UPDATE: We are now in a system-wide ground delay until 4:00pm CT as we work to resolve this issue. We apologize for any inconvenience.
— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) April 16, 2013
American Airlines broke the news a while ago that it's in the midst of a massive, system-wide computer failure. Perhaps it was a glitch? Hiccups from the U.S. Airways merger? Hackers? Former CEO Tom Horton landing on the servers after having his golden parachute snipped?
It's too early to tell why, but the computer problems have caused the airline to ground all flights to be grounded until 4 p.m. (Update at 3:12 p.m.: Make that 7 p.m.) AA has promised refunds to impacted travelers once the computers are back up, but the delay has left thousands of travelers stranded at airports across the country with little to do but tweet impotently.
AA's announcement sparked surprisingly little outrage, at least on Twitter. Snark's probably a better description for it.
Computer issues are delaying American Airlines flights for about three hours. Ironically, this wait time is actually a service improvement.
— Patrick Varas (@pvaras) April 16, 2013
Classic AA... #mergerwontsaveyou "@americanair: We are now in a system-wide ground delay until 4:00pm CT as we work to resolve this issue."
— Matt Murphy (@MattMurphy247) April 16, 2013
Your total fail as a company is giving me lots of time at the airport to edit @appendixjournal articles. So thanks, I guess? @americanair
— Res Obscura (@ResObscura) April 16, 2013
This guy is clearly an AA-programmed tweetbot.
@americanair u guys are doing an amazing job! These things happen. I hope your loyal customers are patient & understanding.
— stephen proctor (@stephenproctor) April 16, 2013
And these people made terrible jokes:
(Please tell me American Airlines isn't running WordPress, ork ork)
— netmeg (@netmeg) April 16, 2013
Breaking News: Reports indicate @americanair's reservation system is not #Y2K compliant. #InTheYear2000
— David Twiss (@davidtwiss) April 16, 2013
American Airlines flights are grounded because of computer problems,bringing much relief to passengers who look remotely Arabic.
— John F Dillon (@JFD8) April 16, 2013
Too soon? Yes. Always.