AA Chat/Lounge Thread

Just figured we'd start one where people can easily pass a few minutes in between other tasks or ask a quick question without worry of search etc.

Thanks for starting this Ten! Might be also a good place to post weather issues (delays and such) into a centralized area.....

I'm sure it'll find its use.

Nice lounge you have here Tenmoc

Well they all start somewhere. It'll be what it is when it gets there.

True. Am also hoping that newbies feel free to ask any questions here as well. In comparison to the other airline lounges on MP and their predecessors on TOBB, this place is more or less really new.

So...today's question: What can be done (if anything) regarding lengthy international flights that actually arrive early in the US to reduce their wait on the tarmac? See http://articles.chicagotribune.com/..._1_tarmac-rule-overseas-flights-tarmac-delays

I've often had tarmac waits, well at least at the gate usually but with the door closed at JFK after EZE overnights. See customs doesn't open in NYC until 6am. So they can't let you off the plane even if you're early. Of course there's a 10-15 minute walk to get there, but you still can't get off the plane until 6am.

As for some of the examples of them coming in and waiting, its all about planning. Hopefully its gotten better since the other runway reopened.

Imagine if customs opened late....would the airline be subject possibly to the new tarmac waiting rules/fines??

In other AA travel news today, the long planned refurbishment of Terminal A started this week on Wednesday. Gates A1-A17 are affected (with A1-A12 closed for the next 14 months or so) See http://milepoint.com/forums/posts/446495/

A needs it. Although I sort of like the A AC in DFW. I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm only in it on my way home.

Definitely agree A needs it. Actually so do B and C as well.
Interestingly, we flew back from DFW to home early on Monday out of A (A17) and did not see any indication of things being prepped for closure.

I think that speaks more to the condition of A already.

LOL.
I hope they improve the lighting conditions - parts of A were awfully dingy/dim.

That's the big thing for me in A. Its so dark. Its also why I think D is so nice. Its so open/airy/naturally lit.

I am really wanting to take a trip to SFO to check out T2 there and the new AC. Just have to find a nice fare.

That last part is the hard part...but I hear you - would love to see SFO again anyways

I know it sounds cheesy, but if you get up there I really recommend R&J Lounge in Chinatown for the Salt and Pepper Crab. It was on No Reservations and was as good as they made it seem.

Any ideas if it's worth upgrading from J seats to F seats on a 762? One of those flights sold as 2 class.

How much is the upgrade and how long is the flight? You are going from a cradle seat to a "lie-flat" (at an angle I think) seat...

Its just about 1100 miles. 3 certs. So expensive in that regard, but.

Don't you mean R&G?

Yes. Yes I do. Thanks for picking that up.

What a real shortsighted move by AA on gate-checking strollers.....yet another reason for young families to fly on another airline What defines a large stroller???

See http://milepoint.com/forums/posts/482719/ and http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/childrenTraveling.jsp#strollerdisclaimer

Well I'll speak only as a non parent that often uses the term "sidewalk tank."

Strollers in general are too big these days. They're building them so parents and put children who should be able to walk themselves can still ride because its easier than disciplining them.

I support society pushing back on some of these things.

That said, definitely a reason to look elsewhere from AA if you want to use such a device.

I can understand eliminating non-collapsible. And 20 lbs seems reasonable.....in theory.

My problem lies with the term "large". What does it mean? It seems a gate agent can...on her/his own....decline to gate-check a stroller which is collapsible and lets say weighs 10-15 lbs. Now what does the parent do?

Well there is that. Hopefully they make examples available on the website etc.

I just got a twitpic from AA saying their fleet is expanding, check back on Monday. More options being picked up? or delivery of something?