spanishflea

In my experience the average GA despises the premium services team! I guess the way the GA sees it is someone getting in their way and messing up their process. Not exactly a very joined up experience for the airline’s best customers.

stant

with bad GAs, this has been my exact experience.

ryanbriar

100%. The funny thing was that the other GA was the one who suggested it! In any event, I got on the plane and off we went. The FA noted my CK status when doing meals and said thanks for the loyalty etc. First time that has happened in 34 flights

HaleiwaFlyer

The good experiences have been when the premium service agents go up to the GA agent and ask what the situation is and if it’s okay to board the CK; sometimes I get boarded before wheelchairs/disabilities.

When there is no communication, departure at 0 minutes delay is the main goal of gate agents regardless of AAdvantage program loyalty program.

HaleiwaFlyer

Data point: Another fail. HNL to DFW; gate agent mentioned 3 CKs on this flight, two of us boarded when CK called. Upon arrival on Sunday morning; no service reps in sight for any of us.

Edit: On departing flight, did get a call from
CK agent at DFW if I needed any assistance; better than nothing; but a fail in effort to show up at the gate as the premium service agents typically do.

LAXJFKesq

That hasn't been my experience. As a weekly AA traveler, gate agents attitude can vary regardless of status. For example, I travel with a bag that easily fits in the overhead. I fly flagship first only. Yet, depending on the day...which agent, I am told I need to check it while waiting to board because it doesn't fit neatly in that stupid contraption at the gate. The CK/premium services rep saves me. It has happened more than once.

stant

If you dont mind me asking, where were you - or the other CKs (if you know) flying on to? I'm curious if your experience confirms my idea that they wont, or at least are less likely to meet you at the gate if you are continuing on domestically.

I'm not saying they wont advocate for you, just that they dont have control over the situation. when the computers took me off of a flight I was close to missing, the gate agent acted like it was my fault they might not make D0 even thought the premium services agent transferred me the 20 gates at DFW I had to go to get to my connection without so much as thinking of touching the brake pedal (the premium services agent called ahead asking them to hold the door from closing). she wanted to put me in the back even though I booked in first and there were 10 pax in first that hadent showed up at the gate yet. the premium services agent flat out told me she couldnt overrule the GA. despite being there next to me saying I should be in F. the GA was so stubborn on the issue she actually upgraded someone in coach to F so that she could give me her COACH seat.


Though I will say it's funny how different members have different experiences. I travel with one of two backpacks because I hate checking bags and have had to run through a terminal or three. My big backpack does. not. come. close to fitting in the sizer when full. If I want to put it into the overhead longwise, I have to reach into the overhead from an adjacent cell, hold the end of the bag up at an angle, then close the door, otherwise the bag is too long to let the door close. Ive had that bag with me on hundreds of flights. I have never once been asked to check it by an American or US air agent.

HaleiwaFlyer

Continuing to PDX; had a long layover. Not sure about the other two CKs. Same thing happened on my other CK flight, when two of us were on the HNL-DFW flight, one was going to DCA, and myself going to PDX. I will say, I got picked up two flights ago by CK agent when I used my BA Gold, but changed FF number less than 24 hours from flight.

The service rate, even on domestic is much less than prior. I think I was batting 25-50% couple of years prior….but for 2024-2025 CK year; it’s been abysmal. These are the same exact routes that I am comparing to.

HaleiwaFlyer

Mod, please erase. duplicate. Thanks.

snydert

I've never been asked about my luggage and often travel with my expander fully unzipped. It definitely wouldn't fit in the sizer.

FullFare

Wow. Not like CK is getting you respect at LAX. Sounds like agent found his/her calling in a controlling job. Just another control freak to work around in our day-to-day affairs.

ryanbriar

Which on the T in F makes little sense in general given the in situation. I had a similar situation in late ‘19 where the agent was clearly salty I showed up at T-18 (back when it was a T-10 cutoff) and wanted to check my bag as they were “running out of bin space”. I said why don’t I have a look in F and refused to hand the bag over. Sure enough all of the F bins in proximity to my seat were 100% empty.

In your instance, was the goal to get a cart transfer to the next gate / FL or just a “check-in” from the rep with details of the upcoming flight etc.? If it was the latter and not on a tight connection or where a cart doesn’t make sense, a proactive text is fine by me as I then know someone’s monitoring things on my behalf.

Different story if things are going sideways, but then I’d rather have the rep find a way to prevent the GA from going full D0 if there’s a shot I’ll make the flight.

I wouldn’t be surprised if each station has a cheat sheet in terms of when a cart is needed based on logistics between gates (e.g., H/K to L at ORD gets a cart, but within H/K does not).

Unrelated — there was a CK rep once we got off the bus from the plane at HND. Provided us with an escort through immigration to the JAL domestic bus. He mentioned that he’d see us at the gate, but that didn’t happen (totally fine). It was quite nice and saved us some time. What would be really value-add (but not expected) would be a car between the plane-T3 then T3-T1

HaleiwaFlyer

A check in is fine, like a text/call. We use to get much more texts and calls/golf cart rides than before.

+1 on the cheat sheet, and pretty sure they prioritize tight connections. I know for LAX, they tend to nearly always offer a tarmac ride to/from Eagles nest for CKs, but not much if you depart T4/T5 domestically.

astebel

Another situation last evening trying to go from PHL to LAX. Firstly ----- no groups called but people just started walking up after preboards and were let on.... then group 2 and 3 called... We had weather, can't do much about that but the bags had not been taken off from the plane after it had landed. We were delayed but the weather cleared up but couldn't leave because there was no ramp crew so they could get the bags of.... ended up sitting at the gate for 6 1/2 hours. The majority of the time was trying to find ramp crew. No food.... finally the crew timed out and we were deplaned and left on our own. Weather was not the cause but directly from AA ramp crew being non-existent. But of course, they will not give vouchers for meals or rooms because it wasn't maintenance. No call from CK for the 2nd time I had IRROPS this month with info or to help with rebooking. I did it myself. So again..... what is the point. My next flight is with UA.

HaleiwaFlyer

Since you are LAX based, maybe try out Delta as they have a decent operation there. Delta SkyClub much better than UA domestic lounges. Delta's boarding much better than UA's, especially if you purchase first/business class, even as a UA 1k.