American Airlines??

[KEW]

AA without pilots during Holiday season?

Oh....I sure hope my flight isn't cancelled

 

[sponica]

AA without pilots during Holiday season?

Oh....I sure hope my flight isn't cancelled

Proof that computers are only as smart as the people who program them...Like how did that not get noticed until now?

 

[georgina]

is right! Let's hope they enough time to get it fixed. Glad I booked both my kids flights home for Christmas on United this year!

 

[JimMIA]

I think they'll work it out. Obviously they're not going to shut down the airline because of a computer glitch...and they've got 3 weeks.

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another forum) Many folks may have to endure unexpected flight schedule changes. Like having your 7 day 6 night vacation turn into a 5 day 6 night vacation. Or somewhat optimistically they might allow you to reselect flights not ruling out ending up with a 7 day 8 night vacation.

(You can still use Magical Express if you arrived before your resort stay begins or need to leave after your resort stay ends although your actual DME rides need to be on or after check-in day and on or before check out day.)

 

[KEW]

(copied from another forum) Many folks may have to endure unexpected flight schedule changes. Like having your 7 day 6 night vacation turn into a 5 day 6 night vacation. Or somewhat optimistically they might allow you to reselect flights not ruling out ending up with a 7 day 8 night vacation.

(You can still use Magical Express if you arrived before your resort stay begins or need to leave after your resort stay ends although your actual DME rides need to be on or after check-in day and on or before check out day.)

Yeah...and if there are changes, I would rather know within the next week versus 3 weeks from now. Or worse yet...get a notification the night before our early flight that it has been canceled...or find out at the airport.

I feel like they need to take care of this because of the importance of these trips (who else would fly at one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year unless they couldn't the others times of the year) because they caused this error (not an act of God) and they know ahead of time. Work their butt off the next few days and see how many flights they have covered. They need to be realistic as to what flights they can do. Don't leave customers to patch up their vacations ($$$) or once-a-year time to gather with family at the last minute. I hope they give people plenty of time.

They mentioned thousands of flights without pilots/copilots. I was also wondering if there's a way to see what flights have pilots/copilots booked for them. I called AA yesterday (woman said she'd been working all day so had not heard the news) and all they could tell me is that there was no notification on my flights. I'd be reassured if I could see that an actual pilot was booked for the flights.

I would also be willing to fly up to 2 days before my original date, but that also requires I book hotels. Again, another reason to give customers early, realistic news as it will definitely be harder to book room nights closer to Christmas in the tourist destination I'm going to.

We are also going on a cruise. I am SO GLAD that the cruise is the latter part of our trip! But still, I had really hoped to enjoy Orlando (haven't gone in a decade). Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[KEW]

It sounds like a lot of progress has been made with still time left.

 

[Psychodisney]

I booked up a backup flight on SW for my son just in case. He's scheduled to fly home on 12/23. I figure I can cancel that one and get my points back if AA gets his flight off the ground!

 

[KEW]

Update today.

 

[GingerPilot]

If the media hadn't gotten ahold of this no one would be any the wiser. Airlines are *always* seamlessly putting pilots in slots that weren't covered for one reason or another. The pilots who have picked up the open trips are probably being compensated quite well, too. Their customer service reps aren't going to have access to the extremely complicated crew scheduling departments info on who is flying what and when. AA, or any other airline, is not going to give you days notice to a problem that may or may not exist.

 

[JimMIA]

If the media hadn't gotten ahold of this no one would be any the wiser. Airlines are *always* seamlessly putting pilots in slots that weren't covered for one reason or another. The pilots who have picked up the open trips are probably being compensated quite well, too. Their customer service reps aren't going to have access to the extremely complicated crew scheduling departments info on who is flying what and when. AA, or any other airline, is not going to give you days notice to a problem that may or may not exist.

Exactly. This is an issue that airlines face every day of every year. At least with major airlines, they have very large pools of crewmembers and manage stuff like this without anyone noticing. This story was always more about clickbait for the new media sites than a real problem.

 

[Shanti]

AA without pilots during Holiday season?

Oh....I sure hope my flight isn't cancelled

That stinks. I'm sorry you had to deal with the stress of that.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Exactly. This is an issue that airlines face every day of every year. At least with major airlines, they have very large pools of crewmembers and manage stuff like this without anyone noticing. This story was always more about clickbait for the new media sites than a real problem.

On what planet to airlines face this every day of every year???? LOL!

No this is not an issue they face every day. The only other airline that's faced something similar was RyanAir and they did have to cancel a LOT of flights.

Generally the systems won't let everyone take the same day off so it's not a normal issue!

And large pools of crewmembers went the way of "extra planes" years ago. Airlines run lean now.

(Not to mention that just because I am a pilot doesn't mean I can fly the exact plane that AA needs a pilot for)

 

[JimMIA]

On what planet to airlines face this every day of every year???? LOL!

