US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Surprised at the size of Zone 1 boarding

Today is my second trip on US this year (as I've said, it's EXP first this year.) and I'm SHOCKED at the number of people in zone 1 boarding as well as at the absolute CRUSH of people at the gate. Ex-PHL, AA boarding is usually quite orderly and the F/EXP/PLT group (about the same as US' Zone 1 from what I gather) is much smaller, even on the Monday AM flights.

My flight today is a PHL-RDU afternoon flight (the first mainline of the day) and Zone 1 must have been 25 people deep. How many "pseudo-elites" did the summer promo's generate? Seems like everyone was a US2 from what I could see.

Also, as a side note, how is it that WN can keep adding 73's PHL-RDU and filling them while US shrinks to nearly all RJs?

The zone boarding will be redone to HP's style. I dont know what the diference is but I know there are differences.

Today is my second trip on US this year (as I've said, it's EXP first this year.) and I'm SHOCKED at the number of people in zone 1 boarding as well as at the absolute CRUSH of people at the gate. Ex-PHL, AA boarding is usually quite orderly and the F/EXP/PLT group (about the same as US' Zone 1 from what I gather) is much smaller, even on the Monday AM flights.

My flight today is a PHL-RDU afternoon flight (the first mainline of the day) and Zone 1 must have been 25 people deep. How many "pseudo-elites" did the summer promo's generate? Seems like everyone was a US2 from what I could see.

Also, as a side note, how is it that WN can keep adding 73's PHL-RDU and filling them while US shrinks to nearly all RJs?

Unfortunately, this is nothing new. US has about the worst boarding system going among the legacy carriers. There are too many people included in Zone 1 plus US absolutely does not enforce Zone boarding at most all US-stations, therefore, many of the 25 people-deep line may not have been Zone 1 at all. US needs to return to having a separate ticketed First Class only pre-board, followed by Zone 1 (CP, PP, GP, *Gold), then Zone 2 (SP, *Silver) and so on. One can dream. :rolleyes:

For starters, HP boards First class first then Preferred members.

I had a flight PHL-DEN this morning and no less than 40 people boarded in Zone 1. Since I'm not a pushy person by nature, I patiently waited my turn and ended up being the second to the last person in F, so I had to do some careful maneuvering to get my bag in the overhead. It was seriously one of the most disorganized boaring processes that I've ever seen.

I've noticed a lot of "boarding Zones 1 and 2" lately. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Visa Signature from B of A and the new World MasterCard get Zone 2 boarding as well? I can't help but think that that's made a big difference in crowding.

If I'm not mistaken, HP boards First, Top Tiers and then everyone else by zones which are divided up by windows first then middles then aisles working it's way from back to front?

Supposedly the boarding and "group number" (HP's term) system on US East will be changed to conform with America West's current practice.

What's the rule if your companion is Zone 2 and you are Zone 1? Can he/she board w/ you? The crush and the fight for overhead space has me pulling her along w/ Zone 1 but I sometimes get dirty looks from the GA.

I looked around and pretty much everyone *HAD* a legitimate zone 1 - the GAs were pretty rigid about zones and carry-ons. Even still, it was more like controlled chaos.

One other thing - there were definitely preferreds in the back and the GAs just filled the 2 misconnected(?) F seats with off duty FAs in uniform. Lazy. Pure and simple.

I have to say HP's style of Group 1 stinks... it will soon be *GOLD, *SILVER and all DM/FF elite/prefered members. I think having Group 2 as Silver would be a plus.. but HP knows best.

I do like that F class goes first... (along with those needed extra time)

For starters, HP boards First class first then Preferred members.

AMEN!

So does UA. It makes a huge difference.

Of course, any system is only as effective as its enforcement.

AMEN!

So does UA. It makes a huge difference.

Of course, any system is only as effective as its enforcement.

Doesn't matter - the observation I had was that about 1/3rd of the plane was *G or higher. If that's true on a Monday afternoon flight, it is likely worse on Monday AM and Thursday PM. Even the UA system would buckle. You can't effectively board 1/3rd of the plane at a time. An insanely high number of manufactured preferreds takes an already bad problem (US boarding) and makes it worse.

