12 hour delay at LAX

[hoofie]

On Tuesday we said goodbye to our American Exchange Student, Age 15, who has spent the last 5 weeks with us.

She managed to do Perth->Sydney and the Sydney->Los Angeles where she had suddenly hit a brick wall with her last flight AA1990 delayed for 12 hours !

I am at a loss as to how an Internal Flight in the US from Los Angeles, from a major carrier, can be delayed for 12 hours? I know airlines run very tight utilisation of aircraft and crews but I would have thought passengers can be rerouted or another aircraft located.

She is fine but LAX is not the best airport I can think of the be stuck in and her parents are obviously anxious to get her home.

Comments anyone or is this just the way things are ? If it was an EU flight compensation would obviously be forthcoming by law.

[ExXB]

Depends on the reason for delay. Have a look at AA's conditions of carriage which will set out their contractional obligations. Don't hold your breath.

AA1990 appears to be AA's last flight of the day to RDU, but connections should have been available. Mystery.

[hoofie]

Cheers - she seems to be taking it in her stride. She has been rerouted through Charlotte and should be in Raleigh by now.

My 15 year old is doing the exact same trip next Tue but her only interest is whether Virgin have wifi across the Pacific SYD-LAX - god forbid she can't Snapchat...

[porch monkey]

No, they don't.

[PENKO]

It's a great life lesson for this 15 year old.

[rgsaero]

If you really want a "great life lesson" involving travel, how about this - 1951 aged 11 unaccompanied - London - Singapore return; with overnights in Cairo and Karachi and fuel stops in Rome, Bahrain and Calcutta. Aircraft - outbound Connie, return Argonaut.

THAT was a great life lesson as we all saw something of every place we stopped, not just the same interminable, identical terminals.

Sadly for the youngsters that's not possible now!

[vfenext]

FYI it might help to be aware that some airlines will treat a 15yr old as an unaccompanied minor (usually its 12yrs old or less) for an extra cost. Not ideal but may put your mind at rest if you've got concerns for their safety.