John Roa » The Blog

Between work and play, I travel a lot. I’ve had some very interesting airport/flying experiences – ranging from sitting next to an Olympian on her way to the Games, watching a young lady get taken off the plane on a stretcher from being too drunk BEFORE the flight took off for Vegas and the captain accidentally leaving his cabin microphone on and telling his co-pilot about his … exciting night.

And while frustration is common with delays and changes, my frustration on an American Airlines flight to San Diego, CA yesterday was a different breed:

Roughly 45 minutes into the flight, they started the beverage offerings and I ordered my traditional mini-bottle of fine Chardonnay for $5.00. I hand the flight attendant a crisp $20.00 bill that I had just taken out of an ATM and am told he will return with change. I drink my wine, read my book and fall to sleep about an hour later.

At some point between that time and landing, I feel something lightly grace my hand and I look up with one opened eye to see the attendant sliding my change under my hand, trying not to wake me. I woke up and got settled, looked down at the change and realized  he had only given me $5.00 back. No worries – it happens. I hit the little button above my seat, the same attendant came over and I alerted him of the mix-up.

He came back about 10 minutes later with the correct change, at which point I was done thinking of the situation … until the gentleman sitting next to me sits back down from his bathroom break. He reports that as he is waiting for the restroom, he sees the attendant laughing with someone else in the back room while he removes the owned $10.00 from his personal wallet, makes some kind of sarcastic comment and then comes to deliver my money.

Really?

I consider myself a generous guy, but a self-imposed 200% tip by the attendant is a little much, especially when he was trying to take advantage of the fact I was asleep and not thinking about my change. I liked American Airlines. While it’s no Virgin, I fly it over 50% of the time … at least I did. I couldn’t believe what had taken place, and am horribly disappointed in American Airlines. I might still push a formal complaint, however I would rather rely my loyal blogospherians to closely consider which airline they choose for their next trip. I know I will.

Have your own American Airlines story? I’d love to hear it.