What's the rule if your companion is Zone 2 and you are Zone 1? Can he/she board w/ you? The crush and the fight for overhead space has me pulling her along w/ Zone 1 but I sometimes get dirty looks from the GA.
If she is on the same PNR as you, you can expect to take her along with you and tell the GA to shove that dirty look up a place where the "sun don't shine". If you are ticketed seperately, take herr with you anyway and ignore the dirty look. :D

Doesn't matter - the observation I had was that about 1/3rd of the plane was *G or higher. If that's true on a Monday afternoon flight, it is likely worse on Monday AM and Thursday PM. Even the UA system would buckle. You can't effectively board 1/3rd of the plane at a time. An insanely high number of manufactured preferreds takes an already bad problem (US boarding) and makes it worse.
This is what happens when airlines start selling or giving away status or offering "free" status miles in return for credit card offers, etc. Some of us EARNED OUR STATUS by flying!!! Isn't that the way it is supposed to be?

AMEN!

So does UA. It makes a huge difference.

Of course, any system is only as effective as its enforcement.

Well said. UA's system is excellent: A traditional first class pre-board (that is enforced) and then a (generally) orderly Zone 1, Zone 2 and so on boarding process.

If US is adopting the HP pre-board for "F" then kudos to US. I agree 100% with EnvoyBoy, however, that the system will only be effective if the policy is enforced.

Doesn't matter - the observation I had was that about 1/3rd of the plane was *G or higher. If that's true on a Monday afternoon flight, it is likely worse on Monday AM and Thursday PM.
Monday mornings are truly awful. On yesterday's CLT-LGA, the GAs were talking about how there were 18 CPs on the flite (with at least six in the back). I counted about 25 to 30 boarding in Zone 1.

Well said. UA's system is excellent: A traditional first class pre-board (that is enforced) and then a (generally) orderly Zone 1, Zone 2 and so on boarding process.

If US is adopting the HP pre-board for "F" then kudos to US. I agree 100% with EnvoyBoy, however, that the system will only be effective if the policy is enforced.


I still fear the credit card holders.. they are going to flock to the Zone 1/Group 1 and we are going to be screwed... I think dividing Zone 1 to Preferreds and *GOLD and then Zone 2 to *Silver and credit card holders ;)

I still fear the credit card holders.. they are going to flock to the Zone 1/Group 1 and we are going to be screwed... I think dividing Zone 1 to Preferreds and *GOLD and then Zone 2 to *Silver and credit card holders ;)

zone 2 is already for BOA cc holders and silvers. the problem is how US likes to board zone 1 and 2 at the same time.l

How does the reservation/ticketing system recognize you as a BoA/Juniper card holder? Is your DM account flagged as a cardholder and therefore your boarding pass gets a Zone 2 on it? Or does your boarding pass have it's regular zone on it and you just show your credit card to the agent collecting the tickets?

How does the reservation/ticketing system recognize you as a BoA/Juniper card holder?
I believe it's because the ticket must be purchased with the card and that info is then automatically included when boarding pass is printed.

I have been on AWA flights that have been so full of Gold/Silver/Plat's that they have just said they will board by row numbers. I have also boarded with about 3/4th's the plane being in Zone 1, it is great!

Today is my second trip on US this year (as I've said, it's EXP first this year.) and I'm SHOCKED at the number of people in zone 1 boarding as well as at the absolute CRUSH of people at the gate. Ex-PHL, AA boarding is usually quite orderly and the F/EXP/PLT group (about the same as US' Zone 1 from what I gather) is much smaller, even on the Monday AM flights.

My flight today is a PHL-RDU afternoon flight (the first mainline of the day) and Zone 1 must have been 25 people deep. How many "pseudo-elites" did the summer promo's generate? Seems like everyone was a US2 from what I could see.

Also, as a side note, how is it that WN can keep adding 73's PHL-RDU and filling them while US shrinks to nearly all RJs?


Hey McFlyPHL! Seems that you were unable to find info, about last years numerous promotions to earn CP, GP, and SP status. Thats quite shocking given today's modern technology! SHOCKING! But thats ok, Ill give youa couple of sites:

www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.dogpile.com, www.msn.com

You can also use the search feature on usairways.com, americawest.com and flyertalk.com!

