[my3sons]

Its the day before thanksgiving and I'm trying to get home to my family. I got to the airport 5 hours early. At check in i was informed that there was a flight leaving 2 hours before my scheduled flight. The lady said to check in at the gate to get on the fligjt as there were 20 open seats. This was a 2+1 plane so that is only about half full.

At the gate the agent told me she would not let me on the plane unless i paid 75$. I told here i would just like stand by. She refused to put me on the list. I asked her if she would reconsider after all were boarded and all stand bys accomadated. Nope! I stood there and watched all of 20 people's board and asked again. I told here i was trying to get home to see y 3 boys. Her answer was "i have 3 kids too. " She refused to let me on. I was polite as i could be and only had a carry on. Even other people at the gate were asking her to just let on.

I have been a loyal American customer for over a decade and have been really let down lately. A few times this year i have flown Delta and could not believe how much better the service seemed to be. What ever they are doing at AA latley is not helping themselves in my eyes. I will be switching where i spend my money i think.

I understand this my be a new change in AA policy but i know gate agents have leeway in controlling boarding. I feel i was treated without compassion or a desire to serve the customer. They should understand that it is a privilage for them that we use their services. Not that they are doing us a favor. Am i wrong? Or was she not able to help me?

Thank you

[A320FAN]

Originally Posted by my3sons

Its the day before thanksgiving and I'm trying to get home to my family. I got to the airport 5 hours early. At check in i was informed that there was a flight leaving 2 hours before my scheduled flight. The lady said to check in at the gate to get on the fligjt as there were 20 open seats. This was a 2+1 plane so that is only about half full.

At the gate the agent told me she would not let me on the plane unless i paid 75$. I told here i would just like stand by. She refused to put me on the list. I asked her if she would reconsider after all were boarded and all stand bys accomadated. Nope! I stood there and watched all of 20 people's board and asked again. I told here i was trying to get home to see y 3 boys. Her answer was "i have 3 kids too. " She refused to let me on. I was polite as i could be and only had a carry on. Even other people at the gate were asking her to just let on.

I have been a loyal American customer for over a decade and have been really let down lately. A few times this year i have flown Delta and could not believe how much better the service seemed to be. What ever they are doing at AA latley is not helping themselves in my eyes. I will be switching where i spend my money i think.

I understand this my be a new change in AA policy but i know gate agents have leeway in controlling boarding. I feel i was treated without compassion or a desire to serve the customer. They should understand that it is a privilage for them that we use their services. Not that they are doing us a favor. Am i wrong? Or was she not able to help me?

Thank you

from the AA.com website:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/stand...ptionsList.jsp

The following passengers may standby at no charge based on availability:

• Customers traveling within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean or Canada with tickets purchased before February 22, 2010
• Customers who purchase unrestricted Economy Class fares (Y, B, H class of service)
• Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
• Active U.S. Military personnel traveling on orders or personal travel
• Active U.S. Military dependents traveling on orders
• American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
• oneworld® Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
• Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type
• AAirpass® members
• First and Business Class MileSAAver® Awards
• First, Business and Economy Class AAnytime® Awards