[oh my]

If it was known in costa rica that they were going to be 2 and 1/2 hrs late, she should have been rebooked before she even left. Either on a later flight out of DFW, or maybe even the next day out of costa rica, but on something... That is the best way to prevent this exact situation. Plus, in costa rica, she still had options. Most people are much happier when they have options, instead of being stuck with whatever is left.

Since the delay was due to weather, consider her lucky that she got the Ramada room. They have no obligation to give you anything when a delay is due to weather, as the weather is not under AA's control. In fact, if it were up to any of the airlines, there would never, ever be bad weather anywhere. And i'm sure they would have confirmed her, if any seats were available on anything to San Antonio that night. Unfortunately, though, that is not always the case. Especially when there are irregular opeartions affecting a hub airport.

Also, the agents of any airline are legally forbidden to give out any information about a passenger to anyone. We can tell you about flight status, i.e. if flights are on time, delayed, in flight, when they are due to arrive, etc... so if you have someone's flight information, we can answer those questions. But we can not tell you if someone is on a flight. It doesn't matter if you have the same last name, or if it's your 90 year old grandfather with asthma. It may seem like an inconvenience when you are waiting to pick someone up, but if you have ever known anyone who has had restraining orders filed to protect themselves, been stalked, harrassed, or even kidnapped, you would be thankful that we don't give out that information. The airlines hope that passengers communicate with anyone waiting for their arrival to update them of their status, should things change. I don't think that is an unrealistic expectation of the traveling public, not to mention common courtesy and common sense. I have given my cell phone to numerous people over the years so they could call so-and-so to inform them of new plans. And, yes, the police can help you in this situation. If they feel you have valid concerns, they can ask the airline about specific passengers. This situation is usually a delicate one, but if law enforcement is involved, the airlines usually do what they can to help.

It is unfortunate that this was apparently not communicated very well to you or your mother. Corbel is right, though, about the medicine. If she put her NECESSARY medication into a checked bag, then I have no sympathy. Sorry. And in the last agent's defense, if you threatened me in ANY way, i'd call the police on you, too. What he or she said was inappropriate. I completely agree with you. But don't threaten, put your hands on, or throw things at me. EVER. That, to me is remarkable and unacceptable.