" if you’re going to be an airline agent, perhaps you should know SOMETHING about geography"
You would be surprised how many don't.
It is possible that the agent originally worked for America West, which bought USAirways, which then bought AA.
America West was a regional carrier, and their staff knew more about NASCAR that geography.

FYI,the PHL to EDI route will be serviced with Boeing 757-200.
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Am...E_Intl_new.php

>> who thought London and Glasgow were about an hour apart, and Glasgow and Edinburgh were several hours apart<<

:D

Not airline related but: I once called my bank to tell them I'd be using my ATM card in the UK, and it was blocked the first time I tried to use it -- on arrival at EDI. Tried 2 more times in Edinburgh and thought it might be a system down for maintenance thing, but when it didn't work in Callander I called. "Oh yes, it is in your file -- traveling to the UK, you did not mention Scotland".

It's not a magical solution, but regardless how I book my flights, I also get the respective apps for all airlines involved and register my booking with all airlines.
Sometimes this helps in fixing issues like getting a boarding pass for a connecting flight with the app which was not possible at the check-in desk - for whatever reason. Sometimes I got info on flight changes from just one app and not the other, sometimes from both apps but not by e-mail.
As said, not a solution for every problem but it costs nothing to install the apps and just a minute to enter the flights...

Thanks, Cowboy1968! I'll check into the app.

If we change to flying in and out of Edinburgh, we would land at 9 a.m., then try to catch an 11:15 train to Mallaig. Would two hours (if we land on time) be enough time to go through customs, get our bags, and get to Waverly? It seems a bit tight to me....

It is doable -- EDI is not a huge airport. But if your landing is at all delayed you'd be SOL.

Janis - that''s what I'm afraid of....

I suggested to my friend that we just get the train the next day and enjoy some time in Edinburgh. We've both been there before and it would be a lot better than running from airport to station!

There is always something great/new to see/do in Edinburgh. I'd relax, have a great dinner, get a good night's sleep and take a train the next morning.

The latest update is that we went ahead and switched to the non-stop Philadelphia to Edinburgh flight, landing at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 25th, and returning on Sunday, June 2nd. I've already booked a room at the Brooks Hotel in Edinburgh for the night, and then we'll head out Sunday morning for Skye by train. I REALLY didn't want to worry about a two-hour layover in Heathrow, as I spoke with the American Airlines agent who confirmed that we would have to retrieve our bags, re-check the bags, and go through Passport Control before boarding our flight for Glasgow. We were not charged any additional fees for switching to Edinburgh, although I had to file a claim to have the $40 extra per seat that we paid for the AA portion of the flight from LHR to PHL. I've also requested a refund of the $128 we paid to British Airways for the seats we selected on their flights. My sister and brother-in-law switched their flights, as well, although they are arriving two weeks before we are but we're all flying home on the same flight. My sister called BA about the seat selection charge and was told BA doesn't refund seat selection fees if the flight is changed. We'll see about that. If they don't, I'll file a complaint with my credit card company.

A couple of thoughts throughout this extremely "interesting" experience:

• My friend and I are arriving during a Bank Holiday weekend, so finding accommodations anywhere near to the Edinburgh city center was very difficult. Most places required a two or three night minimum, with one telling me "We do not take one night reservations for Friday nor one night Saturday, nor allow for Sunday departures."
• I had efficient service when I called AA today about changing the flight, but when my brother-in-law called them, they wouldn't change his since he booked through Expedia. When I helped my sister change their flight when this first happened, I was the one who spoke with AA and they had no problems changing the booking. I'm not sure why they gave them a hard time today, although I'm glad I booked directly with the airlines and didn't go through a third party.
• If everything goes as now planned, I'm happy to have a day in Edinburgh - I've been there twice and enjoyed it very much, but wasn't sure I was ever going to return. I'm also happy that I don't have to worry about what may have been a mad dash in Heathrow from one level to the other, even if it's all in the same terminal - my friend and I are in our 60's and she's got a bad knee that slows her down. It might have worked or it might not have, but now it doesn't matter.

AA refunded the additional fee, but after delving further into BA's Web site, I would be very surprised if we get a refund from them, since it wasn't their airline that canceled the flight.

My friend and I think $64 each is worth paying for not having a layover. ;)

And even in that the agent misspoke. You'd go through passport control at Heathrow and a pre-flight security check, but your bags would go through to your ultimate destination (EDI or GLA) and you'd just walk through the "nothing to declare" door on exit.

Wouldn't it be nice if the airline agents actually knew about things like that?

I work at a university and have student employees, and our training with both the students and full-time staff is that if you don't know the answer, you tell the person you'll find out and THEN respond.

I heard back from BA, and as I expected, they are declining to refund the payment we nade for the seats we reserved, using the reason that I didn't do it within 14 days of booking the flight. Since the flight isn't untIL May, there's a good chance someone else will pay for them as well, which seems like a sleazy practice on the part of BA.

I looked up their refund policy and think they are right although I don't agree. There are so many times things are like this aren't fair but are policy. It does add up but small beans to us that I doubt policies like this will ever change.

I truly hope you have a great trip. It's not nice to start one out like this as I said similar to my experience. I personally will just choose differently based on it for the future. I booked airfare to Scotland over the weekend and didn't bother with AA or BA even if was cheaper. Time is money and the airline I went with has treated me good when things have gone awry. They might not always but I prefer to give them my business.

Sassy - I was incorrect, as BA said I would have to ask for the refund within 14 days of the flight, not the booking.

I sent them another message were I quoted their motto and mission/vision statement and said it's wrong that they don't live up to their advertising. Probably won't make a bit of difference, but it made me feel better - LOL!

Oh I see. The policy I found stated no refunds unless they cancel and since you have it in writing I hope they honor it. It would make me feel better if they do as I really didn't like the sad smiley faces they texted me when my luggage showed up at my house in the middle of the night 3 days after my flight.