I am not on my way to Tokyo and American Airlines is the WORST

I know there are far worse things that can happen in life, but what happened this morning just made me break down crying in the middle of the airport.

Things couldn't have gone smoother earlier. I got up at 4:30, got dressed, did my last minute double-checking and went out the door to catch the shuttle bus to the airport. I got there, easy as pie. I went through security, not a problem. I got some breakfast and sat flipping through a magazine. Then the announcement -- my flight to L.A. was delayed until 3 p.m. because of some hydraulics problem.

My flight out of LAX left for Tokyo at 2:45 p.m. PST.

I stood in line for 90 minutes with dozens of other people trying to get onto new flights. While the attendants took 10 to 20 minutes per person, I was looking online for another flight on any other airline from that airport or the nearest one that would get me to L.A. before 2 p.m.

And there wasn't a plane leaving Washington that I could get to and get to L.A. in time. My trip to Tokyo was lying dead on the tarmac.

I tried to find another flight to Tokyo for later that day from anywhere in the country, nope. The only ones I could find left from LAX and they left early in the afternoon, just like the flight I was doomed to miss. The attendants were not pleasant. They weren't rude, but they were not about to go above and beyond. The best I could do was get booked on the same flight leaving Tuesday morning to make the flight to Tokyo Tuesday afternoon, which means I have to go through this entire process AGAIN and I won't get to Tokyo until Wednesday evening Tokyo time.

I'll lose an entire day on my trip, just like that. It's gone.

I walked away, sat down in a chair and sobbed. I just started bawling. I couldn't believe it. I was this close and now I was stuck. I purposely chose a flight that left early enough that if there was a delay, I'd still get to LAX in time. But no, I did not plan for a 6-hour delay. Yeah, sorry, didn't see that one coming.

The thing that really kills me is that everyone I talked to started doling out coulda shouldas. It pissed me off because it was like I did something wrong or if I was having a problem, it was my fault. "Well, did you do this?" "Why didn't you do this?" "I knew you should have left out of New York." HUH?! I didn't mess up here! I did what I was supposed to do. I did everything right, American Airlines messed up!

I hate American. I took this flight because it arrived at the best time for me for the lowest price. And now look. Oh, and I forgot, but American charges $15 for a checked bag. I spent quite a bit of time arguing with somebody to make sure I don't have to pay that fee AGAIN. And how about a free upgrade to first class... still arguing with someone for that now...

I am just miserable beyond words.

Comments

[savvy]

Sorry to hear you went through that. I'd suggest writing a letter to American and letting them know their customer service (or lack thereof) was unacceptable.

[Sense]

UGH, airlines. i feel ya.

:( that really sucks. complain, complain, complain! in CAPITAL LETTERS.

good on you for negotiating to not have to pay the checked-baggage fee again, even in your distraught state!

you WILL get to tokyo.

[Kristy @ Master Your Card]

Well, I'm a bit late on commenting as I see you've already worked it out and made it to Tokyo. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that! It seems to me you did all of the right things, so don't let the naysayers get you down. I definitely think your money back would be appropriate and then go with another airline. I usually always fly American, but if this is the kind of service and trouble I can expect, I'll switch flights. That's ridiculous that they couldn't accommodate you! But, since you're in Tokyo now, enjoy your vacation and don't think twice about it! Have fun and bring back lots of interesting pics!