America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - New First Class boarding process

From my monthly e-statement, which I received today:

Boarding Process Update

Beginning August 15, first class passengers will be invited to board during the pre-boarding process. Elite members are free to board with Group 1 or at any other point during the boarding process. Thank you for helping us get our planes boarded efficiently and on time.

So there you have it.

Do you suppose that this will be communicated to gate agents across the system? Or, more importantly, perhaps, that they'll pay attention and follow it?

So many of them do it differently. I don't know how many different boarding processes I've seen in the past year. And so many agents seem almost adamant about the fact theirs is the official one. You almost have to pay attention to what they're saying! ;)

Wow, this is really great news. One of the main things I really can't stand about HP is that half the plane gets to preboard but FC can't. Every time they call preboard, anyone over 50, under 16, anyone travelling with someone over 50 or under 16, and all the generic HP riffraff who don't know what boarding groups are (sorry folks but it's true) board, and the GAs never turn people back...

Now all they need is a FC security line at LAX and SMF and an airside lounge in LAS and I won't keep avoiding them like the plague as I do now (though I still regrettably maintain Silver).

Oh AZ,
You just hit the nail on the head !!

I have a few good things to say about America West; and a few bad things. If I were to summarize my bad impressions, the majority would fall under "personnel making up their own rules". The boarding process being the biggest offender.

On paper, the announcement you mentioned sounds like a great idea. But I (like you) seriously doubt HP's ability to transmit the change to the field and get them to follow it.

It's an issue with me cuz I'm hard hearding ... a "frequency response" problem. Put me in a quite room and I can hear a pin dropping on a pillow. But put me in a noisy situation with a lot of background noise (ie: airport terminal) and I can't hear a thing (actually ... decipher a thing ...think "adults in a Charlie Brown" TV cartoon) . Electronic sounds (gate lounge speakers) tend to make things even worse. I literally have to listen to hear what today's procedure is... and get upset when the boarding agent doesn't enforce "their" procedure.

I honestly believe that those in wheelchairs/crutches or with toddlers should be able to board before me, but I do think First Class should have a chance before general Elite ... particularly on the 737's w/limited First Class overhead space. I don't like when the Silver gets on-board before me and stores their luggage in the limited First Class overhead area in hopes their upgrade will come thru at the last minute. FYI ... my last several trips on HP have been on a PAID (well ... on the new "discount paid") First Class fare; yet I've still had to store my carry-ons in the coach sections (and fight the off-loading crowds on arrival). Not very "First Class" if you ask me.

And a bit off topic but still related ....
How many times have I boarded early in hopes to find overhead space (and I always carry the smaller of my bags at my feet ... I ain't a "bin hog") only to find the overheads in the 1st few rows full already ... with crew luggage :rolleyes: They aren't getting off the plane early, why does their luggage have to ride so close to the exit ???

The worst pre-board offender is the late nite (1-2 am ) LAS to PHX flite. Once the 1st "pre-board" passenger gets to go on-board, ALL overheads are full. Too many times I've seen them allow all deadheading crewmembers (I've counted 40+ ) to board before any passengers (a few times apparently due to an FAA regulation ... the "working" Flight Attendants are late getting in so we can't board passengers for safety reasons, but other "crew-members" can board anytime). That would bring up my 2nd biggest general complaint with HP, "employees come before passengers", but that would be another topic :p

Steve

This is how the announced boarding yesterday at PHX for my flight to SJC:

"at this time we'd like to invite those passengers traveling with children and those that need extra assistance. We'd also like to invite at this time our first class cabin, HP platinum, gold, silver elites,and those traveling in group 1".

i.e., about half the bloody plane :rolleyes:

Now all they need is a FC security line at LAX and SMF and an airside lounge in LAS and I won't keep avoiding them like the plague as I do now (though I still regrettably maintain Silver).

Wow, the official pre-board is great news. ^
The wish list platbrownguy has would be real icing on the cake...however, I can't see SMF getting a FC security line for any airline ... but given the choice, I would rather keep the FC line in LAS (at least that is a tremendous time saver).

Wow, the official pre-board is great news. ^
The wish list platbrownguy has would be real icing on the cake...however, I can't see SMF getting a FC security line for any airline ... but given the choice, I would rather keep the FC line in LAS (at least that is a tremendous time saver).

Unfortunately I only transit LAS on my returns (always tend to outbound through PHX in the morning, return through LAS in the late evening - I use HP for last minute day trips to California when necessary) so a FC line there does me no good.

