ZenFlyer

Fwiw that's not the way I read the tone of the the OP's post at all, quite the opposite in fact. I thought the OP's point was to highlight that something an AA employee initially said was "not possible" turned out to be within their discretion. And moreover, it was the OP's elite (CK) status, rather than any kind of security or need-based reason, that prompted the AA agent to exercise that discretion favorably. (It's also worth noting that the OP's original title for the thread - "Dykia?" - was self-mocking in nature, but was later amended to be more objectively descriptive in accordance with FT rules).

enpremiere

Can confirm this technique works at local library, Starbucks when there is a long line, and Costco.

supermintyfresh

I'm guessing it's against AA's contract of carriage if you just book a cheap same day mileage award, get the boarding pass, then cancel it after you pass TSA to get the miles redeposited?

ehallison

Very shortly after he posted 🙃

I wouldn't have done what he did but won't criticize. One of my kids flew internationally by herself when she was 20. I was pretty nervous about that, but I had just seen the movie "Taken" 😳

carlosdca

Maybe the OP watched Taken, Hostel and Final Destination.

boerne

We do interesting things for our kids. All 3 of my kids made solo international flights before they were 20, by design, all on AA or Oneworld. I think the OP was great doing what he did. Interesting story, daughter, 19, was going to Brisbane, in coach, for a summer job. Got to airport, oops left passport in her bedroom 20 miles away. 100 mph+ back to house to get passport, 100 mph+ back to airport to deliver passport. She made her flight. 1) as a trauma surgeon, I tried to never speed cause people die when too fast. 2) I also wore scrubs most of the time, so if I did get stopped when I was speeding, I could bluff my way out of a ticket.

GoldenArgosy

Maybe if she was 19 and traveling halfway around the world for a job and she still forgot her passport at home.... She didn't deserve the job?

I mean I would have serious doubts about hiring someone who needed their parent to look out for them.

And again, do the 18 year olds joining the military have their parents showing up at bootcamp with the passport they forgot?

Oh.... and what does the fact that she was traveling coach have to do with anything? Just asking.

Antarius

You've never made a mistake in life... ever?

ZenFlyer

(I'm starting to think that just like politics, any discussion of parenting belongs in Omni.)

boerne

interesting response. Coach because this is flyertalk, and I did not buy her ticket or upgrade her. There I did it again I made a flying reference. She had her choice of jobs and this one allowed her to fly to Thailand easier to see her brother. See how clever she was to bundle her flying to 2 new countries without any help.

VegasGambler

I dunno, I forget my phone when I go out about once every month or two. And I'm good for leaving my credit card at a restaurant at least a few times a year. I'd still hire me.

fly747first

A few things:

1. I have been CK for nearly a decade and I think most fellow CKs would laugh at anyone who expects AA to be kind to its customers; sorry but that just isn't in AA's DNA. The airline has been plagued by terrible CEOs and well, more often than not, you have to push AA employees to get what you want, especially airport agents (have gotten several of them fired over the years for trying to steal upgrades for their non-rev friends and family).
2. The reality is that at AA, only CKs and perhaps some high-yielding EXPs are valued by the airline and naturally, employees do fear that upsetting those customers may lead them to lose their jobs.
3. However, in this case you didn't really have a right to expect AA to give you a pass since your son is already an adult and not a child or elderly person needing assistance, though it was very sweet of you to want to be there with him.

dwugson

Unless you want to impress your son about your VIP status or get him access to the Admiral's Club why should he need to be escorted to the gate unless there's an issue you're not mentioning. At 20 I traveled, female on my own, through the US from coast to coast on a Greyhound bus. And survived. At 20 I would have been embarassed if anyone had escorted me to the gate to see me off on the first leg of the trip TATL.

Blueheaven

The AA agent assisting passengers at the baggage line was so helpful and professional. I was helping my wife and autistic child. He has traveled before and he has Precheck too so that helps a lot but with big luggages, the agent took us to a faster agent disability sign bag drop off and she asked her staff for GATE PASS for me but she was like you don't have precheck, I do but I wasn't traveling. I stood in regular line while my wife and child stood in precheck line. after showing my ID and pass, I realized I had pepper spray with my in my belt bag and my option was throw it away or not allowed in, mine is the better quality one so I didn't feel like wasting $20 so I got out of the line, waved and called my wife and explained and advised them for safe and happy travel.
Thank you AA !