[jamesw71]

Strike #1 was when my wife had a stroke when we were in Vegas and we missed our flights back. I had bought insurance, but then was told I wasn't insured, then that I was and had to pay for new tickets but would be reimbursed....but then wasn't because right after I bought new tickets I was told I wasn't insured AGAIN. Talk about accounting screwups.

Strike #2 happened 2 nights ago when my stepdaughter was flying back after visiting for her sisters 8th grade graduation. The pilots and crew of her plane from Ohare to Richmond, VA decided they were not going to fly the return leg and cancelled the flight.

So American Airlines gives her a voucher for a ticket from Delta Airlines. When she left the boarding area to get her new ticket there were no represetatives at the ticketing booths for Delta because the airport had closed and all the booths were closed. After 10pm at night the airport closes and they kick everyone out except for those people with valid tickets who are allowed to go to the boarding gate.

Well since she only had a voucher the security agents would not let her go to the boarding gate, the self serve computer terminals were out of paper (or the paper is removed to prevent terrorists from getting fake tickets not sure) so my daughter had to get a hotel room.

Even though this was entirely the fault of American Airlines for their scheduling conflicts and the crew not wanting to fly another leg back to Richmond. They refused to give her a voucher for a hotel room, even though it costs $280 a night at the local hotel she was referred to.

I called American Airlines and was told it was up to the local agents whether or not they issued vouchers. Since this was obviously and without argument the airlines fault....they should have given a voucher, or at least had someone available from Delta available to issue her a new ticket so she could get thru security instead of being kicked out of the airport.

She tried to talk to the airport employees but Ohare employees at 10pm I have experienced first hand, not very bright, and very uncaring when it comes to the plight of passengers stuck there.

You don't want to get me going on TSA reps.

I for one will not be giving American Airlines a 3rd chance to strike out with me and my family, unless the ticket is a gift or otherwise free....and even then I'd be seriously considering not using it due to the **** poor customer service and the thousands of dollars I have been ripped off of by them.

[SWBlack]

I booked a flight for my 80 year old mother to fly direct from Phx to Chicago. On her flight to Chicago she was given a ride and dropped off curbside for her flight. She tried to check her luggage at the curb, but was told to go inside because there was a problem. THEN, found out that her flight had been cancelled and they could not get her on another direct flight until the following day, same flight.

On the return flight to Phoenix, we again checked her in online and checked before we left home to verify the flight was on time. My son drove her to the airport and helped her check her luggage at the curb and then she went inside to the wheelchair waiting area. After she waited awhile (and my son drove away) she was told that her flight was (AGAIN) cancelled! Frustrated, she tried to find out what could be done, and AGAIN they could not book her on a direct flight until the following day, same flight. She went to find what became of her luggage and the curbside checkers had sent it on, not knowing how it could be found. After driving back to the airport to get her we tried tracking down the luggage by phone, but to no avail. (It was believed the luggage made it on to an afternoon flight, but could not be verified). There was NO explanation why the flight was cancelled - beautiful weather and the designated airplane had arrived safely from La Guardia airport... So does American just cancel flights according to their fancy these days? Several trips to the airport both on the outbound and inbound flights - and a LOT of inconvenience and stress to a number of people, particularly my 80 year old mother! Unbelievable!!

[MHorton]

I am supprised they didn't charge your mother $150 for her inconvenience!!