JetBlue TrueBlue - The BlueTurn...

So this is constantly a quarrel between our in-flight and ground crews, especially with the E190... When a 190 arrives at an airport, there is a certain time given to turn the plane and limited space in the forward galley. For ground crews, there is just XXX mins to turn the plane, inculding replenishing the galleys and cleaning the lavs, for in-flight, the time on the ground is spend wishing people well.

The argument then turns to what is more important for the customer: a fast turn and clean facilities, or a heartfelt goodbye from the crew? Customer Service upon departure, or slightly indiferent service with a better turn? How much is the customer willing to sacrifice in exchange for a well-performed turn?

Open question... go.

The argument then turns to what is more important for the customer: a fast turn and clean facilities, or a heartfelt goodbye from the crew?
Open question... go.


Is this a serious question?

Go clean the plane, get it back in the air and go make some (more) money to keep Jetblue profitable.

Now, can you do anything about getting my bags onto the baggage carousel any faster?

Hmm...In my industry we have "good, fast and cheap; pick any two" as a somewhat joking mantra. It sounds like you're limiting it to good or fast, which avoids the other option completely.

That being said, if the question is really "Should the in-flight crew say buh-bye to the departing pax or start cleaning the plane?" then I believe it is a non-issue. The FAs up front aren't going to be able to do much until everyone deplanes, and the FAs in the back aren't either, both because there are passengers in the way. In this case the solution is more bodies to do the cleaning, which is more money. That is one of the challenges of scheduling such tight turns.

Why not treat it like flight crews do, and switch off on every leg? Captains and FO's switch being the flying pilot, no? Who's to say that one FA can't be the buh-bye person, and the other can then get done whatever can get done to help the turn time because they are not doing the greetings? E190 is 100 seats, therefore 2 FA's, right? (I've flown B6, but A320 only.) One person not doing greetings is one more person freed up to get stuff done. Of course, my theory is shot to hell if the E190 does rear deplaning, in which case you need someone at the stairs.

Even if the rear FA was free to clean, there would still be a bunch of people in the way preventing them from doing much until everyone gets off the plane.

The problem also comes in from an FAA stand point on our end. For safety the aft flight attendant has to stay behing the last customer onboard and inbetween them and the rear exit and the front flight attendant is suppose to be up front incase an evacuation is needed out the front doors. It's easier on the 320s because that second flight attendant can jump into the aisle and start cleaning while the lead is saying good bye.

I've always sacraficed cleaning some when the aircraft is late. I won't clean as well as I normally would because, if I was the customer, I would want to arrive as close to on time and wouldn't care about few crumbs or wrappers on the floor. Just make sure there is no huge mess from some children.

interesting topic!

as a former b6 Ground Agent in SEA who only had two flights a day, we were in charge of everything including cleaning the plane(TRASH, Ice, Vaccumn). Technically, FA's don't need to help us, but they usually do anyway- That is after everyone deplanes. Like someone said earlier, they really can't do anything toward the front of the plane anyway when people are deplaning, so it doesn't really make a difference. From the GA standpoint, we were always positioned before the plane even pulls into the gate. Usually two go through the back door of the 320 and do the back Ice, Lavs, Trash...while one is up at the front doing the same. Usually the FA's and sometimes the pilots jump in to help after everyone leaves. But with 3 GA's doing the work, it can be done in 25-30 minutes. We had a complete turn of 35 minutes a couple of times while i was there (on the 320 of course) :)

I couldn't really speak for flights out of JFK or any other major blue city though, because they have a specific group of people designated to clean the planes...so i wouldn't really know the specific way they do a blue turn.

Faster turns = cheaper fares, don't need the buh-bye, especially because B6 FAs do something I never see UA FAs do during the flight - they smile.

I remember many A320 flights in '02 and '03 where we'd board and get off
from the back stairs, but haven't done that in a long time on B6. It was novel and saved time, don't know why it's stopped.

Faster turns = cheaper fares, don't need the buh-bye, especially because B6 FAs do something I never see UA FAs do during the flight - they smile.

