unsatisfactory and unsafe service on flight 4462

Oh my goodness... what a self righteous reply.

I too have had really horrible experiences on AA... hell with pretty
much any carrier nowadays.

But I never thought I was *privileged* enough to expect such
compensation for what you show to be a minor inconvenience.

I'd rather be a few degrees warmer during the flight, than 3-4 hours
delayed.

And as another person said, if you are truly the owner of such a
business, you should have elite status which lets you have these
upgraded rights anyhow. Or go rent a private jet, ;) then you don't
have these things to worry about.

If you own such a company, why don't you have a private jet?

The alternative would have been to cancel the flight or a several hour
delay. Which would you rather have?

because you are an owner of anything?

The situation should dictate what you are owed, if anything, not how
self important someone thinks they are.

I hardly belive that a non working A/C and a non working sink is a
safety hazzard. Inconvience yes. I also dont see it being unhealthy.
I dont use the water to wash my hands on a airplane anyways, I use
hand sanitizer. I mean where does the water come from that is being
pumped into the sink?

Oh my goodness gracious! Do I feel for you! This is totally, totally
*unacceptable*. 2 free tickets to anywhere in the US is the least they
could do for you. Absolutely!

Linda, if you were flying by yourself when this happened (you didn't
mention a companion) why are you asking for 2 free tickets?

This flight was actually operated by American Eagle Airlines, not
American Airlines. AA simply sold you the ticket as a code-share
agreement.

I disagree that there were any safety risks. AC and running water are
not necessary.

"what else is going to go wrong next."
The airframe and powerplant mechanical issues are completely separate
of cabin mechanical issues.
Anything about the airplane itself or the engines related to flying
and handled by certified mechanics, and everything is checked off
before each flight.

In-Cabin maintenance and PM issues are likely handled by a completely
different department separate of the critical skilled aircraft
mechanics.

Many people (not all) who have "acheived" "elite" or "elevated" status
in our society feel entitled to things, or try to make it seem that
they know more than you do about your job. If I had a dollar for the
times I have heard "I'm a Doctor/Lawyer/Professor or I manage a
company/I'm in customer service/I own my own business I swear I'd be
rich.
For me specifically, I manage a car rental company-so unless you own a
car rental company yourself, got your Doctorate in Car Rental, or
passed the State Car Rental-Bar exam, chances are I know my job and
business a whole lot better than the customer does.

I'm the president of the Northeast Book Readers and Bagel club, do I
get something for free? If not, I'll take our business elsewhere. :)

Seriously though, and off the soapbox-what you described are not
"mechanical" problems-but minor issues. Yes, they were a pain to deal
with, I'll agree with that. I think American owes you an apology,
which will come in the manner of a standardized form, I am sure. I
don't think they will give you anything more-and I agree with them on
that-maybe if you have FF miles they will add some to your bank.

So if it was me (who is not an "owner of a multimillion dollar
company" - I wouldn't be entitled to anything???? As the owner of
this company-wouldn't you have a private plane?

An owner of a "multi million dollar company" would surely be happy to
ultimately arrive safe and on time. Sounds like a tyrant (oops tirade)
to me.

Sorry to hear about your uncomfortable flight.

From your letter it sounds like it was a short flight. The kind
typically taken by business commuters with strict deadlines to meet.
The switch to a 2nd plane would have taken quite a bit of time, it's
not like they have a 2nd empty backup plane just behind yours in case
something is slightly amiss.

Air travel is highly regulated and the government requires
inspections. I highly doubt there were other more serious mechanical
troubles you didn't know about. But, I see how it could feel that way.
Sink water and AC are creature comforts that don't effect safe timely
air travel (I think they are even completely independent from any
other operation on the plane).

How other passengers do you think formally complained about this? How
many more do you think would have complained if the flight was delayed
over this and they missed their meetings?

Two free tickets on an airline of your choice seems a bit much. More
appropriate compensation would be something like airline miles, a
partial discount on this flight, or maybe a discount on a future
flight.

Best of luck in reaching an amicable resolution.

Just curious, what do you feel someone who DOESN'T own a multi million
dollar business is entitled to? Anything?

the same question. If i'm just a SAHM and not the owner of a
"multimillion dollar company" and I am on the same flight. Does that
mean that i'm not entitled to any sort of compensation?

that they would even take off with multiple mechanical issues like
this! I was delayed on a flight from Chicago/O'Hare to Cleveland
because of a burned out landing gear light. Seriously! A light bulb
was out and we waited in the terminal for 2 additional hours! Makes
me wonder what else was wrong with the plane that they DIDN'T tell
them about!

But I think most people are taking issue with your suggestion that you
are somehow so valuable that you are due compensation for the
inconvenience. American's only responsibility is to give you safe
transport to your destination. Nothing more.

While there are almost always glitches and inconveniences when
travelling, none of them entitles you to anything, no matter WHO you
are.

General Motors.

Do you feel you are entitled to special benefits that the rest of us
aren't? I mean, I don't own anything but a sub-million dollar home
and some vehicles, sadly none collectable. But I thought that each
passenger was afforded the same rights. Those rights don't include
much free for broken air conditioning and a broken sink. Maybe free
beverages. Free tickets, no. Very warm is a lot different than
"hot".

I don't know where the "free tickets on an airline of my choice"
requests originated, but I would think a person would be thrilled just
to get free tickets on *any* airline.

As the owner of multimillion dollar whatever, I would think you would
have your own, meticulously maintained company jet. I was also
surprised that your company is international, but you wanted only
domestic tickets.

Hum, I'm not sure an uncomfortable 2 hour flight is worth 2 tickets
anywhere in the US.

Maybe a partial refund on your ticket at best. From what I read,
there weren't any actual damages, other then your feeling that things
were't right. You don't mention getting sick from the lack of
handwashing, nor from the warm cabin. Nothing else did go wrong, in
spite of your concern.

I can imagine a letter from one of your fellow passengers if they had
delayed the flight, talking about how bad the airline was for delaying
a 2 hour flight for such minor things...

1. I don't think your owning a large company entitles you to
compensation -- if you are owed compensation, it's for the
inconveniences you encountered during your flight.

2. Sounds like it was a two-hour flight. I suppose they figured few
people would use the restrooms, especially considering that there'd be
a chunk of time at the beginning and end of the flight where bathroom
usage would not be allowed (since there'd be no walking around the
cabin at those times).

3. I don't think passenger jets use air conditioning. In fact, I'm
quite sure of it. They simply bring in the *very* cold air from the
outside atmosphere. Something seemed to have been wrong with that
system.

4. What if you and other passengers had been given an option: "We
have a plane ready to go, but it will be warm as the air circulation
system is malfunctioning, and there will be no water for washing your
hands. If that is acceptable, this flight will take off in 30
minutes. If that is not acceptable, another plane will be readied at
the soonest opportunity, which could be anywhere from two hours from
now, at a minimum." Wouldn't most people be willing to put up with a
couple of minor inconveniences in order to reach their destinations
that much sooner? I know I would.

I don't think you're owed two free roundtrip tickets, but you're
surely free to ask for anything you want.