[taketrains]

I purchased a round trip ticket from American Airlines for travel from Raleigh to Cartagena. On the day of departure I printed my boarding pass from the self check-in machine in RDU (AA1293). I took the sheet to the American counter and checked one bag to Cartagena..

In Miami an Avianca agent had a note that I was traveling with a dog and that my reservation was in the computer five different times. It took over twenty minutes to sort everything out. My companions did not have any problems and sailed through the check-in.

In Cartagena my bags did not arrive on the plane. I filed a lost baggage report with Avianca and started shopping for clothes for the wedding activities. The following day I was notified my bag arrived. I changed plans, left the family activity and took a taxi to the airport to collect my bag.

On the June 13 return flight (CTG-MIA) I checked a bag on Avianca. In Miami I hand walked my bag from the international flight to an AA baggage handler who noted my departure flight and the bag tag. At the American kiosk when I tried to print a boarding pass (AA 616) I was informed I needed to go to a ticket counter. My relatives were able to print a boarding pass. Again, I left my traveling group, walked outside the terminal in 90°+ heat and construction to another terminal to wait in line for an AA agent.

At the departure gate American FLT 616 was delayed due to mechanical problems. After waiting at the gate and again in the plane for the walkway to be removed, we were in the air at 5:58 pm instead of 4:45 pm making for a late arrival at RDU.

Long story short- American screwed up the ticket info, baggage & departure. The entire American experience was a hassle.