[Misticmuse]

In January of this year, I returned from a trip to Madrid on AAL, having flown on a paid for, not mileage, First Class/Business Class ticket. My final destination, LAX. Upon arrival, despite the class of ticket and luggage being tagged "Priority", my luggage somehow did not make it at the transfer point at JFK. AAL had three (3) hours in which to make the transfer, but failed. I was met with snotty, disrespectful baggage agents. I was told I could either wait for my bags or get them on Monday (this was Saturday night at 6pm). I explained to them my work clothes, and several personal items that I could not quickly replace were in my bag. I was sick at the time and wanted to go home, it was pouring rain, and I knew I would have at least a 2 hour drive home. I told them to deliver my bag that evening. I was told they did not deliver over the weekend. Again explaining I was on another plane Monday morning at 6am, their response was "well I guess you'll get it when you get back or you'll have to wait for the next flight and see if it comes in". See if it comes in? I ended up waiting almost 3 hours because, of course, the flight was late. No apologies, no compensation.
The end of June, I came back from a trip to Houston on a Sunday night. Fortunately, I had most of the next day off before I had to drive to my next job site. Although they had over 5 hours to get the bag from the ticket counter to the plane (I flew directly from Hobby to ONT), my bag did not make it. After several long hours on the phone, at least four (4) different stories on where my bag was/wasn't and when it would be delivered, it wasn't until the next day, some four (4) hours after they said I would get it. When I escalated this to Customer Service, I was sent a form for lost luggage, nothing to do with my complaint of all the hassle and different stories, run around, etc. I did received compensation in the form of a voucher.
Now today, a flight that originated in Montreal. I know they had my bag because they photograph the bag, with the tags, at the drop off and have you confirm at Customs that it is your bag. Not trusting them, when I transferred at DFW, where they had two and a half hours (2.5) to transfer my bag, I was told they could not confirm it was on my final flight to ONT, but that it was at least checked to ONT. I arrived and no bag. I ended up going to the ticket counter where the Supervisor was, her name was Sue S., and I started my contact with "I'm the ****** off traveler who's bag you've lost for the third consecutive flight on AAL". Some guy in street clothes, who was behind the counter, butted in to say "yeah, blame her like she is the one who lost your luggage" I told him this was none of his business and to butt out. He said it was, and when I asked who he was, he replied "never mind who I am, that's none of your business". I told him that this was none of his business and to go away. He told me I should be nicer! Nicer? Really? I asked the Supv. who he was and all she would say is he works for the airlines. As he walked away saying I should be nice to her, I called him an old fart and told him in the future don't butt in on situations. I explained to the Supv. I was upset with her as unfortunately she is the rep. for AAL. I arrived at 1:15p today and got my bag finally at just short of 9:30p. Baggage Claims department tried to offer me $50 or 3k miles. I refused saying that AAL needs to start being accountable and it was going to take way more than that.
AAL is now #1 Worst Airlines in my book. See also another post I'm making about their breaking FAA rules, knowingly letting a non-English speaker sit in an exit row!