Hey McFlyPHL! Seems that you were unable to find info, about last years numerous promotions to earn CP, GP, and SP status. Thats quite shocking given today's modern technology! SHOCKING! But thats ok, Ill give youa couple of sites:


You may want to read my posts. The point of the discussion is how promos like 6689 and their ilk have crowded the "preferred" zones, whereas the same thing doesn't happen on other airlines. It actually makes pretty decent sense, in light of this, that they'd want to thin the ranks a little bit.

but thanks for the tip. really. :rolleyes:

So maybe I'm missing something...which I've been known to do! But I know computers are pretty damn smart along with most people that operate them...so the change can't be that hard to fix. But then I have to remember we're dealing with an airline here that has a tradition of doing everything over-budget, providing 12 layers of red-tape, and coming in under expectations. But what would be the harm in a system such as this:

Special Assistance Pre-Boarding
Zone 1: Any CP / GP
Zone 2: Any SP / Paid First Class
Zone 3: Credit Card Holders, Gimme crap, and give-aways
Zones 4 - 9: The Coach Boarding Process

You may want to read my posts. The point of the discussion is how promos like 6689 and their ilk have crowded the "preferred" zones, whereas the same thing doesn't happen on other airlines. It actually makes pretty decent sense, in light of this, that they'd want to thin the ranks a little bit.

but thanks for the tip. really. :rolleyes:

Well, thats an improvement, you now can streamline your efficiency, by utilizing the search engines. Good Job by learning to use search engines...


... SHOCKING :rolleyes:

But what would be the harm in a system such as this:

Special Assistance Pre-Boarding
Zone 1: Any CP / GP
Zone 2: Any SP / Paid First Class
Zone 3: Credit Card Holders, Gimme crap, and give-aways
Zones 4 - 9: The Coach Boarding Process
Wonderful!
Only thing I would change is to make Zone 1 CP and Paid First Class and Zone 2 GP and SP.
I could live with it either way though. :D

Wonderful!
Only thing I would change is to make Zone 1 CP and Paid First Class and Zone 2 GP and SP.
I could live with it either way though. :D

I think you'd have a tough time explaining to paid F why they board second.... and they would have a legitimate beef. Definitely agree with your changes.

I think you'd have a tough time explaining to paid F why they board second.... and they would have a legitimate beef. Definitely agree with your changes.

THANK you!

If anything, paid FC should go the way of UA: boarding before elites (unless they've UG into FC, by whatever means get them there).

I fly usually on the weekends (usually a nearly empty FC section on Saturday mornings) and have been stunned by the amount of Zone 1 passengers on flights during the week. I think some of it might be just that business travelers who fly a lot are most of the clientele then.

UA FC pre-boarding is great but try Ted, which is all coach- even Zone 1s are in E- rather than E+.

Wonderful!
Only thing I would change is to make Zone 1 CP and Paid First Class and Zone 2 GP and SP.
I could live with it either way though. :D

That would not work, because Zone 1 is ALL STAR GOLD, and ALL STAR GOLD will include CP,PP, and GP. Zone 2 will be SP and DM Mastercard, and DM Visa

United does Global Services and First class and then zone 1. The lines are also very long at United. I was on a 777 and there was over a 100 people in zone 1.

The entire idea of CPs and Paid F only in zone one is to reduce the number of people in that zone - Much like UA does with F and UGS. Perhaps F, US1 and the new Plat would make sense as gold seems to be the largest group. It would stink for Gold's who flew their miles, but I guess that's the price the airline has to pay for manufacturing so many.

Wirelessly posted (Samsung-SPHA900 AU-MIC-A900/2.0 MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

The entire idea of CPs and Paid F only in zone one is to reduce the number of people in that zone - Much like UA does with F and UGS. Perhaps F, US1 and the new Plat would make sense as gold seems to be the largest group. It would stink for Gold's who flew their miles, but I guess that's the price the airline has to pay for manufacturing so many.

i as a gp who flew 60k pref miles support fast tracks to a certain extent after all a fast track got us hooked to us airways big time!

United does Global Services and First class and then zone 1. The lines are also very long at United. I was on a 777 and there was over a 100 people in zone 1.

