow posts that talk about other posters. Let's respect the rules, folks.
--richard, moderator |
This is ridiculous!
deleted - post is against FT TOS --richard, moderator
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Tim... Come on, man.
deleted -- post is against FT TOS --richard, moderator
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