Now AA is blaming spilled soda, coffee and snacks.....
Something called the seat lock plunger mechanism can "get gunked up over time with people spilling sodas, popcorn, coffee or whatever and that can affect that locking mechanism on the ground that locks the seat to the floor," airline spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said Friday
So it's nothing to do with the fact these seats happen to be in section that is reconfigured (and hence subject to incorrect installation)... it's soda.