Yes. If you are FC on UA, your boarding pass does not have a zone number on it (I am guessing the same is true if you're UGS). As such, UA always does a FC and UGS only pre-board and they enforce it --- if you don't have an FC or UGS boarding pass you get told to wait your turn and asked to step aside -- I've seen it happen on UA many times. Then UA begins with Zone 1 (which can be large); Zone 2, etc. I'm not saying the UA system is perfect, but it is better than US. US just needs to bring back an F pre-board where you must be holding an F boarding pass to board and then go by zone. Alternatively, the making Zone 1 CP and F ONLY (and enforcing that), as suggested by another poster, sounds o.k. too.

The need for a re-vamped boarding system is doubly true on TA flights. As it currently stands there's no Envoy Class pre-board --- it's the same Zone 1 and 2 all at once thing. This seems like a pretty easy (a/k/a it's not going to cost much money, if any) problem to fix.

Yes. If you are FC on UA, your boarding pass does not have a zone number on it (I am guessing the same is true if you're UGS). As such, UA always does a FC and UGS only pre-board and they enforce it --- if you don't have an FC or UGS boarding pass you get told to wait your turn and asked to step aside -- I've seen it happen on UA many times. Then UA begins with Zone 1 (which can be large); Zone 2, etc. I'm not saying the UA system is perfect, but it is better than US. US just needs to bring back an F pre-board where you must be holding an F boarding pass to board and then go by zone. Alternatively, the making Zone 1 CP and F ONLY (and enforcing that), as suggested by another poster, sounds o.k. too.

The need for a re-vamped boarding system is doubly true on TA flights. As it currently stands there's no Envoy Class pre-board --- it's the same Zone 1 and 2 all at once thing. This seems like a pretty easy (a/k/a it's not going to cost much money, if any) problem to fix.


I believe that will happen when they adopt the HP boarding... F will be first.. then Zone 1..etc....

i as a gp who flew 60k pref miles support fast tracks to a certain extent after all a fast track got us hooked to us airways big time!

Then in the suggestion being discussed, you would board in zone 2. Just as you would on UA. (though UA calls it zone 1, it actually boards second.)

I am so tired of "zone one, zone 2" immediately. If i would fly once a year but own a US credit card I would be one of th 90% of the plane in 2. Keep it F, then 1, THEN 2 I feel! You should board at ABE, it is a little place, but US has 319 service once daily out of there. I was in line, f, and some guy in front of me had ZONE 4! The ga left him past and smiled!

That would not work, because Zone 1 is ALL STAR GOLD, and ALL STAR GOLD will include CP,PP, and GP. Zone 2 will be SP and DM Mastercard, and DM Visa
Dude,
This is a hypothetical discussion...
Anything would work. ;)

Yes. If you are FC on UA, your boarding pass does not have a zone number on it (I am guessing the same is true if you're UGS). As such, UA always does a FC and UGS only pre-board and they enforce it --- if you don't have an FC or UGS boarding pass you get told to wait your turn and asked to step aside -- I've seen it happen on UA many times. Then UA begins with Zone 1 (which can be large); Zone 2, etc. I'm not saying the UA system is perfect, but it is better than US. US just needs to bring back an F pre-board where you must be holding an F boarding pass to board and then go by zone. Alternatively, the making Zone 1 CP and F ONLY (and enforcing that), as suggested by another poster, sounds o.k. too.

The need for a re-vamped boarding system is doubly true on TA flights. As it currently stands there's no Envoy Class pre-board --- it's the same Zone 1 and 2 all at once thing. This seems like a pretty easy (a/k/a it's not going to cost much money, if any) problem to fix.

Yes! Yes! Yes!
(times infininity!)

Yes! Yes! Yes!
(times infininity!)

Sounds an awful lot like that diner scene in that Harry and Sally movie.... :D

Wirelessly posted (Samsung-SPHA900 AU-MIC-A900/2.0 MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)


i as a gp who flew 60k pref miles support fast tracks to a certain extent after all a fast track got us hooked to us airways big time!

Then in the suggestion being discussed, you would board in zone 2. Just as you would on UA. (though UA calls it zone 1, it actually boards second.)

no gp deserves z1 because its *G

How many "pseudo-elites" did the summer promo's generate? Seems like everyone was a US2 from what I could see.


