ww--I could take a frieghter
The Miami latin american travel agent had some simular creative approaches: Miami to Caracas to BA--the long flite was half empty for about us$1200. I've dome the Mexicana special with stopp off in Mexico City--it was not half bad--despite Jacksons attempt at humor, Mexicana is far more riliable than Aerolinas. There are connections through all the major South American major cities--booking is a ***** and lost luggage a likihood.
I actually like flying thru NYC--I get 24 hours to visit friends or family there at no cost and rack-up those ff miles to business upgrades and to keep my AA platinum status for those cheapy upgrades priorities.
WALLEY-Llorrena at Newport--would you pm me her cell#.
I have too many regulars at Newport to start on a new one. Maybe she'll see me outside of the bar.
from which originating airport?
[QUOTE=Sidney]I waited 75 minutes to check-in. Employes said that was typical![/QUOTE]In my opinion, if you make this flight (or similar long hauls) more than a couple times a year, you should consider buying the admiral's club membership. With EP status, I think it is $300 (or you can use miles) That way, you can cool your heels in the lounge, check with the ladies at the desk periodically and make your way to the gate at the last minute. Also, if there is something wrong with the flight (count on it when flying to EZE) you can rebook or whatever with the lady at the desk in the lounge (one of the reasons I keep checking with them to see if the status changes) It also pays to be polite to the desk personnel (even if you are tired and have been on the road for many hours) In all likelihood, they have had a worse day than you. More than likely, at some point before you cast your shadow on that desk, some jerk ripped her a new one for something that was entirely beyond her control. A smile, a 'how are you?', 'I think you might be the only one at AA that can get anything done', etc. And a little charm goes a long way (like perfume and other small gifts for chicas)
I tend to travel a lot (120k-200k air miles / yr) so I also try, even if it costs a little more for tickets over the course of a year, to book as much of my travel as possible on AA. If I fly another airline in the alliance, I will book and AA ticket (code share) on that flight if possible. The EP status comes with 8 system wide upgrades and the AA personnel do treat you a little better when they know how much time you spend on their planes.
One flight to EZE, a year or so ago, the 10pm flight was initially delayed. The lady at the AC desk was on the walkie talkie with the guys in the ground crew (on the plane and runway) and was able to tell me that the flight was canceled (and going out the next morning) before any announcement was made. She then booked me into an airport hotel (covered by the voucher she gave me) As she was doing this, I got a text message from AA about the flight status change and then the PA announcement was made. I was getting ready to leave the lounge (reservation and voucher in hand) as everyone else was learning about the cancellation. The hotel was way over booked (waited 45 mins in a huge line to check in) I was one of the last people to get a room. I would guess more than one hundred people were turned away, amongst them I recognized many faces from gate 37 (although no cute chicas, to whom I could offer lodging) The next morning, I learned from some of the other folks that most people didn't get vouchers or lodging (I have had that happen before were AA initially starts issuing vouchers and then changes midstream and says "nope.")
In addition to delays related to the equipment (plane) not showing up on time to make the flight, often the cause for the delay is related to the airport to which you will be traveling. I would say that of the 30 something flights I have taken to Bs As, less than 50% have left on time. Delays have ranged from 30 mins to 36 hours. As for flights leaving Bs As for the US, I would guess 70% on-time departure with dealys 30 mins to 14 hours (including one emergency landing and being rerouted through a connection in another US city)