I remember many A320 flights in '02 and '03 where we'd board and get off
from the back stairs, but haven't done that in a long time on B6. It was novel and saved time, don't know why it's stopped.

We still do it at many cities, however we are restricted by the local airport rules. Some airports won't let us for security reasons. I think the current cities are MCO, TPA, FLL, LGB, SMF.

We still do it at many cities, however we are restricted by the local airport rules. Some airports won't let us for security reasons. I think the current cities are MCO, TPA, FLL, LGB, SMF.

I've done this with B6 at LGB but I was first introduced to deplaning by the rear of the aircraft by HP at EWR (our jetway got stuck).

We still do it at many cities, however we are restricted by the local airport rules. Some airports won't let us for security reasons. I think the current cities are MCO, TPA, FLL, LGB, SMF.

Add PBI to the list as well, and RSW if time is really tight...

We still do it at many cities, however we are restricted by the local airport rules. Some airports won't let us for security reasons. I think the current cities are MCO, TPA, FLL, LGB, SMF.

I believe SEA allows rear boarding and deboarding, my experience was a long time ago when B6 was in the N gates handled by UA so I may be wrong now.

I don't think the question is of which is preferable to the customers, but which will provide most revenue. Would having the FA's say bye add to profit potential for the next trip when B6 is a similar price as XX or would a dirtier cabin detract and add money to XX? Also what is the problem with both but scheduling longer turns? The planes would fly the same routes the whole day but just have 5 minutes longer at each gate. Then by the end of the day if there are 6 turns (for example) the flight would arrive 30 minutes later. Would a person intentinally book away from a flight that arrives at 2300 instead of 2230? That is the real question. I think that B6's utilization is 13 hours per plane. Then the utililization would stay the same but with the long overnight turns being just 30 minutes shorther (for example). Someone else can do a survey with potential customers and find which plans increase profit, decrease, or have profit stay the same. My vote is that I would prefer both cleaning and the FA saying bye, I wouldn't care if I arrived home 30 minutes later.

Just wondering, is this question to poll flyers on a prefered "service enhancement?" if so then B6 does listen to FT which is good and should continue.

I don't think profit potential for the next trip is affected by the FA's saying bye to deplaning pax. A first time B6-er's mind is made up to try them again long before the stage of walking off the aircraft...at least it was for me.

Long overnight turns = maintenance. With the fleet being as new as it is, I can't miagine a maintainer really griping that the jet is in the hangar for 30 minutes less each night. If the maintainer is complaining about the time s/he has to work on the jet, that means that there's problems on the aircraft that require more time and attention. If the utilization is indeed 13 hours and that jet's day runs on time, that's enough time to tow it in, have a crew working it for 8 hours, and tow it back out. If there's a step in the equation that saves time, that might well be it. As said earlier, with such a young fleet, maintainers hopefully don't need a full shift.

I think that a carrier is more likely to lose repeat business if the planes are dirty than they are if the FAs aren't standing at the door saying "buh-bye." But I still don't understand how it is feasible to change the timing. As JetBlueFA noted, one FA has to stay at the front door and one at that aft door. On the 320s that leaves one to roam, but that would mean a reasonable chance of getting in the way of deplaning passengers. And you'll definitely lose customers if the FA's cleaning gets in the way of the pax deplaning. Much like making saussage, the cleaning of planes should happen out of the view of the general public. It should take ~15-20 minutes I'd guess to go through the 25ish rows and wipe everything down and give it a once over. The real cleaning would happen during the slack in the schedule, which there must be based on the 13 hour utilization, but which wouldn't necessarily be every day since a red-eye turn would clearly prevent it from happening each night. I assume there's something like what CO has where a plane comes in every couple weeks for some minor maintenance check-out tasks and to fix anything on the punch list (ie plane can still fly but is still broken). A decent vacuum job every couple of days wouldn't kill them either.

I guess I'm suggesting the extra 5 minutes be invested in the turn time and scheduled as such. Otherwise, can the FA say goodbye from the jetway instead of standing in the galley (probably not, but I figured I throw it out there)? I'd prefer that the catering happen out of sight, too, but if it has to be that way and the FA has to be there to say goodbye that's a reasonable compromise.

