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Air Canada introduces zoned boarding

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Old Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
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Air Canada introduces zoned boarding

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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:04 pm
  #3001  
 
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Originally Posted by Stranger
What I saw was a real stampede. I expect people occasionally get killed.

But yes, I know the window is narrow. People in second class trample on anyone because they want a seat. Anyway, it's just walking to the train and boarding; boarding a train is quite fast since there are many doors. Issue is not time, it's the stampede to get a seat. (But yes, some similarity with trying to get a spot for your oversize luggage in Y.)



Surely with enough agents checking people in, lines would get shorter. Should mainly be an economic issue. Not so much an issue of how you board. Big airplane, just a couple of agents, got to take forever.
1. Second class seat are assigned. you must be talking about standing tickets.
2. Again going back to the basic op logs... boarding can be quicker if you adjust the queues..not just add agents
3. As for being trampled.I(and others who take it on a weekly basis) have not experienced it on high speed rail. Unless during the Chinese new year where near 2.9 billion rides are taken.

Thats right.. 2.9 billion

Going back to the topic. IMO, AC should streamline zones to improve flow rate And as far as five zones makes it faster.. I really don't think it's true..

Last edited by Jumper Jack; Sep 30, 2016 at 7:28 pm
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:09 pm
  #3002  
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Well.. blacklist sites as Vox certainly limits ones worldview.
That's not what I blacklist. I blacklist s.ytimg.com. Probably to get rid of ads.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:11 pm
  #3003  
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Cow I think the problem with your thesis is "I".. if you look at the overall surplus everyone gained as a result of this
And as Tango Jack, I understand why you think that.

But I spend a lot of money for the right to board whenever I want and get bin space if I want it.

They sell priority boarding. J or SE both cost money.

If I'm going to be relegated to random boarding, can I get a discount?
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:17 pm
  #3004  
 
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
And as Tango Jack, I understand why you think that.

But I spend a lot of money for the right to board whenever I want and get bin space if I want it.

They sell priority boarding. J or SE both cost money.

If I'm going to be relegated to random boarding, can I get a discount?
Cow here's the problem
Yes you do spend a lot of money on AC, you should receive additonal benefits- no doubt there

But..

1.You still have your priority, but in more efficient world, it would be 1,2 and 2.5 mashed together and boarding at the same time as others. But your queue is short therefor you would still complete boarding process faster.
2. If you are in J on widebodies like 777 you have your own boarding bridges, another split of process making it faster for you.
3. If you are in J on something like 320 or E90, your seat is at the forward of cabin, additionally reduce your time to seats again.
4. Not having enough space overhead for your is unacceptable, but it can be solved without making boarding experience suck for most people.

If I draw out an process map, you would gain a significant edge even with the streamlined system anyways.


This is not pareto's efficiency at play here.

Last edited by Jumper Jack; Sep 30, 2016 at 7:23 pm
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:18 pm
  #3005  
 
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
But you're missing the whole point of priority boarding.

It's a perk that is paid for.

This past weekend I flew with just a laptop bag.

On flight #1, I was last on the plane.
On flight #2, I boarded after final call and when it appeared like boarding was done, though a few people came on after me.
On flight #3, I didn't have a boarding pass, so I went up in the zone 1 line (1 and 2 were done, but I'm not sure what zone they were on), got my new BP, and boarded.

When I have an average-sized roller, I've paid for the ability to get on and grab bin space, and I damn well want to do it.
+1. TangoJack, did you watch 1.47min onwards?
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:21 pm
  #3006  
 
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Originally Posted by Stranger
The point of the five zones was to make it faster.
I believe the point was only to improve the boarding experience for SEs and business class passengers. Improving the overall efficiency of boarding was not a consideration.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:22 pm
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Originally Posted by CanRulez
+1. TangoJack, did you watch 1.47min onwards?
Yes but that is still unrelated to five boarding zones. My focus is about streamlining it, not eliminating it.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:30 pm
  #3008  
 
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Yes but that is still unrelated to five boarding zones. My focus is about streamlining it, not eliminating it.
Originally Posted by antirealist
I believe the point was only to improve the boarding experience for SEs and business class passengers. Improving the overall efficiency of boarding was not a consideration.
Bingo. Zone 1 boarding costs a cr*pload now. 20K+ and/or a J ticket. AC's goal here is to incentivize FF/passengers to attain SE status, not to eradicate us.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:33 pm
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Originally Posted by CanRulez
Bingo. Zone 1 boarding costs a cr*pload now. 20K+ and/or a J ticket. AC's goal here is to incentivize FF/passengers to attain SE status, not to eradicate us.
sigh
OMG NO NO NO

Why is it only Segacs gets it. That supposedly huge incentive comes at an opportunity cost that may be far greater than the benefits you gained.

