The Gate Lice are coming... the GATE LICE are coming
#1381
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/PM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,105
. . . I just don't like the numbered signs and ropes where people line up in chutes or holding pens. Nor do I want on board jokes and games, no seat assignments, no FC, with most trips exMSP connecting through MDW, etc. . . . I don't need to fly them to know that I don't want to do so.
And land on runways that are longer than DTW terminal A.
#1382
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,777
I'll admit to coming in sometimes from the side, but that's because it's often impossible to tell who is actually in line. If the gaggle of gate lice would move to the sides so that the actual line of people boarding at that time can come straight in this wouldn't be a problem. However, at least at many airports, there isn't even room for the 16 F passengers on an MD to make a straight line between the scanner and the gate lice, and that gets even worse in zones with more people. I've probably accidentally stepped in front of someone who was actually boarding in my zone, but I know for sure that I've had the same done to me. The system being proposed here would at least help somewhat to alleviate this problem.
I fully agree, I have just given up on any sense of boarding order. If I am sitting off to the side when my zone is called I enter from the side. If I am sitting elsewhere I enter from that direction.
#1383
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,334
Regardless of the direction, if there are people who aren't moving (to try to board) and they're blocking the way for me to board when my zone is called, I usually try "Excuse me please" twice, with the second request being a little louder, then say something like "please move, I need to get through, I'm in FC" (or whatever) once or twice, and then it finally becomes "please get out of the way." [no expletives or references to any body parts]
One time recently someone responded by yelling at me that I was rude, but I consider it rude to block others from boarding with the zone that they have earned or purchased. It's not likely that I'll play Minnesota nice and be stuck boarding with zone 99 because gate lice refuse to move and just stand there when they know that it's not yet their zone.
<end of rank. thank you. that feels better>
One time recently someone responded by yelling at me that I was rude, but I consider it rude to block others from boarding with the zone that they have earned or purchased. It's not likely that I'll play Minnesota nice and be stuck boarding with zone 99 because gate lice refuse to move and just stand there when they know that it's not yet their zone.
<end of rank. thank you. that feels better>
#1384
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
#1385
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
It always seemed to me that more people would be willing to check a bag if they could depend on the bag being delivered promptly, undamaged, not lost, and with nothing stolen from it. Having TSA do security has made it worse for delays and items bing lost/stolen/damaged. There's also the inconvenience of needing to sometimes to get to the airport earlier to check a bg or having to wait in a long line to do so. Checking a bag just opens a lot of possibilities for things to go wrong. Furthermore, if one is using public transportation or even a shuttle bus to a rental car, it can be hard to manage more luggage than can fit into the bin anyway.
This. I've tried to do carry-on only since well before bag fees were a thing. And even today I'm far more likely to check a bag on a non-US airline.
Part of it is concern about correct, timely, and unpilfered delivery of the bag. Part of it is a desire to remain flexible for VDBs, last minute schedule changes, IRROPs, etc.
Most of it is that I can't stand dealing with a bunch of stuff while I'm travelling, so I pack very light and find a laundromat on trips longer than a week.
Part of it is concern about correct, timely, and unpilfered delivery of the bag. Part of it is a desire to remain flexible for VDBs, last minute schedule changes, IRROPs, etc.
Most of it is that I can't stand dealing with a bunch of stuff while I'm travelling, so I pack very light and find a laundromat on trips longer than a week.
#1386
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,989
Regardless of the direction, if there are people who aren't moving (to try to board) and they're blocking the way for me to board when my zone is called, I usually try "Excuse me please" twice, with the second request being a little louder, then say something like "please move, I need to get through, I'm in FC" (or whatever) once or twice, and then it finally becomes "please get out of the way." [no expletives or references to any body parts]
By the time they figure out what happened, you are long gone...
#1387
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVPG, DL KM, Bee Six, Bonvoy Plat, Avis PC, Natl Exec, Greyhound Road Rewards Z"L
Posts: 16,569
-J.
#1388
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: UA Gold ,DL Gold,AA,HHonors Diamond, Priority Club Gold,Hyatt Platinum,Marriott Gold
Posts: 154
It always seemed to me that more people would be willing to check a bag if they could depend on the bag being delivered promptly, undamaged, not lost, and with nothing stolen from it. Having TSA do security has made it worse for delays and items bing lost/stolen/damaged. There's also the inconvenience of needing to sometimes to get to the airport earlier to check a bg or having to wait in a long line to do so. Checking a bag just opens a lot of possibilities for things to go wrong. Furthermore, if one is using public transportation or even a shuttle bus to a rental car, it can be hard to manage more luggage than can fit into the bin anyway.
#1389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
#1390
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Nashville
Programs: Delta - DM, Ritz PM, Hertz President's Club, National Executive Elite
Posts: 77
It always seemed to me that more people would be willing to check a bag if they could depend on the bag being delivered promptly, undamaged, not lost, and with nothing stolen from it. Having TSA do security has made it worse for delays and items bing lost/stolen/damaged. There's also the inconvenience of needing to sometimes to get to the airport earlier to check a bg or having to wait in a long line to do so. Checking a bag just opens a lot of possibilities for things to go wrong. Furthermore, if one is using public transportation or even a shuttle bus to a rental car, it can be hard to manage more luggage than can fit into the bin anyway.
#1391
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
Regardless of the direction, if there are people who aren't moving (to try to board) and they're blocking the way for me to board when my zone is called, I usually try "Excuse me please" twice, with the second request being a little louder, then say something like "please move, I need to get through, I'm in FC" (or whatever) once or twice, and then it finally becomes "please get out of the way." [no expletives or references to any body parts]
One time recently someone responded by yelling at me that I was rude, but I consider it rude to block others from boarding with the zone that they have earned or purchased. It's not likely that I'll play Minnesota nice and be stuck boarding with zone 99 because gate lice refuse to move and just stand there when they know that it's not yet their zone.
<end of rank. thank you. that feels better>
One time recently someone responded by yelling at me that I was rude, but I consider it rude to block others from boarding with the zone that they have earned or purchased. It's not likely that I'll play Minnesota nice and be stuck boarding with zone 99 because gate lice refuse to move and just stand there when they know that it's not yet their zone.
<end of rank. thank you. that feels better>
#1392
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,334
I like to say, "Excuse me!". When they turn around to look at me, I say "Are you in first class?", while feigning helplessness and humility. There is inevitably a drawn out look of confusion and angst on their face, which is highly rewarding for me. 100% of the time, they will step aside. This only works if I have an upgrade.
#1393
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 482
Personally, I don't see the difference between the UA signs, or DL signs, or any other boarding signs. They are just signs. The fact that they let me board the plane when my group is called without saying "excuse me" a single time (not once On any UA flight) tells me it's a superior system. So I don't care what the signs look like. Any flyer seems to be able to understand them and they work great!
#1394
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 482
Next time I fly DL I may use this! Except maybe I'll try, "hot stuff, coming through", instead. I figure its only fair to be honest.
#1395
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: NYC, DAB
Posts: 254
I actually did carry a bowl of clam chowder on to a plane once several years ago. I very quickly learned from my mistake when we hit a spot of very rough turbulence. Nothing like having a whole bunch of hot liquid all over my brand new jeans.