I don't think profit potential for the next trip is affected by the FA's saying bye to deplaning pax. A first time B6-er's mind is made up to try them again long before the stage of walking off the aircraft...at least it was for me.


I don't claim to know the numbers, nor the ability to perform the survey. I just laid out the equation I think is necesary for B6 to carry out. A person may feel that if a FA says bye and takes time out of their day it reflects a happy employe and a good company. I don't know myself, I'm sure other ppl will take a stab at the equation and perceptions of ppl.

Agreed on your repeat business assertion, and regarding slack in the schedule and redeyes, the redeye flying is part of that jet's allotted 13 hours. Redeye and back to the west coast eats up 13 hours; do the cleaning after the jet has finished its cycle, maybe not necessarily on grave shift.

A person may feel that if a FA says bye and takes time out of their day it reflects a happy employe and a good company.


Fair counterpoint. I don't see a clear-cut answer...just about everything that everyone has proposed is good.

I think that a carrier is more likely to lose repeat business if the planes are dirty than they are if the FAs aren't standing at the door saying "buh-bye." But I still don't understand how it is feasible to change the timing. As JetBlueFA noted, one FA has to stay at the front door and one at that aft door. On the 320s that leaves one to roam, but that would mean a reasonable chance of getting in the way of deplaning passengers. And you'll definitely lose customers if the FA's cleaning gets in the way of the pax deplaning. Much like making saussage, the cleaning of planes should happen out of the view of the general public. It should take ~15-20 minutes I'd guess to go through the 25ish rows and wipe everything down and give it a once over. The real cleaning would happen during the slack in the schedule, which there must be based on the 13 hour utilization, but which wouldn't necessarily be every day since a red-eye turn would clearly prevent it from happening each night. I assume there's something like what CO has where a plane comes in every couple weeks for some minor maintenance check-out tasks and to fix anything on the punch list (ie plane can still fly but is still broken). A decent vacuum job every couple of days wouldn't kill them either.

I guess I'm suggesting the extra 5 minutes be invested in the turn time and scheduled as such. Otherwise, can the FA say goodbye from the jetway instead of standing in the galley (probably not, but I figured I throw it out there)? I'd prefer that the catering happen out of sight, too, but if it has to be that way and the FA has to be there to say goodbye that's a reasonable compromise.

Cleaning the whole plane out of sight of the pax is very hard to do. Deplaning 100 people (throw in a couple of wheelchairs) is about a 15 minute process. Boarding 100 is about a 20 minute process. Cleaning the plane takes around 10 minutes (none of the seats are wiped down btw, its mostly taking left over trash from the seat pockets and a light vacuum). B6 corporate proposes that all of this can happen in 30 minutes, a very challenging proposal. Cleaning while deplaning is necessary to get that all done.

What I'd like is for the CA/FO maybe step into the jetway if they wanna say bye, leaving the FAs where they have to be.

The reason I started this thread was because a couple of days ago, an unnamed 190 captain spent 10 minutes complaining to me that he can't stand there and say bye while the lav/galley is getting serviced. He didn't grasp my explaination that it's impossible to wait for everyone and turn a plane in 30 mins. The incident almost turned into a full-fledged argument between us. He kept arguing that "customer service outweighs a fast turn". But if the FA is saying bye, I don't think pax care if the CA/FO is there too. He can go to the jetway. Problem solved.

He didn't grasp my explaination that it's impossible to wait for everyone and turn a plane in 30 mins.
I definitely agree with this observation.

But if the FA is saying bye, I don't think pax care if the CA/FO is there too. He can go to the jetway. Problem solved.
I like seeing the cabin crew saying bye as well; I think that it is a very customer-friendly action. I'm not sure that it outweighs regularly turning a plane on time, but it is nice to see. The problem with the CA/FO going onto the jetway is that they will almost certainly have to walk past some pax and an FA to do so, which makes them appear as though they are pushing past others just to get off the plane. That's also not a good visual to present to customers.

