Seems there may be some unofficial IA going on with disgruntled AA pilots

[serfty]

Watch those K/YUPP SC runes in the upcoming weeks. Tight connections may be cause for concern.

Slow taxiing, not flying with defects not on MEL etc.

FT Thread:

Capacity reduction, work slowdowns & related delays, cancellations [Sep -Oct 2012] - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[etops1]

Oh great (!)

So what's the go if you miss a connection and the next flight has no F seats? I really don't care what actual seat I'm in (shock) merely the SC earn. I take it if you're bumped back you only earn the Y rate even if paying for A/F/P. How much pull will a non AA status passenger have with gate staff in regards to rebooking? How would saying "Pay for a hotel stay so I can travel F tomorrow rather than Y tonight" go down?!

In short, how willing are they to play the SC game with me rather than the "We'll just get you to SJU any way we can" game?! :-|

 

[drron]

Yes the pilots are in a huff.Also on Travelling Better-
Pilot union work-action/sickout Sept '12 - Traveling Better Forums

If you are on a Yupp/Kupp and miss a connection you are not quaranteed a seat in F on an alternate flight and you will then get Y points and SCs if back in the main cabin.If you are booked in F you will still get F points and SCs with original routing scenario.

 

[Katie]

Crud. I have some tight (40-70min) connections in ORD and DFW next month. But plenty of time in LAS. And probably a suitcase. Hmm, may finally try the HLO thing.

 

[serfty]

Here's a blow by blow account of the effects of one of these unofficial actions: Recent flight delays, cancellations, & AA responses (Sep-Oct 2012) - Page 43 - FlyerTalk Forums

Originally Posted by panjabi
All pax just got deplaned from AA 414 right now from SFO to DFW.

The pilot decided that not everything was up to specs. The flight was supposed to leave at 2:10 PM PDT.

The pilot, from the moment we walked in, seemed determined to find issues. All of us sitting in First Class could see the action real time. First he found that the air pressure in the tires was too low. Then some guage was "not accurate". Then the "cargo door may not be fully sealed" then something else.
...

 

[maomaocat]

Along similar lines, there's a story in the NY Times titled "A Trans-Atlantic Trip Turns Kafkaesque". I'd post a link to it but the forum isn't letting me!

 

[serfty]

Along similar lines, there's a story in the NY Times titled "A Trans-Atlantic Trip Turns Kafkaesque". I'd post a link to it but the forum isn't letting me!

IMHO the article is a waste of pixels but posted here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....aa-should-not-be-flying-43667.html#post688759

 

[ferni]

Thanks serfty,

I've got some flights book with AA in November that are booked into First (A) and Business (I)... I don't think these are YUPP fares? What do YUPP fares book into?

 

[serfty]

Thanks serfty,

I've got some flights book with AA in November that are booked into First (A) and Business (I)... I don't think these are YUPP fares? What do YUPP fares book into?

Generally A or P for First & I for Business!!!

 

[ferni]

Generally A or P for First & I for Business!!!

Hmm I didn't pick the "instant upgrade" column when booking, I picked the "Business Saver" I think it was... Does that mean i'm on a YUPP fare? More importantly if there are issues with my flights and they need to put me on a different flight will they find one with First or Business seats or put me in Econ and only earn econ SC?

 

[CaviAck]

Hmm I didn't pick the "instant upgrade" column when booking, I picked the "Business Saver" I think it was... Does that mean i'm on a YUPP fare? More importantly if there are issues with my flights and they need to put me on a different flight will they find one with First or Business seats or put me in Econ and only earn econ SC?

I'm in a similar situation but I haven't booked my tickets yet. Planing on doing a LGA-DFW-LAX run in P on a "First Special" ticket. If I get bumped down to Y (or lower...) due to IA will I be able to get original routing SC?

 

[serfty]

I'm in a similar situation but I haven't booked my tickets yet. Planing on doing a LGA-DFW-LAX run in P on a "First Special" ticket. If I get bumped down to Y (or lower...) due to IA will I be able to get original routing SC?

Generally you'll be fine for ORC.

However, the unofficial IA seems to have abated for now with operations back or close to normal.

 

[CaviAck]

Generally you'll be fine for ORC.

However, the unofficial IA seems to have abated for now with operations back or close to normal.

Thanks for the info. Currently in the middle of organising tickets and freaked when I saw the letters "AA" and "IA" and thought I might not make SG.

 

[etops1]

Just finished a run and in the spirit of el cheapo I'm posting this from the LAX Super 8!

7 sectors (1 on American Eagle) over 2 days:
- 4 on time (inc. the Eagle flight)
- 3 major delays, 110mins due to weather/gate issues, 80 mins due to late crew arrival, 60 mins due to crew arriving late the night before (not the same crew)

The delays seemed legit and I had enough fat on the connection times to make it. No taxiing at walking pace and no "mechanical" issues. So it seems there's a lull in proceedings.