I think the problem is two-fold. First is the problem of status matching that all the airline and hotel chains seem to do nowadays. It seems that just about everyone is elite. I remember taking a flight on America West from San Francisco to Phoenix and - I'm not kidding - 80% of the people on the plane had some sort of elite status. Unless you're Chairman the status is practically worthless, other than the bonus miles you get.

The second problem is limited bin space. I've noticed this more on the older planes. Even in first class they fill up quickly. So you get the crowding in the boarding area as a result.

no gp deserves z1 because its *G

Excellent reasoned argument against what seems to be the consensus. :rolleyes:

Wirelessly posted (Samsung-SPHA900 AU-MIC-A900/2.0 MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)



no gp deserves z1 because its *G

If the goal is to have smaller boarding groups than why does GP deserve zone 1. There are now 2 tiers above GP. However the biggest problem is not who is in each zone, the problem is GA's calling zone 1 and 2 at the same time and not enforcing it. Ive seen many people in zone 3 or 4 boarding with zone 1 and 2.

The second problem is limited bin space. I've noticed this more on the older planes. Even in first class they fill up quickly. So you get the crowding in the boarding area as a result.

I'm not so sure about worthless - this past week I bothered to look at the manifests and noticed that on 3/4 flights I was the only US1. There were several US2/3's and even a few US4s. Probably at peak times on peak days you are absolutely correct, though.

Perhaps if airlines fixed baggage issues and delvery times people would carry on less. Depending on the number of elites, they could also sell >1 carry on (inclusive of a personal item) and make it a free perk to elites. Alternately, they could adopt an LH intra-Europe policy that limits carry ons by weight.

Excellent reasoned argument against what seems to be the consensus. :rolleyes:


As you could have seen, this was posted from my cell! I cant do to much. Lete me repeat, what I was trying to say


No, I belive GP's DO deserve Z1 because they are STAR Gold!

There! You happy! :rolleyes:

And of course our favorite McFlyPHL tagline. SHOCKING!

As you could have seen, this was posted from my cell! I cant do to much. Lete me repeat, what I was trying to say


No, I belive GP's DO deserve Z1 because they are STAR Gold!

There! You happy! :rolleyes:

And of course our favorite McFlyPHL tagline. SHOCKING!

Is there some contractual reason why US must give non-DM *G fliers Zone 1 boarding privileges? US GP's are *G when they go elsewhere, it has nothing to do with their status on US. If I am wrong please enlighten me. :)

Is there some contractual reason why US must give non-DM *G fliers Zone 1 boarding privileges? US GP's are *G when they go elsewhere, it has nothing to do with their status on US. If I am wrong please enlighten me. :)


Im not exactly understanding, what youre trying to ask, but I think the anwser to your questions is that it has to go both ways.For example: Im a US *G as in GP on US Airways, and Im flying NZ, I expect, and will checkin at the Gold Counter or the Biz one. I will be boarding with NZ Golds, and Biz pax. The same goes expected for NZ Airpoints members. When theyre flying US even in coach, they expect to checkin in at the GOLD/PREFFERED/ENVOY/FIRST/ELITE counter, they will get priority tags, and they are allowed to board in ZONE1. It has to be recipricoral.

Is there some contractual reason why US must give non-DM *G fliers Zone 1 boarding privileges? US GP's are *G when they go elsewhere, it has nothing to do with their status on US. If I am wrong please enlighten me. :)

It's a gray area. Airlines generally take care of their own first, then alliance partners. There's nothing that says US can't do an F/CP Zone 1, then have *G's in Zone 2. What they can't do is board, say top-tier LH passengers who are using *G benefits with CPs ahead of any level of their own that is *G.

A quick trip to the *A website for some research shows that the Priority Boarding benefit is "where available". That would indicate that it's left up to the airline's discretion how to handle it.

It's a gray area. Airlines generally take care of their own first, then alliance partners. There's nothing that says US can't do an F/CP Zone 1, then have *G's in Zone 2. What they can't do is board, say top-tier LH passengers who are using *G benefits with CPs ahead of any level of their own that is *G.

A quick trip to the *A website for some research shows that the Priority Boarding benefit is "where available". That would indicate that it's left up to the airline's discretion how to handle it.


