I've been traveling to CLT weekly from LGA and noticed that 3 of my last 6 flights the agent decided not to pre-board. One time this was done because of short-turn around, but today there was no explanation.

When I asked the guy at the door, I was told "I just do what they tell me" and I asked the other agent who told me they should have done pre-boarding and didn't know why it wasn't done.

I've only seen this at LGA and not other airports, so I'm starting to think it's just something the agents have gotten used to doing.

The problem is that US gives me a seat toward the front of coach, which is great, but without pre-boarding, I'm the last group on the plane and bins are already full. If I know in advance there won't be pre-boarding, I'd book a seat in the rear of the plane to make sure I can board and get a place for my bags.

Has anyone else noticed a lazy attitude regarding pre-boarding @ LGA? Is this worth complaining about, and who should I contact about this? I'd the name/address of the LGA Station Manager, but that might too hard to find. Any suggestions?

I haven't seen them skip pre boarding at LGA. You see it at PIT, PHL, and CLT on Friday afternoons and other times when almost every flyer has preferred status. Maybe the agent used to work the old Metrojet flights? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Even if they don't preboard, I don't see why they would prevent any Preferred member from boarding with the first group of passengers who are called. Once or twice I've heard them explicitly say, "We will not be offering preboarding for our Preferred members," usually at hubs as iflybos noted. But unless that happens, I'd just get in line. If they boot you out--and don't give a good explanation--I'd say it's time for a letter to the Preferred Service Center.

Andy

Exactly what happened today. No announcement about not pre-boarding and announcement was made about boarding first-class. I got in line, but was turned-back at the door. I asked about boarding for perferred members and was told that they weren't doing it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif.

The last time, an annoucement was made about no pre-boarding, but no explanation was given.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gcapreol:
Exactly what happened today. No announcement about not pre-boarding and announcement was made about boarding first-class. I got in line, but was turned-back at the door. I asked about boarding for perferred members and was told that they weren't doing it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif.

The last time, an annoucement was made about no pre-boarding, but no explanation was given. </font>

So they boarded first class early but turned down "coach seated" preferreds from boarding at the same time?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gcapreol:
The last time, an annoucement was made about no pre-boarding, but no explanation was given. </font>

"Ladies and gentleman, in a momment we will begin boarding flight #765 to Charlotte. Because Preferred status is so easily obtained through comps and challenges, everyone on today's flight is Preferred, which is to say you are not so **** special anymore. So, having said that, all you self-important folks sitting in rows 25 and higher should now get your butts on the plane. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[Qoute]
So they boarded first class early but turned down "coach seated" preferreds from boarding at the same time?
[/QUOTE]

Yep, exactly.