If I have to go to SMF any time soon, I'm writing a letter to the County Airport Commission and sending a copy a day until I get a response... they need a generic priority line there, it's been hell every time I've been. LAX terminal 1 is only real bad in the morning, but when it's bad, it's REAL BAD... one time the line was actually .8 miles long! The news crews were out and everything... stretched down to T2 and back...

Unfortunately
If I have to go to SMF any time soon, I'm writing a letter to the County Airport Commission and sending a copy a day until I get a response... they need a generic priority line there, it's been hell every time I've been. LAX terminal 1 is only real bad in the morning, but when it's bad, it's REAL BAD... one time the line was actually .8 miles long! The news crews were out and everything... stretched down to T2 and back...

I hope they can do something at SMF - I travel there every week ( and it is BAD, but the longest I have waited is 15 minutes.) I will also send a letter to the airport commission.
I've seen the LAX line when it's bad (thanks to WN being in the same terminal), but luckily not when I've been flying HP.

I've gone through the elite line at LAX a couple of times. I think you have to ask for it, as it was all the way to the left when I used it. However, when I had the misfortune to fly through LAX last Sunday, there didn't appear to be any.

I've gone through the elite line at LAX a couple of times. I think you have to ask for it, as it was all the way to the left when I used it. However, when I had the misfortune to fly through LAX last Sunday, there didn't appear to be any.

You probably got to use the employee line... I did the time the line was down to T2, but I had to act frantic and tell them my flight was in 30 minutes... other times when I ask where the FC line is they say "you see the end of this line? That's it." I get the same response at SMF, only meaner and more redneck.

So what have people noticed when boarding? Are the GA's using the new boarding process?

I do PHX-LAS-DFW-LAS-PHX almost every week and this week, PHX said it but I don't think they enforced it as it was like that HP Commercial with all the Elites bumrushing the GA (I was in F). In LAS they announced it several times that the first part of pre-board was for those needing help and F, and after they would continue pre-boarding Elites and no one really rushed the plane which is odd in LAS cuz it's a 737 to DFW and thus limited bin space. In DFW on the return it was business as usual. Preboard just about everyone and no mention of preboarding those needing help and F. Just we'll preboard those needing help and kids and F and Elites. LAS was the just the same on the return as on the outbound but it's a 737 coming home so bin space is a priority again. Some guy got on in 1A and was pissed as he had to go back to Row 3 to put his bags up and he was like the 5th person on the plane..but all of us were in F and all had Rollerboards. I didn't feel too sorry for him however as I took the trip once and was in 1D but had to put my bags back at row 11.

Anyhow...let's hear what places are following the new boarding vs continuing on to do what they want.

Lance

Anyhow...let's hear what places are following the new boarding vs continuing on to do what they want.

Worked flawlessly at IAH yesterday. Now that they are using their 752's on this routing the gate area (17) gets really busy. The g/a made three separate announcments to please clear a path and not to worry as "we won't leave without you". First call: pax that need extra help, parents w/ children. Second call (and when this was made I swear 50 people all converged at once to the podium...quite amusing) was first class only third call: group 1, silver, gold, plat.

The look on the non upgraded elites was priceless as they were all noticeably annoyed they couldn't board with the 14 of us.

Kudos to HP.
Now, if they would only allow F pax to disembark first (like I've seen on many carriers) as when the pull up the mighty 7-5 to the middle door instead of the front it's quite an annoyance to wait so long to get off the plane if your in first. Anyone agree?

Well it sounds like some and hopefully most are using it. I'm hoping DFW will get on the bandwagon soon too. Personally if I'm in C or really in F I would love to board last if they could guarantee me bin space for my stuff. We had a guy on the flight from DFW-LAS that boarded prolly after 3/4 of the plan had boarded and we were out of bin space. The FA told him that they were out of bin space and the guy looked at him and said "But, I'm Platinum!". The FA was kinda like...Ugh what do you want me to do? throw a passenger off so you can put your bag in their seat? They ended up gate checking it and it was sitting there before he got off the plane. I'm a recent "frequent" traveller but does "top" elite status on any airline get you "bin space"?

In regards to getting off the plane first if you are in F. I just want off the plane relatively quickly. I don't need to be first but don't wanna be last either. There have been times I've sat in my seat and let others from in the back that were short on their connections run by so they could possibly make their connections. I just don't wanna be standing there forever while the plane empties. So if they use the mid door and i'm in First it doesn't bug me if we have to "merge" the two lines to get out. It would prolly bug me more if I was in C and they held us up for F to empty out. So in regards to that I'm fine. I just want bin space..that's really the only reason I want to on the plane ahead of everyone else...if they would guarantee me bin space, I'd happily board last :)

Lance

Wow, this is really great news.

