Refusal To Board

June 6, 2008

in Airport Stories

Monday, June 23, 2008, O’Hare, American Airlines: The gate agent asked to check my boarding pass, then told me that she was not allowing me to board the plane and that she had the authority to do so because I had booked my flight June 22 ($847) the day before. The gate agent said she was arranging a bus ticket for me from O’Hare to Milwaukee. I informed the gate agent that no, hell no, I was not accepting a bus ticket. The gate agent then canceled my flight – my travel agent looked up the reservation and was aghast that my itinerary had been canceled. The gate agent eventually processed a ticket after I told her that if I did not have a valid ticket and boarding pass, why did I just see my luggage loaded onto the plane.

During the ranting and raving at the gate counter I overheard the two women gate representatives discussing their ‘friend’ that didn’t show up. I am very glad that he didn’t make the flight and that the old gal from Tulsa was not the pushover they thought she was. I sincerely hope that American Airlines does not let this slide. I have always had great service from American and this is a huge disappointment.

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Anonymous July 7, 2008 at 8:42 pm

I failed to explain well enough I am afraid. One of 4 flights has minor delays or things that can be explained. The other three of the four result in issues such as those I or the writer of this post describe.

On more than one occasion it has taken aa MUCH longer to get me home than I could have driven from destination 14 hours away for my home.

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Anonymous July 8, 2008 at 8:36 am

pretty normal for the airline from hell.

Last episode with aa I was involuntarily bumped in Chicago "due to the humidity"

I was offered a hotel voucher, meal ticket,$250 voucher for future travel and a 6:30 AM flight the next morning. I refused all ranted and raved and they flew me to an airport 100 miles from my destination ASSURING me aa would pick up the rental car tab if I would mail it the adress on this card.

8 weeks and after sending my receipt I got the form letter apology and the 250 dollar voucher I refused in the first place for an 889.oo flight.

I average only minor delays and screw-ups by aa on one out every 4 flights with them. Next time, I will take their beating, and then sue them in small claims for violating their contract of carriage. We will see how much mnoey they spend and how much the hot shot lawyers enjoy spending a few days in a dry county in the south. Our state laws say no show, no win. Thye either show up to defend my claim against them or I win.

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Anonymous April 2, 2009 at 11:01 am

Isn't taking a bus from O'Hare to Milwaukee easier than the plane anyway? I would have taken the bus.

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Adam January 2, 2014 at 10:00 pm

Several years ago I used to routinely fly out of Milwaukee, connecting through O’Hare, and the flight was delayed more often than not, which always meant several people not making their connections.

As a result, I’ve made that trip several times in a hummer limousine packed with 15-20 people.

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ken April 4, 2009 at 2:49 am

This doesn't make sense. You argued with her to finally just say "hey thats my luggage" then she let you on?

>> I CALL BS.

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ken April 6, 2009 at 10:55 am

kevin you cant call bs because you MUST be on the flight with your luggage.

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Anonymous May 19, 2009 at 8:53 am

her luggage is what saved her, or she would have been denied. and i would not have taken an $847 bus ride either.

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