All:

I will be flying on USAIR for the first time between DFW and PHL in
November and have a few questions:

1. How is boarding done? I understand it is by Zones but what is
the sequence [i.e. AA boards by First Class and then Group Number,
with group 1 getting on first, followed by 2,3,4 etc.].

2. My flight from PHL to DFW is on a Thursday at 5:00pm. What
time should I be at PHL to get through security?

Cheers,
Parkesy

From USAirways web site
Preferred Zone 1
First Class / Envoy Class customers (when applicable)
US Airways Dividend Miles Chairman’s Preferred*
US Airways Dividend Miles Gold Preferred*
Star Alliance Gold
United Mileage Plus Premier Executive 1K
United Mileage Plus Premier Executive

Preferred Zone 2
US Airways Dividend Miles Silver Preferred*
US Airways Visa Signature Cardholders
United Mileage Plus Premier

Zone 3 and above
All other customers will board in Zones that range from 3 to 8 depending on the aircraft


Most times they call Zone 1 and 2 together

At the time of the afternoon I have seen security lines all the way back to the parking deck. I always plan on arrive 90 minutes before flight time because Philly is Philly and you never know what is going on. If the line at B looks long, try C, sometimes one is better than the others.

Some even go as far to come through D or even F and then walk or take the bus back.

Just my 2 cents

They do zone 1, zone 2, zone 3, etc., often combining zones (e.g., 1 and 2, or 1-3, or 1 and then 2 & 3).

PHL has horrible lines in the late afternoon. Check in at least an hour before departure or you will probably miss your flight.