Really? I see this as just another example of the downgrading of elites, who, if I read this correctly, ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO PRE-BOARD. (Group 1 is NOT preboard.) So first they sell off all the F seats so there are no upgrades, and that's after downgrading 50% of their routes to sardine cans with NO F (so who gets to preboard those, BTW?).

As for the GA's never turning anyone away -- that's only 99% true. As a Gold elite -- I've been turned away (didn't have my card out)!

Here's what I do. No matter who's in line, I go straight up to the front of the line and insist on going in first. If anyone deserves to board ahead of me, they'll have to prove it. I will not tolerate losing overhead space to non-elite s who refuse to acknowledge their place in the pecking order.

. . . Here's what I do. No matter who's in line, I go straight up to the front of the line and insist on going in first. If anyone deserves to board ahead of me, they'll have to prove it. . .

:rolleyes: Fortunately, most people have a little more class.

Here's what I do. No matter who's in line, I go straight up to the front of the line and insist on going in first. If anyone deserves to board ahead of me, they'll have to prove it. I will not tolerate losing overhead space to non-elite s who refuse to acknowledge their place in the pecking order.

No Offense but it's people like you that have caused this change. Jocking for positing to board first is not the game I think most want to play, if they did they would fly another LCC. BTW if you read the process Elites still board prior to non elites.

"Special needs" board first, so someone with a walker does not get pushed out of the way by some annoying Elite that wants first crack at bin space.

Followed by First class (so they are seated, out of the way and not blocking the boarding of the rest of the plane)

Followed by Elites (which is Group 1)

Followed by the rest of the groups.

Really? I see this as just another example of the downgrading of elites, who, if I read this correctly, ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED TO PRE-BOARD. (Group 1 is NOT preboard.) So first they sell off all the F seats so there are no upgrades, and that's after downgrading 50% of their routes to sardine cans with NO F (so who gets to preboard those, BTW?).

Yes, really.

Group 1 is PRIORITY boarding, which is what elites are (and should be) entitled to. AA, DL, CO, NW, UA all assign elites to the first non-F group/zone/whatever. You still get to board before the hoi polloi, though yes I do agree we should be able to disembark too. Then again I really don't care that much because I'm always on paid F if I have to fly HP.

As a DL Gold Medallion, I'm always in Group 2 (Group 1 is F), and on AA I'm Group 1 (They have the "First" group). I think the problem lies with the HP riffraff stuffing all their bags in the first available bin because they're used to there never being any bin space. If the FAs simply forced people to use the bins directly over their seat, I think there'd be a lot less trouble.

Now if thy would only print GROUP 1 on my (elite) and companion's ticket.

Wow, guess I'm glad Bidkat isn't on my flight. I certainly hope that was a joke.

The only problem I have with Group 1 stuff is in places like LAS where "We don't board by group number. We board by Row Number." Although I always have my elite card out if I'm not in F, I would really like it if they would have the Kiosks print ELITE or whatever on there. I haven't gone Non-F since the new procedures but before I was always group 1 if not in F and LAS always boards by row number so you have to show you are elite to get on before all the back row people. But it was my understanding and the way I've seen it announced is all assisted people, F and Elites are preboard as they always announce as continuing preboard.

Lance

"Special needs" board first, so someone with a walker does not get pushed out of the way by some annoying Elite that wants first crack at bin space.


Obviously, I'm not talking about people in wheelchairs and walkers or toddlers. I'm talking about the nudnicks holding tickets to 22E and F blocking the boarding area just after the GA has announced preboard. If the GA will not do her job and turn away those not entitled to board yet, I simply correct the situation.

As to the new procedure, yes I did read it correctly. And it still means a privilege downgrade for non-upgraded elites -- however minor you may argue.
I like to be first on the plane without waiting in a 140 degree tunnel, and feel my flight activity has earned that privilege.

Here's what I do. No matter who's in line, I go straight up to the front of the line and insist on going in first. If anyone deserves to board ahead of me, they'll have to prove it. I will not tolerate losing overhead space to non-elite s who refuse to acknowledge their place in the pecking order.

This would really bug me if I'm ever on a flight with you.... what kind of proof would you want from a person in a wheelchair, my American Association of People with Disabilities membership card?

I'm considering flying America West TPA-SFO in the next few months. If I'm going to have this much trouble getting on the plane (with aisle chair assistance, and connecting in LAS or PHX), maybe I should fly CO via IAH instead.

Trust me, you WANT me safely in my seat and out of the way BEFORE you board, or you might, because of the very nature of airplane seating, become intimiately acquainted with my elbow or the elbow of the contractor whose purpose is to get me through first on the way to my coach seat, if you happen to be on the aisle.