This thread is just getting to funny
OK.. Another story! Not related to the current paranoia over security, but example of total retardness in action.
I have the odd claim to fame of having been evicted from an aircraft operated by American Airlines - who else?
Story starts on a flight to the Caribbean. The aircraft was an hour late in departing as usual - this time they could not allocate an air crew. Eventually part of the crew arrive then an obviously flustered lady pretending to act as the cabin crew supervisor. We get on board the aircraft and get seated - no problems.
One of AA flight crew in transit elsewhere tries to take a seat in the row in front - then stops and looks towards the rear of the aircraft and addresses the "flustered lady" and says, "I'd appreciate if you would kindly move your baggage off the passenger seats before passengers board the aircraft". That may be bad move one. She comes rumbling along moaning about moving her baggage to allow this guy to take a seat. But..... tolerance is a good thing.
Next is the routine check all baggage is secured and under seats and get your seat belt on. Another cabin crew, (his name turned out to be David, despite that, he was an OK guy), member goes along checking and leans over the to passenger with me and asked her to stuff some junk she had under the seat - no problem, done.
Then all hell seemed to break out, David looks at the rear of the aircraft and is obviously puzzled. At this time we are on the runway ready to take off. I turn round to see what David is looking at. Shit - it's this neurotic bitch stapped into her seat at the rear with her arm outstretched and waving her finger at me (duh??) and her hair flying in all directions. I ask David what the problem is with the flight crew supervisor?? He's not too sure by this time
Next the pilot announces we have a slight problem and need to return to the ramp. The silly bitch has obviously told the flight crew she has a problem. Anyways, while the aircraft is going back to ramp, we chat with David and find out the cabin supervisor thinks we are the source of her problems and get his AA number and ask him to provide the ID for the cabin crew supervisor, which he did.
We all depart from the aircraft and the first time any of us spoke to the supervisor was on the way out was to say that her conduct was disgusting and she was clearly unfit to be in a postion of guiding passengers in the event of any emergency.
Anyways... we left the aircraft and airport security and law enforcement were fine. The flight took off and we chatted with the law and an AA representative who was apologetic and confirmed they would book us on the next flight out and suggested a complaint be made to the airline hub at Forth Worth.
A few days later the first letter of complaint was sent to American Airlines - then another, then another ad nausea. Eventually a reply arrives with an apology, but avoidance of any admission of error on their part, and with reference to us taking a flight to Johannesburg (DUH??). I've never had the pleasure of visiting Johannesburg and the last thing that would be considered is using American Airlines
There is definately two planets on this earth - and some folks live on the other one.
PS... Then there was the American Airlines aircraft that thought it could fly with a broken windscreen in the flight deck - that had to be grounded by staff at another airport - but hell - that's another story