Round trip FROM: Colorado Springs, Colorado on 13 July
TO: Ronald Reagan National Airport
On the morning of 13 July at approximately 8:35 AM I departed C/S, Co on American flight AA 1878 with my day completely planned out:
American flight AA 1878 from Colorado Springs, CO to Dallas Fort Worth, American flight AA 1040 from Dallas Fort Worth, TX to Ronald Reagan Natl, DC
National Car Rental pick up at 4:30 PM
Room at Holiday Inn in Springfield, VA check-in between 5 and 6 PM.
Dinner between 6 and 7 PM
Return to room, unpack and prepare my military inform (Active Army) for the following day.
Unfortunately, I did not know the HORRIBLE DAY I was to encounter in the hands of American Airlines Staff. Everything was going well until I boarded American flight AA 1040 in Dallas Fort Worth at approximately 1202 PM. This is when the Nightmare from hell began. After boarding and the Aircraft already in a take-off pattern ready to take off the pilot announced he was returning to the terminal to have AA technician look at the A/C.
After about 30 minutes Pilot announces "AA Technicians have cleared us to fly with just one A/C working at a lower altitude". By this time a stewardess had already rolled her shirt/blouse right below her breast showing her mid section because of the intense heat. Once again the aircraft is in a take-off pattern when pilot is ordered not to take off because of inclement weather in the DC area (thunderstorms). Pilot announces the situation and decides to wait until weather clears to take off and orders passenger to lower window shades to cool the inside of the plane. We (140 passengers) where like held hostage for almost 3 hrs in extreme conditions with no A/C. FINALLY, it had to take a medical emergency for the pilot to return the aircraft to the terminal.
Once at the terminal all passengers awaited for the follow-on boarding call to later find out the flight had been cancelled. After speaking with AA customer service desk the next available flight was at 8 something PM arriving DC at 1135 or 1145 PM. I was not ready to go through a similar NIGHTMARE of getting to DC, pick up rental, drive to Hotel, rush and get myself ready for the following day with possibly little sleep.
I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE but to CANCEL my trip and return home to Colorado Springs.
Hotel Cancelation FEE: $167.86
American Airlines Ticket: $617.48
Being held HOSTAGE: PRICELESS
But, it does not end there. Now, after speaking with their refunds department at 918-254-3777 I was told that I have to file a written refund request with AA for the unused portion of my ticket.
Fly American Airlines???
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