The same mistake over and over again.
An airline repeatedly mistook a 101-year-old woman for a baby due to a problem in its reservation system.
Apparently, American Airlines systems cannot calculate that Patricia – who did not want to share her last name – was born in 1922, and not 2022.
The BBC witnessed the latest mix-up, which she and the cabin crew laughed about.
“It was funny that they thought I was a girl and I’m an old woman,” she said.
It happened when Patricia was flying between Chicago and Marquette, Michigan, a trip that this journalist was also on.
Patricia was traveling with her daughter, Kris.
“My daughter booked the ticket online and the airport computer thought that my date of birth was 2022 and not 1922,” he said.
“The same thing happened last year and they were also expecting a boy and not me.”
Patricia’s seat was reserved with an adult ticket.
But it seems that the airport’s computer system is unable to process a date of birth so far in time, so instead it put a person 100 years younger.
Next trip
The former nurse, who flies every year to see her family and escape the cold winters, says that on both occasions the American Airlines staff was friendly and helpful, despite the confusion.
American Airlines has not responded to a request for comment.
Despite seeing the funny side, the centenarian affirms that she would like the error to be solved, since it causes her some problems.
For example, the airport staff does not have transportation prepared for her inside the terminal, since she is waiting for a baby that could be carried in her arms.
On another occasion, Patricia and her daughter had to wait inside the plane for other passengers to leave, because the airport staff had not prepared a wheelchair for her.
He says that recognition of his real age would also be beneficial for Kris.
“I would like them to fix the computer, since my poor daughter had to carry all our luggage and clothes almost a mile from one door to another,” he said.
Patricia traveled alone until she was 97 years old, now she depends on her family’s help.
“I have poor eyesight, so I wouldn’t want to do it alone,” she explains.
But he insists that computer problems will not prevent him from flying and says he is looking forward to his next flight in the fall.
By then he will be 102 years old and perhaps the airline computers will have realized his real age.
Keep reading:
* American Airlines makes a strong decision after suffering problems to please its passengers
* Passenger sues American Airlines for suffering serious burns from coffee served during the flight
* The 10 US airlines with the most delays and cancellations
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