Is American always a disaster?

[daisyx3]

On Sunday we flew home from Orlando to Charlotte, and then from Charlotte to Detroit. I realize that this was the end of "spring break" time, but the first leg was a disaster. We were in row 24, 3 across. Originally that was in the middle of the plane. However, according to the chatter I heard from the flight attendants, the airline downsized the plane that morning or the previous day and they were 45 seats short! They were offering a $500 voucher to fly out the next day. We were fortunate to be in row 24 still but it was almost all the way in the back. Many families were split up and the standby list was crazy. I was hearing that the whole day was a mess as a result for some people.
Then on the second leg the gate attendant decided my wheeled carry on was too big. I had used it for 3 out of 4 legs. DH was in charge of it (I had gone ahead) and couldn't fit it into the carry on thing, so off under the plane it went. Unless they changed the requirements in the 45 minutes it took to change planes, it was ridiculous. It fit easily into the overhead on the first leg, in the same size plane. I noticed a LOT of standbys on American at every gate--the flight from Charlotte to Dallas had 15.
With all the consolidations it is harder and harder for me to get flights--I love Delta but they cost so much, and last time I waited for SWA (I love them as well) they were even more than Delta, so I booked American. I won't do it again next year!
Daisyx3

 

[rwdavis2]

According to the consumer writer (Christopher Elliott) at USA Today, American is the most complained about (in sheer numbers) company in the world per the number of complaints sent to his web site.

 

[Dis703]

Well, I was going to say I've read very similar complaints about several other airlines, but that post about USA Today isn't all that reassuring.

I'll be flying them for the first time next month so we'll see.

 

[strat68]

I'm sure most of their flights go on without problems. I still fly United and they were #2 or #3.

 

[DebbieB]

On Sunday we flew home from Orlando to Charlotte, and then from Charlotte to Detroit. I realize that this was the end of "spring break" time, but the first leg was a disaster. We were in row 24, 3 across. Originally that was in the middle of the plane. However, according to the chatter I heard from the flight attendants, the airline downsized the plane that morning or the previous day and they were 45 seats short! They were offering a $500 voucher to fly out the next day. We were fortunate to be in row 24 still but it was almost all the way in the back. Many families were split up and the standby list was crazy. I was hearing that the whole day was a mess as a result for some people.
Then on the second leg the gate attendant decided my wheeled carry on was too big. I had used it for 3 out of 4 legs. DH was in charge of it (I had gone ahead) and couldn't fit it into the carry on thing, so off under the plane it went. Unless they changed the requirements in the 45 minutes it took to change planes, it was ridiculous. It fit easily into the overhead on the first leg, in the same size plane. I noticed a LOT of standbys on American at every gate--the flight from Charlotte to Dallas had 15.
With all the consolidations it is harder and harder for me to get flights--I love Delta but they cost so much, and last time I waited for SWA (I love them as well) they were even more than Delta, so I booked American. I won't do it again next year!
Daisyx3

This sounds like a former USAirways route (Charlotte hub). Not sure how much of the problem was merger related.

Regarding your luggage - did it fit the carryon rules?

Carry-on

• Shouldn’t exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 23 x 36 x 56 centimeters (including handles and wheels)
  
  
• Must fit in the sizer at the airport

I flew 3 trips on American last year - PIT-DFW with no problems. This was a legacy American route.

 

[Lothlórien]

I have not flown American in about 5 years. Their flight attendants are rude on their good days (Sorry Aunt Lynda, I know you love your job), their customer service people when you call are rude, their prices are insane and their baggage fees are ridiculous.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

You can substitute any airline's name into this story as, on any given day, you may see issues like this.

As far as the bag goes, some gate agents will be lenient with over-sized carry on bags and others will stick to the rules. As a person who travels a lot for work, I'd rather see the rules be kept. I don't know what size your bag was, or if it made the 45" rule or not, but you would be surprised at how many bags people try to jam into spaces they are too big for. It slows down the whole boarding process and takes up overhead space too.

 

[maxiesmom]

If your bag didn't fit into the carry on size checker, then it was too big. And you were lucky to be able to use it on your other flights. The other agents shouldn't have let it slide.

 

[Yellowjj]

Downgrades happen all the time with every airline. You still had a seat; your assigned ones no less, so I would be happy in your case.

The other agents shouldn't have let it slide.

There-in lies the problem. When one agent does a favor by overlooking your bag, people begin to expect that as a guarantee on every flight. Thus when a next agent finally enforces the rules, people then complain.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, a bag either fits, or it doesn't. There are some planes that have shallower bins. Two seats per row usually. Those bags have to go in sideways usually, not wheels in.

I flew AA from Boston to LAX in Dec. My friend and I paid extra to get a particular row. There were supposed to be a total of four rows m, two on each side, that had the middle seat holding a permanent tray...so no one would be able sit there. Paid $40 addtl per seat. But, they changed the equipment so the 'new' plane didn't have that configuration. We tried to get that addtl money refunded. Nope. They told us we were in 'preferred' seats...behind the wing. Weren't very happy.
Tomorrow dh and I fly AA to Mexico. And back again. His company made travel arrangements, so we shall see how it goes.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

I was really nervous about flying American last June BWI-CLT then CLT-MCO, but it went amazingly well. United on the other hand for the return flight was another story (aka never again).