I understand that the cleaning can't all happen out of sight of the customer. My main concern is that the crew doesn't appear to be pushing customers out of the way to get their job done; that sends the worst possible message to the customer. Even though it may not actually be true, giving the passenger the impression that they are the most important part of the trip, not the cleaning of the craft or any other crew duties, makes for happy customers and repeat business. A crew that is so consumed with themselves and just getting the job done and getting out of the airport makes for unhappy passengers; just ask folks who fly UA or NW a lot :D

He kept arguing that "customer service outweighs a fast turn".

wow, a pilot talking about customer service, on UA, they'd be moaning about seniority, their contract, capitalism

Cleaning the whole plane out of sight of the pax is very hard to do. Deplaning 100 people (throw in a couple of wheelchairs) is about a 15 minute process. Boarding 100 is about a 20 minute process. Cleaning the plane takes around 10 minutes (none of the seats are wiped down btw, its mostly taking left over trash from the seat pockets and a light vacuum). B6 corporate proposes that all of this can happen in 30 minutes, a very challenging proposal. Cleaning while deplaning is necessary to get that all done.

What I'd like is for the CA/FO maybe step into the jetway if they wanna say bye, leaving the FAs where they have to be.

The reason I started this thread was because a couple of days ago, an unnamed 190 captain spent 10 minutes complaining to me that he can't stand there and say bye while the lav/galley is getting serviced. He didn't grasp my explaination that it's impossible to wait for everyone and turn a plane in 30 mins. The incident almost turned into a full-fledged argument between us. He kept arguing that "customer service outweighs a fast turn". But if the FA is saying bye, I don't think pax care if the CA/FO is there too. He can go to the jetway. Problem solved.

You claim that it takes 45 minutes to turn an E190. Why was WN able to turn a 737 in 10 minutes in their early years? And why can't B6 do similar (not 10 minutes, but 25-30)?

Thanks for starting this thread. I was hoping that this would not be an "enhancement" between a bit more customer service and a dirtier plane. I think that customer service outwieghs faster turns if, and only if, the customer service enhances furture revenue. People shop at WalMart even though the local mom-pop store has more customer service because of cheaper prices. B6 should not become as ill-frequent as mom-pop stores in the United States (excluding the Country of Manhattan).

You claim that it takes 45 minutes to turn an E190. Why was WN able to turn a 737 in 10 minutes in their early years? And why can't B6 do similar (not 10 minutes, but 25-30)?

What I'm saying is that 45 minutes is reasonable for an E190 turn, but it is done in 30 or less, but only when cleaning can start during deplaning.

WN now does 20 minute turns, but their point-to-point system means that there are usually fewer people deplaning and boarding. The other major factor is that WN doesn't haul around the junk that we do.

WN: a drink and nuts = very little trash
B6: a drink, lots more snacks, headsets, headset wrappers = tons of trash and lots of stuff left in seat pockets.

The redeye flights get a good cleaning when the arrive on the east coast before starting their next flight. They usually have a 1.5 - 2hr down period before they go back out. The rest of the planes are gone through after they complete their day and are at the RON cities.

When an aircraft comes out of the hanger it is also cleaned and prepared to reenter service.

During the day the aircraft is lightly cleaned by the crews and airport agents by going through the cabin and pulling junk out of the seatbacks, picking up rubbish off the floors and a little vacuuming. Most of the times we arrive earlier than planned and can go through the cabin a little better.

Flights with little kids are the toughest because when you give little kids food, no matter no observant the parent is, most of it will end up on the floor. The shorter flights are easier to clean because we don't hand out as many drinks and snacks and their is less oppurtunity for the aircraft to get dirty. Transcons require a little more care because we go through with 3 services and their is more time for the aircraft to get dirty and messy.

What I'm saying is that 45 minutes is reasonable for an E190 turn, but it is done in 30 or less, but only when cleaning can start during deplaning.

WN now does 20 minute turns, but their point-to-point system means that there are usually fewer people deplaning and boarding. The other major factor is that WN doesn't haul around the junk that we do.

WN: a drink and nuts = very little trash
B6: a drink, lots more snacks, headsets, headset wrappers = tons of trash and lots of stuff left in seat pockets.

