I recently was checking into a ORD to NRT flight (JAL 009) C-class. The airline was overbooked and I noticed that the JAL personnel were transfering passengers to AA flight 153 to NRT. Sure enough I was asked to take the AA flight.

What I noticed is that JAL was transfering Americans and foreigners, all but Japanese passengers. Some persons on the AA flight asked me the same question. I would be very interested in seeing their "passenger manifest" because when I looked over the counter I noticed all but Japanese names were highlited.

Can anyone relate? Can anyone tell me if this is possible with national type carriers? Nevertheless the AA flight to NRT was excellent.