 

[dreiwhit]

FWIW, when I was flying for business, the USAirways gate agents at Charlotte seemed to be much stricter about carry on bag size and the number of bags. I saw people have problems with the size and number of bags, and they were using Charlotte as a connecting airport.

Since the USAirways/AA merger, I wonder if they strict gate agents are all former US Airways employees?

I've flown American several times and never had a problem with them. American Eagle even became my favorite airline. The leg room isn't as good as the leg room on Delta, though.

 

[maxiesmom]

Isn't AA the main airline thru Chicago/O'hare? The agents I have run into there are the rudest of the rude.

 

[daisyx3]

I have never measured the bag; I got it two years ago at WDW when my old carry on zipper broke. It is a smaller black one with wheels and fits without being longways. I've used it on every flight I've taken since then without anyone saying anything on Delta or Southwest either.

 

[mb187143]

I fly AA about once a month at least between PHL and MCI since they took over the old US Air route and are the only non stop flight. They are fairly hit or miss with being on time and their gate agents are usually fine but like every airline you get the occasional bad apple.

I have taken to making sure I can get everything I need into a backpack that fits under the seat on that flight. The planes on that route are the 2/2 configuration and carry on roller boards need to go in sideways so the overhead space is limited. Other than that I really have no complaints. And to be honest that isnt even a complaint. I just adjust how I pack based on who I'm flying with. I'd rather a non-stop flight than bringing a larger bag. Just how I prefer to travel. All airlines have some quirks and as a traveler I'm happy my company let's me decide who I fly.

 

[jdb in AZ]

You can substitute any airline's name into this story as, on any given day, you may see issues like this.

True. Every airline I fly, it seems like they take turns ticking me off. Two of my least-faves have gone out of business. Can't say I was sorry to see them go.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Isn't AA the main airline thru Chicago/O'hare? The agents I have run into there are the rudest of the rude.

No, you're thinking of United.
American's main hub is Dallas/Ft Worth

 

[Starwind]

Well, a bag either fits, or it doesn't. There are some planes that have shallower bins. Two seats per row usually. Those bags have to go in sideways usually, not wheels in.

However, usually there is a slight difference between the sizer and what *actually* fits in the overhead bin -- call it wiggle room for want of a better term. So say the sizer depth is 9", but a bag that is 10" would actually fit in the real bin. The rule is 9" though.

The problem, as another poster has said, is when the rule is not enforced so those with slightly larger bags get used to being allowed on, and yes, it does actually fit in the real bin, so they may not even know their bag is too big by the rule (and it could be just off by a bit -- even a quarter or half inch, often thanks to pesky wheels or handles). Then, one segment the rule gets enforced and the sizer is used and voila,, bag is going in the plane belly.

Then of course there is the situation I ran into on a recent trip: the regional jet had a smaller overhead bin size than the mainline jet. So, the carryon that normally goes in the bin and *does* fir in the sizer could not go in the bin (does not fit -- too deep and too long). I was VERY lucky that my hardside carry-on spinner is actually small enough that it will *fit* under the seat in front even though it is too big to be a "personal item" (by rule/sizer). So in my case, they let me bring it on the plane instead of gate check like almost everyone else had to do with their carry-on item. The "carry-on" went under the seat, my personal item (a tote) went in the bin above, and my medical carry-on also went in the bin above (luckily it fit, as it is even smaller than the spinner; it normally goes in the bin above on mainline flights).

 

[Starwind]

I have never measured the bag; I got it two years ago at WDW when my old carry on zipper broke. It is a smaller black one with wheels and fits without being longways. I've used it on every flight I've taken since then without anyone saying anything on Delta or Southwest either.

FWIW, the carry-on dimensions have been changed within the last few years, to be made smaller (June 2014; see an article discussing the change here: http://gizmodo.com/the-three-biggest-airlines-just-made-carry-on-sizes-eve-1590110261 ). there was a fair bit of controversy and press coverage about the change at the time because, as described in the article, a LOT of people's bags that had previously been just fine were suddenly too big in one or more dimensions -- even though physically the bins were the same and thus the bag *could* fit, just was no longer allowed to be used.

This is separate from the IATA proposal in June 2015 to standardize to an even smaller size that was roundly rejected by almost every airline (though some international airlines already meet the IATA proposed standard).

A big problem is inconsistent enforcement of the rules.

Even for example...

I recently traveled connected Atlanta with Delta. On the flight home, at the gate they were making everyone with normal-size carry-ons use the sizer and prove the bag fit. My bags are visibly smaller than normal carry-on size. The gate attendant looked at mine and told me I did not need to put them in the sizers.... Now, although I know my bags DO fit (and I have measured them and quietly tested them in a sizer that was not being used), it is entirely conceivable that it "could" be slightly bigger in one of the dimensions (e.g. instead of being 9" deep what if it was 9.5 ? not likely to be able to tell at a glance, and it does still fit in the actual bin). Gate attendants are pretty good at guestimating if a bag will fit or not, but are not perfect...

SW

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

You can substitute any airline's name into this story as, on any given day, you may see issues like this.

THIS!


AKK