Flying American- Watch Those Flights

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

This is being discussed in the "American Cancelled my Flight" thread but I thought maybe a more general heads up might help!

AA's labor relations are reaching a new low.... creating problems. See below.

If you are flying AA there is NOTHING you can really do in advance. Here are my suggestions

1 Watch your flights. If you see it disappear get on the phone. They won't move you before it's cancelled. But if you watch and call that puts you ahead of most folks who will find out when they show up at the airport (And keep watching AFTER you check in. Having dealt with AA during other labor issues they tend to be very optomistic... they like to cancel AFTER they plane was suppose to leave)

2. Know your options. Look around. See who else is flying to your destination AFTER your flight Let's say you have an AA flight at 8 AM connecting in Dallas and on to Orlando. Go out on the booking engines and see what else is out there. So when the 8 AM is cancelled, you know that USAir has a flgiht leaving at 9:30 that will connect in Charlotte and get you to MCO at 4 PM (NOt as good as what you have, but...) Suggest that to the agent.

3. When your flight is cancelled at the airport... get in line and on your phone at the same time. Call the airline, yes you will be on hold. But this gives you two ways to get to an agent. Heck if I was traveling with my spouse he'd be on the phone too just in case. Then when you get to the agent and they start "shurgging" suggest the option you found in step 2. Of course it may be full but sometimes if you can get them looking...

http://overheadbin.nbcnews.com/_new...cancellations-surge-at-american-airlines?lite

Flight cancellations have spiked at American Airlines, which is fighting with unhappy pilots.

The Wall Street Journal's veteran travel reporter, Scott McCartney, on Tuesday told travelers to avoid the carrier because "American's operation is in shambles."

McCartney said American Airlines is too unreliable because of trouble with the pilots union

 

[lovin'fl]

I have an AA flight booked for Aug 2013...non-refundable. It is non-stop from BWI to MIA (and then non-stop returning too). If, by then, AA goes under/get bought out/merges with another airline...will my flight be cancelled and will I get a refund? TIA!

 

[jdb in AZ]

They're also fighting with unhappy flight attendants. Er, the flight attendants are fighting each other. A flight from NYC to Wash D.C. was delayed four hours yesterday (Wednesday) because two flight attendants started arguing preflight and had to return to the gate, and AA had to find a different flight crew. charming.

That sure isn't helping their public image! We're avoiding AA til they get their act together.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have an AA flight booked for Aug 2013...non-refundable. It is non-stop from BWI to MIA (and then non-stop returning too). If, by then, AA goes under/get bought out/merges with another airline...will my flight be cancelled and will I get a refund? TIA!

Did you read the articles? The problems stem from a labor dispute. AA is not "going under."

 

[Tara]

Did you read the articles? The problems stem from a labor dispute. AA is not "going under."

Well, in all fairness to the poster, they are in bankruptcy, which is the driving force behind the labor dispute discussed in the article. While it's likely they will emerge from bankruptcy (especially as they revoke or modify labor and pension agreements that make it possible for them to operate at lower costs...again, one of the direct causes of this labor dispute), there is always the possibility that they won't emerge.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well, in all fairness to the poster, they are in bankruptcy, which is the driving force behind the labor dispute discussed in the article. While it's likely they will emerge from bankruptcy (especially as they revoke or modify labor and pension agreements that make it possible for them to operate at lower costs...again, one of the direct causes of this labor dispute), there is always the possibility that they won't emerge.

Fair enough. However, it's extremely unlikely that AA will cease operations.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have an AA flight booked for Aug 2013...non-refundable. It is non-stop from BWI to MIA (and then non-stop returning too). If, by then, AA goes under/get bought out/merges with another airline...will my flight be cancelled and will I get a refund? TIA!

AA won't go under. (the US goverment is not going to let a this happen in an election year... LOL!) They may merge with another airline but your flight in Aug 2013 may not even be effected. (See AirTran. SW bought them AGES ago It takes FOREVER to merge airlines!)