OK, makes sense. I thought B6 is a P2P airline? Centered around JFK/BOS/FLL/MCO/LGB/SLC to some extent. I can understand the diference between WN and B6 but always though B6 is P2P. I didn't say that B6 should do 10 minute turns, only that it should be quicker than 45 minutes. I can also understand that B6 carries more throw-away stuff than WN. Still makes little sense that a 73G can be turned twice as fast as an E190.

Thanks to JetBlueFA for a look at B6 ops. Intresting to read. I'm suprised that you do 3 services on TransCons. I recently flew CO EWR-SEA (not by choice, went with family and was given a ticket) and they only had 1 service. Also a daytime AS flight SEA-EWR recently, 2 services. Also not by choice, I was with family and those are the flights that worked best because EWR is a much closer airport to where I needed to go (Rockland County) than JFK. B6 is just an overall better airline than CO or AS based upon my experiences. Also EWR is a stinky NJ dump, JFK is a nice NY dump. Big diference!

Good feedback from everyone here. Personally, when I fly, I don't mind who's saying bye to me and who isn't. When my plane gets where it's going, I shift gears mentally and pretty much assume my temporary relationship with the airline to be terminated at that point..... assuming my bags are there. ;-)

Thanks to JetBlueFA for a look at B6 ops. Intresting to read. I'm suprised that you do 3 services on TransCons. I recently flew CO EWR-SEA (not by choice, went with family and was given a ticket) and they only had 1 service. Also a daytime AS flight SEA-EWR recently, 2 services. Also not by choice, I was with family and those are the flights that worked best because EWR is a much closer airport to where I needed to go (Rockland County) than JFK. B6 is just an overall better airline than CO or AS based upon my experiences. Also EWR is a stinky NJ dump, JFK is a nice NY dump. Big diference!

Well technically we do 3 services on the transcon day flights. They aren't 3 full services but break down like so. First initial service is a full selection of drinks and snacks from the snack basket. Halfway through the flight is a water service for the cabin. 1.5hrs out from landing we had out the Lorna Dunes and another full selection of drinks. Plus we have a snack basket set up in the rear galley for the who like to munch. So those flights have a lot of cans, cups, bottles, and wrappers floating around the cabin.

Personally, when I'm on a flight that is late, like my last flight which has a security issue, we didn't clean as well in hopes as getting back out on time. I think most customers are willing to sacrafice a little dirt in the aircraft if they will arrive ontime at the destination..right?

Also EWR is a stinky NJ dump, JFK is a nice NY dump. Big diference!

Hey, that's my home dump your talking about!!! :eek: :D

The CO flights also depend on the flight crew working also as well as the time of the flight. A red eye will get less service walk throughs than a day time flight. I also just did a trip to MSP not too long ago on CO. On the way up we only had one service on a flight that was about 70% full and the return trip was packed and we got 2 services.

I think most customers are willing to sacrafice a little dirt in the aircraft if they will arrive ontime at the destination..right?

I would have to agree with that. Nobody likes a dirty aircraft but it can be overlooked to be on or close to schedule (providing the aircraft isn't discusting).

JFK might be a nice NY dump, but at least in EWR you can find your way out. There's still someone driving around with a :confused: look on his face who took a wrong turn within JFK in 1974...the wife that yelled at him to make the turn has since died in the passenger seat.

JFK might be a nice NY dump, but at least in EWR you can find your way out. There's still someone driving around with a :confused: look on his face who took a wrong turn within JFK in 1974...the wife that yelled at him to make the turn has since died in the passenger seat.

OMG i don't think i've laughed so hard in quite a while! :D^:D

Well technically we do 3 services on the transcon day flights. They aren't 3 full services but break down like so. First initial service is a full selection of drinks and snacks from the snack basket. Halfway through the flight is a water service for the cabin. 1.5hrs out from landing we had out the Lorna Dunes and another full selection of drinks. Plus we have a snack basket set up in the rear galley for the who like to munch. So those flights have a lot of cans, cups, bottles, and wrappers floating around the cabin.

