Unless of course (at AA) you are an unlected union rep flying with your family to Hawaii. Then you, and your family go ahead of everyone else.Just as a "FWI" reference,
AA goes by "first come, first served", and that INCLUDES retirees(they do NOT make a distinction between active/retiree)
We also fly free (in coach) domestically.
they "open up" the "list" EXACTLY 4 hours before departure.
You can "list" at the counter at the airport, at a CTO(if there are any left), or , best of all you can "list" at home, on your PC
NH/BB's