[Jay O]

This serves as a complaint of preferential treatment and prejudice.

This complaint is being filed against American Airline’s Gate Agent Semair, regarding events which took place on 6/23/24, at Miami International Airport, gate D16, as it relates to flight 1451 & 2541.

I am a service-connected disabled veteran, I work hard and was glad to be able to afford a trip to visit family with my child. The actions of the Ticket Agent caused unnecessary distress, which triggered my disability. I am reporting this in hopes that something will be done to rectify this situation.

After a missed connecting flight, due to delays allegedly caused by inclement weather, I was transferred to flight 1451, departing out of gate D16. I patiently waited, until a Gate Agent became available to inquire about seating on flight 1451. When I spoke to the agent, identified as Semair (spelling of agent’s name may be incorrect), she confirmed my daughter, and I were 1st and 2nd on the waiting list for standby. I asked if there was any way to get confirmed seats or if there were any other options. She said no, but we would more than likely get a seat on flight 1451 because we were first on the waiting list.

Moments after leaving the service desk, a couple who was in the same inconvenient circumstance as myself, informed me that Semair had gotten them both confirmed on the next flight out, to the exact destination I had been tirelessly trying to secure a flight to, since the evening prior (The couple was Spanish speaking).
The couple was farther down on the waiting list, which is evident as I was 2nd on the list and my daughter was 1st. Yet, Semair, had not given me the option to confirm seating for the next flight, even though I should have been priority due to my position on the waiting list.

When I approached the service desk a second time, to inquire about seats on the next flight, I was informed by Semair that there was only one seat, and since I was traveling with a child, it wouldn’t benefit me, I agreed.
After the aforementioned interaction, I began to observe Semair’s interactions with the travelers. I observed that she was quite dismissive and nonchalant towards certain groups of passengers, while diligently working to accommodate other groups of passengers (Spanish speaking).

I left gate D16, and made my way over to gate D17, and immediately received tickets, and confirmed seating, on flight 2541. Other passengers in a similar circumstance as myself, also received confirmed seats, at gate D17, although I was told by Semair, only minutes prior, there was only one seat available.

I always try to assume positive intent, but after interacting with Semair, and observing her interactions with other passengers, I believe she intentional prioritized certain passenger groups over others (Spanish speaking).
I also believe Semair may have intentionally withheld information about available seating on flight 2541 and gave priority to the group she favored.