Personally, when I'm on a flight that is late, like my last flight which has a security issue, we didn't clean as well in hopes as getting back out on time. I think most customers are willing to sacrafice a little dirt in the aircraft if they will arrive ontime at the destination..right?

OK, then there were 2 services because at the end the FA's came down with some water. I don't drink water on planes because I have a paranoia about bacteria in the tanks. I prefer sparkling water from a can. I can understand that there is a lot of trash after a TransCon, so a 45 minute turn should be expected (especially with JFK delays, as it relates to JFK-SEA)

Sorry Seat13c, I never knew people cared for oil refineries :). Every time I go to NJ I am reminded of Futurama when Fry looks for an apartment, sees a nice one in NJ and then goes back to his office and says "not one place remotely liveable." I agree with Fry. Anyway, I'm sorry you're from NJ but I don't hold it against you :)

Back to airline talk. The flights I was on were not redeyes so maybe I got spoiled by my times on B6 that CO seems terrible.

Good one, ConciergeMike. Though at EWR it is very annoying to walk out and the temperature is at freezing, then walking through the empty garage to parking (in the A gates). I also prefer JFK because there is more varied selection of aircraft/airline than at EWR.

OK, then there were 2 services because at the end the FA's came down with some water. I don't drink water on planes because I have a paranoia about bacteria in the tanks. I prefer sparkling water from a can. I can understand that there is a lot of trash after a TransCon, so a 45 minute turn should be expected (especially with JFK delays, as it relates to JFK-SEA).

The spring water isn't from the tanks as i wouldn't drink it either lol. I'd hate to see those tanks after a lifetime of service! I've seen flight attendants carry a tray of water for the last service but many of them have their pad with them to take orders. I do it that way as well. Through my time I have found that 90% of the customers want water that late in the flight. I have my pad with a tray of water. I still take the soda, and juice orders.

Sorry Seat13c, I never knew people cared for oil refineries :). Every time I go to NJ I am reminded of Futurama when Fry looks for an apartment, sees a nice one in NJ and then goes back to his office and says "not one place remotely liveable." I agree with Fry. Anyway, I'm sorry you're from NJ but I don't hold it against you :)


You gave me a good laugh, prismwiz. Its the only place I've called home but I'm not sure if I can say I am too permimantely attatched. The people are as cold as the weather is and you know you've just at EWR by smell alone.

EWR is easier to get around/in and out of. However, I can't say its in the most welcoming area.

The spring water isn't from the tanks as i wouldn't drink it either lol. I'd hate to see those tanks after a lifetime of service! I've seen flight attendants carry a tray of water for the last service but many of them have their pad with them to take orders. I do it that way as well. Through my time I have found that 90% of the customers want water that late in the flight. I have my pad with a tray of water. I still take the soda, and juice orders.

I switched from CO to B6 mid paragragh, sorry if that was confusing. It's good that B6 is so customer oriented, you are a credit to all FA's on B6. Much better than any CO (or AS) flight that I have taken.

Seat13c, glad I could give you a nice laugh. I once lived on the East Coast but have lived near SEA for many years. You couldn't pay me to move anywhere North of Whistler, South of ACV, or East of the Cascade Mountains. I was just in NYC (area) a week ago and I was there when the snow hit, 8 inches where I was. That+the summer humidity alone makes me never want to live there. If I want snow I could drive an hour East to the Mountains, no need for snow where I live! EWR may be easier to get into/out of than JFK (or LGA for that matter) but I wouldn't know, whenever I'm in NY I get picked up by family.

EWR as an airport, I don't like it! When I was at TSA on Saturday they had a person at the metal detector making people fetch their ID and keep Boarding Passes in their hands. I've never had that happen anywhere! If people had left their ID's in their bag the Metal Detector Guard stopped the line and made us wait until said person retrieved their ID and showed it to him for him to see. Never had that happen, although I don't fly as much as most other people on FT.

When I was at TSA on Saturday they had a person at the metal detector making people fetch their ID and keep Boarding Passes in their hands. I've never had that happen anywhere! If people had left their ID's in their bag the Metal Detector Guard stopped the line and made us wait until said person retrieved their ID and showed it to him for him to see. Never had that happen, although I don't fly as much as most other people on FT.

