A TikTok video went viral after a couple and their toddler were denied boarding their flight because they showed up at the gate two and a half minutes late.
American Airlines frustrated the couple so they couldn’t fly from Miami and instead allowed standby passengers on the flight.
The standby couple at the front, to whom the tickets had been reassigned, were then allowed to board.
In the video, which has garnered 4.1 million views on TikTok, Ms Bauer can be seen confronting flight staff at the gate.
She captioned the clip: “Flight open and they gave our seats to someone else even though we have a… child with us.” “What a shame American Airlines.”
Ms. Bauer can be heard saying: “So you’re going to give our places to her?”
The airline employee replies, “Yes, that’s me.” There are still 12 minutes and 27 seconds until departure.’
“It’s still open. I’m Executive Platinum, you know that, right? I’m an Executive Platinum here and you’re giving my ticket to someone else. Wait. “The plane is open, you are just giving away our seats,” says Ms. Bauer.
The airline representative then explains to her that as an Executive Platinum member she should know the rules.
You can hear Ms. Bauer’s husband saying, “If [the flight] was closed, you wouldn’t give it to anyone else.’
The couple who had been assigned their seats and the airline employee then went ahead and boarded the plane – leaving the angry mother, her toddler and her partner at the gate.
The mother added: “They let her in. We were right behind them and they gave up our seats.” Can you believe that? “With our child and everything here.”
The TikToker claims that American Airlines did not resolve her complaint regarding the March 21 incident to her satisfaction.
They reportedly responded to her email on April 28 and said no compensation was possible because the issue was related to a misconduct report that had been filed.
In a separate video, Ms. Bauer admits that she became frustrated and loud, but said she did not disrespect anyone or curse and was not violent or aggressive.
She claimed that when they arrived at the gate and flight staff told her they had finished boarding, she was initially quiet, turned to her husband and said: “We missed the flight.”
Apparently a passerby told the couple that boarding wasn’t closed because they gave up their seats to a couple standing at the counter.
Many people in the comments felt the airline was in the wrong in this case, while other passengers said they had similar experiences.
Jasmine Shrestha wrote: “I missed my international flight!” The gate was open but they said: “No, that’s not possible… I was 18 hours late.”
However, there were some people who believed that the couple who missed the flight was to blame.
“Fool, get to your gate on time!” “Did they buy the plane and all the seats for this flight,” one TikToker wrote.
“Play stupid games and win stupid prizes,” said another, while someone else said: “Yeah, don’t throw the ‘I’m a leader’ platinum if you can’t play by the rules.”
American Airlines’ website clearly states: “Most flights depart 30 to 50 minutes before scheduled departure, but the exact time depends on your destination and aircraft.”
“Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure.” If you are not on board, we can reassign your seat to another passenger. Once the doors are closed you will not be allowed in.’
Flight attendant Mariah also commented sharply on the situation on TikTok.
She said: “Just because the plane is physically there doesn’t mean you can still board.” There’s a reason why you can only check in up to a certain time before your flight departs.
“For most airlines, the flight closes 15 minutes before departure, which means that if you are not there before those 15 minutes, the flight will depart without you.”
“Get to your gate as quickly as possible.” You missed your flight. Be better next time.’
American Airlines has been contacted for comment.
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