You kind of got that all wrong McFlyPHL, when theyre saying where available does not at all mean, that airlines pick how to do it, its where its physically not available, they cannot board by zones, it goes by rows. Small airports, ones where there is busing involved. Buy its cool that you got the whole google thing down! It helped you find the star alliance! Cheers!

And of course our favorite McFlyPHL tagline. SHOCKING!

Just because you're *G doesn't mean you get to be first on the plane. "Priority" boarding doesn't mean nobody else goes ahead. It means you get "priority" over the usual non-status "riff-raff" :p

HP boards like so:

People who need time getting down the jetway
First Class (Separate preboard, always)
All elites, including *G
Everyone else by row and window/middle/aisle.

The only thing I think should be changed is:
First Class with "Our Chairman's Preferred passengers are invited to board at any time," like UA's 1K and GS.
PP/GP/*G
SP/Credit cards
Everyone else by row and window/middle/aisle.

The same goes expected for NZ Airpoints members. When theyre flying US even in coach, they expect to checkin in at the GOLD/PREFFERED/ENVOY/FIRST/ELITE counter, they will get priority tags, and they are allowed to board in ZONE1. It has to be recipricoral.

That's my point. Who says *G (from another program) get to be Zone 1? Can't US say US1 are Zone 1 and *G are Zone 2? *G status only matters if you are from another program on a US flight. If you have US status then that's what applies on a US flight. Using your US status to say you are *G to get benefits on US makes no sense or do I have my head rectally inserted?

(I'm not addressing at all US *G on *A partners flights.)

That's my point. Who says *G (from another program) get to be Zone 1? Can't US say US1 are Zone 1 and *G are Zone 2? *G status only matters if you are from another program on a US flight. If you have US status then that's what applies on a US flight. Using your US status to say you are *G to get benefits on US makes no sense or do I have my head rectally inserted?

(I'm not addressing at all US *G on *A partners flights.)


So, then *S is what, Zone 3 now! Lets not push it too far back. All the zones are ok, but they have to seperate the 1 and 2! And they should have a couple of minutes break btwn 1 and 2 and between 2 and the remaining. Theyre doing it 1 on top of another!

And they should have a couple of minutes break btwn 1 and 2 and between 2 and the remaining. Theyre doing it 1 on top of another!

True that.

Maybe they should try just enforcing the zone 4's who board under zone 2??? It is such a pain when everyone huddles around a gate, I have zone one and some goof in front of me in zone 4 gets through!

Maybe they should try just enforcing the zone 4's who board under zone 2??? It is such a pain when everyone huddles around a gate, I have zone one and some goof in front of me in zone 4 gets through!


I just hate the crowding. The GA's should tell everyone to step back, sit their a@@es down, and wait until they here their zone called. This worst is in CLT to flights like Mexico City. We were boarding next door to a flight to MEX. Jeez, probably just 2 or 3 American folks, and the rest were Mexicans who barely spoke english total chaos!

Just because you're *G doesn't mean you get to be first on the plane. "Priority" boarding doesn't mean nobody else goes ahead. It means you get "priority" over the usual non-status "riff-raff" :p

HP boards like so:

People who need time getting down the jetway
First Class (Separate preboard, always)
All elites, including *G
Everyone else by row and window/middle/aisle.

The only thing I think should be changed is:
First Class with "Our Chairman's Preferred passengers are invited to board at any time," like UA's 1K and GS.
PP/GP/*G
SP/Credit cards
Everyone else by row and window/middle/aisle.

Actually, UA boards together FC and UGS only, not the 1Ks. It's part of what makes their FC product superior to many others--not crush on the FC pax as they try to get settled and hang up their coats.

Including the 1Ks would defeat the purpose, as there are so many, especially on certain flights, at certain times, and from hub cities. Just look over at the UA board: there's a number of threads on the number of elites on certain flights.

You kind of got that all wrong McFlyPHL, when theyre saying where available does not at all mean, that airlines pick how to do it, its where its physically not available, they cannot board by zones, it goes by rows. Small airports, ones where there is busing involved. Buy its cool that you got the whole google thing down! It helped you find the star alliance! Cheers!


Actually, the bus airports (like FRA, for example) are a part of that. However, the airline can choose how to board, even by busses. It's intentionally vague language (hence the use of the term "gray area"). As you get experience, you'll note that this is sometimes done on purpose.

