A funny thing happened on the way to Kansas City – well, not so funny, but interesting in that it may affect you or someone you know in the future and may not make you happy.
I will start off by saying that I do not know if this an across the board standard for American Airlines or just the acts of a single gate agent, but it seems that there is no longer pre-boarding for “those passengers travelling with small children”. While, I am luckily still a member of American’s AAdvantage program with status (though only through the end of 2006), the woman whom I overheard this being said to, was not. She became quite agitated at the fact that she was travelling with her young child and did not get the priveleges normally associated with this fact as has been associated in the past.
Now that Colleen and I have Avery and have travelled by plane with her, I can truly understand this woman’s frustration. To carry your luggage, get into your seat, situate your child (especially when travelling alone with the child), stow all your luggage, etc., it is exhausting and time consuming. Then add into the mix your typical impatient airline passengers, which could only make it worse.
I hope that this is not a new standard practice by American Airlines, as in the future it will affect me and my family. There are not many courtesies and amenities offered by airlines anymore, and this is a courtesy which I feel should stay.
What are your thoughts? Experiences?