Sadly this is not uncommon at various airports. At SEA if you have the SSSSecondary note on your BP a TSO walks you to the correct line and you get your secondary. At many other airports the SSSSearch happen in whichever line you're in, so the TSO needs to check your BP. It is incredibly inefficient and wastes a lot of peoples' time, but that seems to be the TSA's MO.

As for which airport is nicer, JFK T6 is nicer than EWR A2 (B6 gate areas), but EWR C (CO's hub ops) is as nice as JFK T6, maybe even nicer depending on what your metrics are. I think that EWR is brighter and more comfortable to sit in, while JFK has free WiFi (though so does EWR if you're close enough to a Presidents Club ;)). You cannot judge an entire airport by one set of gates, unless you're only judging it for travel on a specific carrier.

As for which airport is nicer, JFK T6 is nicer than EWR A2 (B6 gate areas), but EWR C (CO's hub ops) is as nice as JFK T6, maybe even nicer depending on what your metrics are. I think that EWR is brighter and more comfortable to sit in, while JFK has free WiFi (though so does EWR if you're close enough to a Presidents Club ;)). You cannot judge an entire airport by one set of gates, unless you're only judging it for travel on a specific carrier.

A2 is part of the worst terminal at EWR. I've never liked that terminal just b/c of the condition and crampt style.

The PANYNJ has made some nice upgrades to Terminal B but still has some ways to go. CO and the PANYNJ has done a fine job with Terminal C (granted it does take some time to get to far ends of it but its still pretty nice and not as long as ones like SEA).

Seat13c, glad I could give you a nice laugh. I once lived on the East Coast but have lived near SEA for many years. You couldn't pay me to move anywhere North of Whistler, South of ACV, or East of the Cascade Mountains. I was just in NYC (area) a week ago and I was there when the snow hit, 8 inches where I was. That+the summer humidity alone makes me never want to live there. If I want snow I could drive an hour East to the Mountains, no need for snow where I live! EWR may be easier to get into/out of than JFK (or LGA for that matter) but I wouldn't know, whenever I'm in NY I get picked up by family.


Let me tell you, SEA is a fine place. Not much snow in town and plenty off coffee on every street corner. I've been up there a few times and won't mind considering as a place to live someday. The only problem is being employed there. I kinda would need a job.

Sadly this is not uncommon at various airports. At SEA if you have the SSSSecondary note on your BP a TSO walks you to the correct line and you get your secondary. At many other airports the SSSSearch happen in whichever line you're in, so the TSO needs to check your BP. It is incredibly inefficient and wastes a lot of peoples' time, but that seems to be the TSA's MO.

As for which airport is nicer, JFK T6 is nicer than EWR A2 (B6 gate areas), but EWR C (CO's hub ops) is as nice as JFK T6, maybe even nicer depending on what your metrics are. I think that EWR is brighter and more comfortable to sit in, while JFK has free WiFi (though so does EWR if you're close enough to a Presidents Club ;)). You cannot judge an entire airport by one set of gates, unless you're only judging it for travel on a specific carrier.

Now it makes sense, it's a waste of time. Perfect TSA sense. I'm judging B6's terminal at JFK vs CO's terminal C. I give CO the edge because it is less crowded than B6's but that will soon change with T5. I would judge the DL JFK gates to be close to the AS's EWR gates. Both bad.

Seat13c, can't help you getting a job in SEA, sorry. People only come to live in SEA for three reasons:
1. Microsoft
2. Boeing
3. Other jobs (Amazon, Starbucks)

anyway...back to the original issue raised:

i don't think there would be as much of a concern about if the ground agents were more responsive and customer service friendly. If the crew needs to begin cleaning the plane, its not necessary for them to be at the door saying "goodbye" since we all just want to get off the plane as fast as possible. What should happen consistently, but never does, is that a ground agent is at the gate and is there to be responsive to questions/concerns regarding connections, luggage claim locations, terminal related queries. They should be responding to customers getting off the aircraft, not just those waiting to board. They should be the ones saying the "goodbye" greetings. It doesn't need to happen by the door of the plane.