[sseider1]

The arbitrary seat switching is becoming a trend. I am booked on a flight Sept 23, 2008 from LA - London.... well over a month away. I booked early to ensure I could get the seating I wanted. In fact, I planned my trip around what seating was available. Today I was re-checking and noticed my seat assignments had been changed. The first customer service agent was so rude, she hung up on me! The second said (after about 15 mins on hold) that there was an equipment change. I said no there is not. Same aircraft, same schedule. She agreed but said she couldn't do anything. I then emailed customer relations and they told me my seat was reassigned as a routine security procedures and to maintain inflight security they could not provide more information! Absolute hogwash! Pulling the old security trick out of the hat now! My thoughts are; maybe there is an air marshal in which case, a seat should be reserved on every flight and not available for selection; maybe I am not good enough to sit in the seat I chose; or more likely, some AA employee switched the seats for themselves for a friend. I notice people state that seats are not guaranteed and the AA customer relations has the nerve to say choosing a seat is a "Perk". However, I can find no where on the AA site including under the terms of carriage that states they have the right to change seating assignments in this manner. Usually, when one purchases an item, they are required by law to meet the terms of the contract. I purchased a flight, selected a seat and should receive what I paid for unless there are some mitigating circumstances such as the plane breaks down and is replaced with a different aircraft. The airline industry seems to be forgetting who there customer is.