And I agree that it is legal and that is why in my post I said that in court "it won't hold" in other words it might be an easy win for the customers.
But, at the same time, AA was operating under some assumptions, and that was that there won't be abuses like these going on. Now even though the contract says this and that, wouldn't your agree that selling the extra seat or booking it under a false name, in mind of most people is equivalent to abuse? I am using a common sense definition that appeal to some sense of "fairness" in everyone. Not the legal definition of it.
So to recap, AA was stupid for not fixing up the contract correctly, BUT these passengers, if this goes to the media or jury can be made to look like opportunists who are ruining and destroying a company. At least there is a PR opportunity there for AA that is contrary to what the grand-parent posted, that this is a 100% PR loss for AA and the PR loss is actually worth the $10mil/year or so loss from these customers.
>>AA was operating under some assumptions, and that was that there won't be abuses like these going on.
Please, I mean I agree with you about the abuse to an extent. But I can't imagine for a moment, how some one can go about things like this which involve tens of millions of dollars without proper paper work.
This sort of a scheme shouldn't ideally get out without reviews with the legal department. I mean any thing like this should really have some clauses for handling traditional definitions of fraud.
This looks plainly stupid on behalf of the company. I still don't see customers responsible for the abuse. Its like a lottery, If I win a lottery then the lottery company must not complain I am taking home millions after investing merely some $10. If that is what should worry them, then they shouldn't offer the lottery at the first place.
But, at the same time, AA was operating under some assumptions, and that was that there won't be abuses like these going on. Now even though the contract says this and that, wouldn't your agree that selling the extra seat or booking it under a false name, in mind of most people is equivalent to abuse? I am using a common sense definition that appeal to some sense of "fairness" in everyone. Not the legal definition of it.
So to recap, AA was stupid for not fixing up the contract correctly, BUT these passengers, if this goes to the media or jury can be made to look like opportunists who are ruining and destroying a company. At least there is a PR opportunity there for AA that is contrary to what the grand-parent posted, that this is a 100% PR loss for AA and the PR loss is actually worth the $10mil/year or so loss from these customers.