Also you saying because of Zone 1 you spending would be bigger, really? Yet most of the supposedly benefits that zone 1 offers can still remain.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:38 pm
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Why is it only Segacs gets it.
I think you and I are the only two socialists 'round these parts.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:38 pm
  #3011  
 
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
sigh
OMG NO NO NO

Why is it only Segacs gets it.
I'm sure you can capture the hearts of other "no status" flyers, but winning the vote from an SE will be much, much tougher.

No offence Segacs.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:44 pm
  #3012  
 
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Why is it only Segacs gets it. That supposedly huge incentive comes at an opportunity cost that may be far greater than the benefits you gained.
In all seriousness, I suspect it's because we're mis-construing the benefits. We're viewing them in strictly functional terms -- what you get (i.e. priority boarding) and the advantages that affords.

What the airlines clearly understand, however, is that the true benefits of status aren't in the "what you get", but in the "what everyone else doesn't get".

In other words, SEs only feel truly special and valued when everyone else suffers. Then they can maximize smugness and that feeling of superiority over everyone else.

And hey, I'm not discounting the value of the psychological benefits of schadenfreude. Status marketing is built on the concept.

Just look at the number of people willing to go on status mileage runs and spend big money in order to earn the next tier of benefits, when there's clearly no rational or monetary justification for it. We humans aren't rational. Smart businesses understand and embrace (exploit?) that.
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:47 pm
  #3013  
 
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Originally Posted by segacs
In all seriousness, I suspect it's because we're mis-construing the benefits. We're viewing them in strictly functional terms -- what you get (i.e. priority boarding) and the advantages that affords.

What the airlines clearly understand, however, is that the true benefits of status aren't in the "what you get", but in the "what everyone else doesn't get".

In other words, SEs only feel truly special and valued when everyone else suffers. Then they can maximize smugness and that feeling of superiority over everyone else.

And hey, I'm not discounting the value of the psychological benefits of schadenfreude. Status marketing is built on the concept.

Just look at the number of people willing to go on status mileage runs and spend big money in order to earn the next tier of benefits, when there's clearly no rational or monetary justification for it. We humans aren't rational. Smart businesses understand and embrace (exploit?) that.
Yes, I agree with this 100%.

Edit: Having reread segac's comments, I really should be saying, "I agree with most of what you say here."


Last edited by CanRulez; Sep 30, 2016 at 7:58 pm
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 7:49 pm
  #3014  
 
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Originally Posted by segacs
I think you and I are the only two socialists 'round these parts.
We should just stop raising issues but to conform with the SEs
Repeat after me :"Five zone boarding is faster" "Five zone boarding is efficient" "Ignore opportunity cost"

But to solely focus on zone issue. I would Imagine SEs would be in more agreement if it shuffles the rest of zones and leave zone 1 intact-- which would still be somewhat faster than current system, but less optimal.

Originally Posted by CanRulez
Yes, I agree with this 100%.
:P So you admit then...

Last edited by Jumper Jack; Sep 30, 2016 at 7:54 pm
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Old Sep 30, 2016, 8:00 pm
  #3015  
 
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Asch Conformity Experiment - YouTube
We should just stop raising issues but to conform with the SEs
Repeat after me :"Five zone boarding is faster" "Five zone boarding is efficient" "Ignore opportunity cost"
Did you see the other participants in that "experiment?" They looked like bozos who only cared about getting the $5 they were promised after completing the experiment.

Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
But to solely focus on zone issue. I would Imagine SEs would be in more agreement if it shuffles the rest of zones and leave zone 1 intact-- which would still be somewhat faster than current system, but less optimal.


:P So you admit then...

I edited my comment
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