Had an interesting experience at MIA last night. Had a 2 hour connection from POS and on to IAH. The baggage from the flight took an hour to show up, but this was an annoyance compared to the rest of the night. Showed up to the gate half hour early after grabbing something quick at centurion lounge and noticed no boarding had started. Finally around the actual flight time a delay was announced, due to plane problem. Told that alternative plane may be used. Half hour later, told no update, sorry. Hour later, told no update. Another hour passes by, update saying no update. Finally around midnight, the crew walked off the plane due to lack of rest, and the agents announced free hotels for all and the flight would leave 10 hours later. Agents seemed annoyed and seemingly would've preferred to have us there all night. As we lined up at the gate, they told us to go to the gate behind us. Then, two minutes later they told people from that gate to go to another gate for rebooking since there were snacks and toiletries at that gate. Agent was friendly enough, put people at various hotels, I was at the EB which was impressive. Said that actually no toiletries existed and to ask the hotel. Also said that hotel shuttles stop running at midnight so spent half an hour figuring out how to use supershuttle in the middle of the night since we got a $12 voucher. Agent initially sent us outside to arrivals but the embassy suites driver told us to go downstairs to departures. Which looking back makes sense, but I guess at that time of the night at an unfamiliar airport would be tough to figure out. All supershuttle kiosks empty, but finally someone shows up and books. But then two vans drive by, since our booking doesn't match up to the driver's tablet. Finally get to hotel around 130 AM, only to see hotel shuttle was running all along. Should've called hotel straightaway, but guess I wasn't thinking straight at midnight. In morning, get to gate only to see yet another 2 hour delay. All in all, 14 hour delay. But to be fair, AA did give everyone on the flight 15k miles each in the end, which was totally unexpected. But the way it was handled in the airport itself was an embarrassment. Agents seemed annoyed to do their job, and didn't help people actually get to hotels. I felt really bad for the elderly and the people who didn't speak English, agents should've been around in the area where the shuttles were supposed to be to guide people. Some gave up and just slept on the floor in the airport. Will make me avoid MIA in the future. Have flown into FLL and just a much better experience.
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