AA Weather Policy still annoys me

[Elmo007]

Last winter I had a flight from NY to MIA on AA. There was a huge snowstorm approaching and I looked into leaving a day early to beat it out. While Jetblue and SW allowed liberal changes early on, AA did nothing. Finally when they did allow changes, they put on a proviso that "original inventory" must be available. That meant that there had to be not just a seat on the plane but a seat in that fare class (Did not happen). Needless to say the canceled the flight and I lost out on my trip.

Now in NY there is Hurricae Earl. I looked at Jetblue and sure enough they are allowing changes for about a 10-12 day period. Looking at AA, they are again requiring original inventory. Why so restrictive?

Alll I know is thatif I have to fly between NY and FLA and there is a chance of hurrican, snow, heavy rain or a sneezing butterfly, I will try to avoid AA as if there is a problem, they wont be there for me.

The good part of the good part of the stoy is that my scheduled flight to MCO is after Earl.

 

[seashoreCM]

Report to the airport, ready to go, in plenty of time to make the early flight you wanted to take. Try to stand by on the spot. But do not agree to pay anything more.

In this case, if they reject you and also the flight you wanted went out with empty seats and your own flight is cancelled then the airline did not use reasonable efforts to transport you.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[dudspizza]

Report to the airport, ready to go, in plenty of time to make the early flight you wanted to take. Try to stand by on the spot. But do not agree to pay anything more.

In this case, if they reject you and also the flight you wanted went out with empty seats and your own flight is cancelled then the airline did not use reasonable efforts to transport you.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

AA instituted a policy for standing by (see below in red). Some has to do with status, but the big thing is they want people to pay for same day standby. That said, I agree that they should loosen up when it comes to weather related things like this..... I was just on Airtran's site and they have a weather advisory for the East Coast right now offering the chance to move your flight 1 day prior or up to 3 days after your original scheduled flight....

The following passengers may standby at no charge based on availability:

Customers traveling within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean or Canada with tickets purchased before February 22, 2010
Customers who purchase unrestricted Economy Class fares (Y, B, H class of service)
Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
Active U.S. Military personnel traveling on orders or personal travel
Active U.S. Military dependents traveling on orders
American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
oneworld® Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type
AAirpass® members
First and Business Class MileSAAver® Awards
First, Business and Economy Class AAnytime® Awards