No this is not an issue they face every day. The only other airline that's faced something similar was RyanAir and they did have to cancel a LOT of flights.

Generally the systems won't let everyone take the same day off so it's not a normal issue!

And large pools of crewmembers went the way of "extra planes" years ago. Airlines run lean now.

(Not to mention that just because I am a pilot doesn't mean I can fly the exact plane that AA needs a pilot for)

They don't face problems of this magnitude, but they deal with scheduling issues all the time. And American has a few more resources than RyanAir.

As we've seen -- this is a non-event.

 

[GingerPilot]

On what planet to airlines face this every day of every year???? LOL!

No this is not an issue they face every day. The only other airline that's faced something similar was RyanAir and they did have to cancel a LOT of flights.

Generally the systems won't let everyone take the same day off so it's not a normal issue!

And large pools of crewmembers went the way of "extra planes" years ago. Airlines run lean now.

(Not to mention that just because I am a pilot doesn't mean I can fly the exact plane that AA needs a pilot for)

Airlines have backup staffing always, they're called reserves. Reserves are there in case of a crew calling in sick/fatigue, a crew missing a connection, equipment swap etc. there are typically a lot of them at a legacy airline like American. Hundreds at a single base. See, that's one of the advantages of flying Delta, American, United and SOuthwest.. they have backup crews and airplanes to reduce the likelihood of delays and cancellations. Spirit, Fromtier, Allegisnt and yes RyanAir don't have that luxury. They run on minimums always. That's one of the reasons I only fly the big 3 (and southwest if I have to) they have plans, contingencies and they really do try to avoid making customers angry. The ULCC don't care as long as they're not spending money. American will do, and has done, what needs to be done to ensure their flights go. They don't want to lose the revenue either.

 

[KEW]

Well, I'm glad it was made public, accident or not. More pressure to get it fixed...quickly. Hopefully pressure still to make sure as few cancellations as possible that last week. My family have asked me if I feel better now with the news that the airlines and pilots came together to cover all the scheduled flights. I tell them that I'll feel better once I'm on my connecting flight! I was worried (had no idea how long this was a problem) that pilots would have their own plans for vacation and meeting with family so not sure if most could/would cancel their plans.

I do believe airlines face minor scheduling problems (etc.) all the time, but this was not a minor problem. It initially affected 15,000 flights.

 

[JimMIA]

I tell them that I'll feel better once I'm on my connecting flight!

Or...in the AIR on your connecting flight!

Also, with American, at least you know that they have many options IF there is an issue with your connecting flight. For some of those little airlines, the only option might be a couple of days later.

If you DO experience any issues with American, do NOT go to the customer service desk in the airport! CALL.

I do believe airlines face minor scheduling problems (etc.) all the time, but this was not a minor problem. It initially affected 15,000 flights.

My guess is that the 15,000 number was more media hype, worst-case-scenario, click-bait than reality.

Anyway, it didn't happen -- have a great trip!

 

[KEW]

Or...in the AIR on your connecting flight!

Yes!

Also, with American, at least you know that they have many options IF there is an issue with your connecting flight. For some of those little airlines, the only option might be a couple of days later.

If you DO experience any issues with American, do NOT go to the customer service desk in the airport! CALL.

Thanks for this advice. Will be adding AA's phone number on my phone before my trip. I already have the app with my trip entered in. Also made sure that my contact info is up to date on their end so hopefully if there is a problem there will be no barriers when they try to contact me.

My guess is that the 15,000 number was more media hype, worst-case-scenario, click-bait than reality.

Yes. It was the worst-case scenario, right at the height of the problem when it was found, and before any measures were used to rectify the situation.

Anyway, it didn't happen -- have a great trip!

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks for this advice. Will be adding AA's phone number on my phone before my trip. I already have the app with my trip entered in. Also made sure that my contact info is up to date on their end so hopefully if there is a problem there will be no barriers when they try to contact me.

If you haven't already, go to the AA website and join their frequent flyer program. I believe that will get you a super-secret AAdvantage phone number with you can call for reservations, changes, connection problems, etc. (I'm not sure new members get that, but I think they do. I'm Gold FF for life, so I'm not sure.)

If you get the number, they can do more for you than the regular reservations people and you won't have to wait in a phone queue very long.

If you have TSA Precheck, etc, you can enter that info on your AA account and you should have Precheck or whatever automatically printed on your boarding passes.

 

[KEW]

If you haven't already, go to the AA website and join their frequent flyer program. I believe that will get you a super-secret AAdvantage phone number with you can call for reservations, changes, connection problems, etc. (I'm not sure new members get that, but I think they do. I'm Gold FF for life, so I'm not sure.)

If you get the number, they can do more for you than the regular reservations people and you won't have to wait in a phone queue very long.

I did join their frequent flyer program. I'll have to look for that special phone number.