However the chances of there not being major schedule changes between now and August 2013 are non existent so watch your flight. You can get a refund for MAJOR schedule changes. (Each airline defines that different I have no idea what AA's rules are)

 

[erincon23]

DS20 and I are flying to Orlando in just over two weeks (leaving on Columbus Day) on American! The news reports say they've only cancelled a couple of flights out of O'Hare so far, but who knows what will happen in the next few days. We had a really cheap flight ($175 round trip) -- what happens if they cancel our flight? Will they help us rebook without us paying extra? There's no possibility of us paying any extra for a flight (no credit card). We have a room-only ressie, which is much easier to cancel than a package (but DS bought his ticket this week on Undercover Tourist -- is that refundable?). I guess I'll keep checking the website!

 

[erincon23]

However the chances of there not being major schedule changes between now and August 2013 are non existent so watch your flight. You can get a refund for MAJOR schedule changes. (Each airline defines that different I have no idea what AA's rules are)

At least several years ago, AA would refund your flight if the change was more than 30 minutes either way on any portion of your flight.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

DS20 and I are flying to Orlando in just over two weeks (leaving on Columbus Day) on American! The news reports say they've only cancelled a couple of flights out of O'Hare so far, but who knows what will happen in the next few days. We had a really cheap flight ($175 round trip) -- what happens if they cancel our flight? Will they help us rebook without us paying extra? There's no possibility of us paying any extra for a flight (no credit card). We have a room-only ressie, which is much easier to cancel than a package (but DS bought his ticket this week on Undercover Tourist -- is that refundable?). I guess I'll keep checking the website!

Yes, if your flight is canceled, AA will rebook you at no charge. No guarantees that your new flight will meet your schedule.

 

[DebbieB]

American is in talks with USAirways to merge. But that would be a long process, US has not completely finished their merger with America West from 7 years ago, employees are still working under 2 contracts.

 

[jeff968]

I hope they weather the storm. My Mom was a flight attendent (stewardress) with AA from 1957-1960. Very cool job and she saw the move from prop planes to jets. It is always sad to lose a company with great history. I hope they work things out and oh, did I mention we are flying AA in February?

 

[txcpamom]

I just tried to add text notifications for my October nonrefundable flight, and my flight is no longer even listed. Departure or return. Do they not have to notify me if my flight is canceled? I haven't flown in years and have never had to deal with anything like this.

And since it's a surprise trip, I will have to wait until my kids aren't around to call.

 

[cathyge]

Did you check for flights with your record locator? (As opposed to the flight number.) If not, check on your flights with the locator code first. Maybe only the flight numbers have changed.

I am flying AA in late October - not happy about the current AA situation - but am hoping it gets better by then. Anyway....

I made my original reservations in June. In July I received an email with changes in flight times of both flights, and a change of flight number for the return flight.

Because of everything going on I recently checked to see if my October flights are still listed. Only my departure flight showed up. I had to use my name and the record locator to bring up both of my flights. The flight number of the return flight has changed. I think since it was just the flight number I didn't receive an email.

Hopefully this will be your case.

If not, on a - well maybe?- a positive note, if they cancelled the flight, I expect you'll get a refund and not have to worry about the delays and other headaches happening at AA right now. Maybe you'll even be able to get some semi-decent prices on new tickets.

Let us know how it turns out...Good luck!

 

[txcpamom]

Thanks cathyge! They did just change my flight number. And I am glad I didn't wait until Monday to call. I keep telling myself that worst case scenario, we will still get there and back, even if we have to drive. And have a magical week!

 

[cathyge]

So glad to hear you were able to find the records. Don't be surprised if the flight numbers change again. Just be sure to use that locator code.

Have a wonderful time on your trip.

Cathy

 

[karly05]

I hope they work things out and oh, did I mention we are flying AA in February?

I've got a trip booked for February; I haven't bought my plane ticket yet, and won't for a while, but I always fly American (and not just to WDW). Now I'm worried about last-minute cancellations, but my only realistic alternative is AirTran, and their schedule doesn't work out as well. Besides, I'd rather stick with what I know (and have been happy with).

Here's hoping things settle down with AA soon.

 

[jeff968]

I've got a trip booked for February; I haven't bought my plane ticket yet, and won't for a while

For President's week, we have to purchase almost a year in advance for a good price. We got NR RT JFK to MCO for $280, I'm happy with them.