We get that you (a Gold) don't want anyone boarding in a group in front of you. That's nice. I might not like it either. But I wouldn't have liked it when I was SP, either. Fact of the matter is that the system is broken and the big swell seems to be in the GP ranks. It further devlaues the F and CP product to have the crush including GPs, which you don't seem to get. The value of CPs can be argued, but F is F - paid or upgraded from any level.

I've noticed a lot of "boarding Zones 1 and 2" lately. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Visa Signature from B of A and the new World MasterCard get Zone 2 boarding as well? I can't help but think that that's made a big difference in crowding.

If I'm not mistaken, HP boards First, Top Tiers and then everyone else by zones which are divided up by windows first then middles then aisles working it's way from back to front?

Zone boarding does speed up the process, but people randomly entering the planes enhances total system efficiency.
The best system would be calling zones as small as one seat, but this would be too complicated.
The best thing to really speed up the process is strictly limiting the number/size etc. of carry-ons.

But who of us FTs is willing to check all bags for an approx saving of 5 minutes on a flight!

If you pm me, I can hand you some researches about that! Really interesting stuff!!

Actually, the bus airports (like FRA, for example) are a part of that. However, the airline can choose how to board, even by busses. It's intentionally vague language (hence the use of the term "gray area"). As you get experience, you'll note that this is sometimes done on purpose.

We get that you (a Gold) don't want anyone boarding in a group in front of you. That's nice. I might not like it either. But I wouldn't have liked it when I was SP, either. Fact of the matter is that the system is broken and the big swell seems to be in the GP ranks. It further devlaues the F and CP product to have the crush including GPs, which you don't seem to get. The value of CPs can be argued, but F is F - paid or upgraded from any level.

Wow, you have a cool plan this is how it will be done the McFlyPHL way:

Good morning ladies and gentleman. Welcome to US Airways 516 non stop service from Chicago Ohare to Philadelphia. At this time we will begin boarding:
This is how boarding will be done. Please take a look at your BP and indentify your zone number. Please board when your zone number is called.

First we preboard, passengers needing assistance, mother w/ childeren...

At this time we board Z1 All paid F class pax

... now Z2, all upgraded F class pax

... now Z3 all Chairmants pref whol flew 100k miles or 120 segs
... Z4 CP's who got it by fast track
... Z5 Real Plat's 75k miles or 90 segs
... Z6 Fast track plats
.... Z7 GP' the real way
.... Z8 GP' the fast track way
.... z9 SP the real way
..... z10 SP the fast track way
.... z11 visa or mastercard card holders
..... z12-20 all other coach pax

YOU KNOW McFlyPHL, I gotta hand it to you, if you ran US, this would be one well organized airline! Oh SORRY, skipped one detail: ITS NOT YOUR FIELD!


And of course our favorite McFlyPHL tagline. SHOCKING!

Wow, you have a cool plan this is how it will be done the McFlyPHL way:


It's pretty clear you haven't read (or comprehended) too many posts on this thread. You know nothing about my field, which makes your statements quite a bit more amusing. Or perhaps you really believe I am a cat herder who reinvents wheels.

I'd suggest you take a look at the suggestions here from myself and others, and learn from them. We've been around the block a few times (some on here many more times than me) and seen several different ways of doing things. It's what makes FT great - a resources when something isn't clear or you run into a roadblock, and a place where experiences and experience provide perspectives beyond our own.

Or perhaps you really believe I am a cat herder who reinvents wheels.



Fits you well. With your manner, you cant possibly interact w/ humans, so yes a cat herder who reinvents wheels is quite adequate. 2 things, would want to be one of those wheels, and um... feeling sorry for the um... POOR CATS!


And of course, our favorite McFlyPHL tagline... SHOCKING!

Wow, you have a cool plan this is how it will be done the McFlyPHL way:

Good morning ladies and gentleman. Welcome to US Airways 516 non stop service from Chicago Ohare to Philadelphia. At this time we will begin boarding:
This is how boarding will be done. Please take a look at your BP and indentify your zone number. Please board when your zone number is called.

First we preboard, passengers needing assistance, mother w/ childeren...

At this time we board Z1 All paid F class pax

... now Z2, all upgraded F class pax

... now Z3 all Chairmants pref whol flew 100k miles or 120 segs
... Z4 CP's who got it by fast track
... Z5 Real Plat's 75k miles or 90 segs
... Z6 Fast track plats
.... Z7 GP' the real way
.... Z8 GP' the fast track way
.... z9 SP the real way
..... z10 SP the fast track way
.... z11 visa or mastercard card holders
..... z12-20 all other coach pax

YOU KNOW McFlyPHL, I gotta hand it to you, if you ran US, this would be one well organized airline! Oh SORRY, skipped one detail: ITS NOT YOUR FIELD!


And of course our favorite McFlyPHL tagline. SHOCKING!


Wow. What the &^$@ is your problem?

[QUOTE=McFlyPHL]Or perhaps you really believe I am a cat herder who reinvents wheels.
QUOTE]


Fits you well. With your manner, you cant possibly interact w/ humans, so yes a cat herder who reinvents wheels is quite adequate. 2 things, would want to be one of those wheels, and um... feeling sorry for the um... POOR CATS!


And of course, our favorite McFlyPHL tagline... SHOCKING!


Let's all try to limit the personal attacks.... it is getting distracting from the main purpose of this thread.. :)

I think, and I hate to say this, we should really get some "shoots" like Southwest does. Have the preboards in one line.. and then Zone 1 Zone 2,etc.. it could help..

Even if you separate the pre-boards from the regular coach. Speed it up

I think, and I hate to say this, we should really get some "shoots" like Southwest does. Have the preboards in one line.. and then Zone 1 Zone 2,etc.. it could help..

Even if you separate the pre-boards from the regular coach. Speed it up

Interesting point although I think it'd be better received if marketed that we're following CO's model and not that of Southwest! :D

Interesting point although I think it'd be better received if marketed that we're following CO's model and not that of Southwest! :D

Interesting idea - rodeo "chutes" to the cattle call! :D

Does anyone have experience with the CO method? I see the Elite Access areas with carpets and all, but wonder how it would work at US. If the idea is to separate boarding it might be difficult to put a crush of people through a smaller line. Or you could liken it to shooting elites out of a cannon... maybe not a bad idea to some!

[QUOTE=McFlyPHL]Or perhaps you really believe I am a cat herder who reinvents wheels.
QUOTE]

And of course, our favorite McFlyPHL tagline... SHOCKING!

Can't we block this guy/girl?
Seriously, there is NO value in this person's posts. yeah, yeah, free speech. . . . . .

[QUOTE=kinglobjaw]

Can't we block this guy/girl?
Seriously, there is NO value in this person's posts. yeah, yeah, free speech. . . . . .



Since when a king is a female?



By the way liveon777, this is only towards McFlyPHL. He asked for these forum wars, and Im just waiting till he retreats. Talk about waging wars. This is not about making the other user's time hard here, its about the public mockery of McFlyPHL. He can just tailgating me, and this will also subside. I mean, Liveon777, you wouldnt be too thrilled, if after every post I went and tried to attack you right? Well thats what McFlyPHL did, and now hes taked the hard way how to learn politeness in a public forum. Suprising many agree w/ me? Anyway liveon777, I hold no grudges against you, but you really got stop criticizing me. So what if Im 16, I still have the right to fly alot. Ask alot of F/a's they WILL tell you, that I can be nicer than many adults. So please lets not argue over some foolish thing. I might as well say im 42, will that make some less prone to attacking me?

*Sigh*

Interesting idea - rodeo "chutes" to the cattle call! :D

Does anyone have experience with the CO method? I see the Elite Access areas with carpets and all, but wonder how it would work at US. !


Would work as well as the screaming vacationers who get pissed when I use the preferred check in!

Would work as well as the screaming vacationers who get pissed when I use the preferred check in!

Angry vacationers *AND* livestock? Now that I would pay good money (but not full fare :p )to see!

Can't we block this guy/girl?
Seriously, there is NO value in this person's posts. yeah, yeah, free speech. . . . . .
if you believe the TOS (http://www.flyertalk.com/rules.shtml) have been violated (ed. fairly clear in this case), you can use the report bad post button (red triangle icon under appropriate post/name).
separately, you can use the ignore list feature in your myflyertalk settings.