Another data point in the ongoing saga of whether or not board when waiting for a gate upgrade...
Today on DL 65 (ATL-LAX) when I got to the gate I was #2 of 33 for 0 seats but there were 2 seats listed as "not checked in." The inbound was late and there was some other problem and we didn't start boarding until past our scheduled departure time. The flight was full.
I asked the gate agent and he said to hang back -- that once boarding had started he would clear the upgrades.
At some point around the end of zone Sky/start of zone one. I became #1 on the list, but still 2 seats not checked in. I figured #1 had boarded.
Around the time they called zone 3 I became a gate louse and hovered nearer the desk than I usually do. The Agent asked me where I was on the list and I said "#1" and he said, "Oh, you are Mr Jones?" I told him no and gave my name. He said "you are #2, Mr Jones in #1." I pointed out the GIDS had me #1 and he said the GIDS was not right and he had the the true list and Mr Jones had boarded but was still #1 and he would be brought forward. I said no problem, but I was curious as I was told by other agents that when you boarded you lost your upgrade. "Oh no, we're supposed to come get you" he replied. He further said, there is a risk because if the flight is running behind they might not have time to come get you, but they were supposed to.
BTW, when I left ZRH this morning (about 13 hours before flight time) I was #3 of a bunch for 6 seats (DM on a T fare). When we got to ATL I was still #3 but now for 0 seats. I am not sure, but I think the 2 people above me were the same all along. The latter is not a complaint, just an observation.
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I realize that the story is about the procedure, not the outcome, but . . . . what happened??? I'm waiting for the happy ending! Did'ja get the UG or not?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMadBrewer
Around the time they called zone 3 I became a gate louse and hovered nearer the desk than I usually do. The Agent asked me where I was on the list and I said "#1" and he said, "Oh, you are Mr Jones?" I told him no and gave my name. He said "you are #2, Mr Jones in #1." I pointed out the GIDS had me #1 and he said the GIDS was not right and he had the the true list and Mr Jones had boarded but was still #1 and he would be brought forward. I said no problem, but I was curious as I was told by other agents that when you boarded you lost your upgrade. "Oh no, we're supposed to come get you" he replied.
I asked the same thing... for the same reason. Was told the same thing - they're supposed to come get you, time permitting. The discrepancy with the displayed list is what made me curious, too. I don't have enough experience with upgrades on DL (or I'm at the bottom of a long list) to know what the status quo is.
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The gate agent is wrong. Once you board you lose your spot on the upgrade list. If a gate agent tells you otherwise, go get a red coat and have them explain the rules to the gate agent. It doesn't make sense for a gate agent to come get you after a fully boarded flight and have people jump seats and have to move bags, etc.
The gate agent is wrong. Once you board you lose your spot on the upgrade list. If a gate agent tells you otherwise, go get a red coat and have them explain the rules to the gate agent. It doesn't make sense for a gate agent to come get you after a fully boarded flight and have people jump seats and have to move bags, etc.
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this whole thing was over a upgraded seat?????OMG......hilarious.....you and the other minions really bring joy to my boring life in the desert.....if this was a debate about SQ or EK i would chime in....this is funny
1) Last week, I was #6 on the list for 0 at boarding.
Waited while others boarded. Became #1 on the list.
Asked the GA if 1st had boarded full -- she said no, there was one seat left.
After final boarding call, she cleared me into the that seat.
2) Another DTW GA, when posed the same question the week prior, confirmed she follows the 'boarded, removed from list' procedure.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cosflyer
this whole thing was over a upgraded seat?????OMG......hilarious.....you and the other minions really bring joy to my boring life in the desert.....if this was a debate about SQ or EK i would chime in....this is funny
No, it's about the process. Knowing the process (and knowing that it's followed appropriately) presents one with different choices: making a decision on whether or not to board on whether or not that changes your eligibility for an upgrade. If the flight looks full and I'm not already upgraded, I'm likely to board and risk losing the upgrade rather than not board and risk losing overhead space. OTOH, if boarding doesn't change my status, I'm going to board early anyway to get overhead space in case the UG doesn't clear. The one time it becomes worth waiting is when the upgrade hasn't cleared, I have a reasonable shot (#1 or #2 on the list), and I don't care about overhead space.
So no, it's not about the seat, it's about correct application of standard procedure since that directly affects boarding time choice, which is ALSO subject to correct application of boarding procedures.
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+1. Even n my limited DL upgrade experience I've been pulled up front by a GA, as well as had that explained as the procedure.
Can anyone provide a link to the actual procedure?
Can't provide a DL link but this was discussed at the ALT DO a couple years ago and there was a specific FT thread stating that the offical DL policy is if you board, you lose your slot on the UG list. This has been discussed ad nauseum on FT so you can search through many threads.
That said, it is clear there are two policies in the real world and it depends on the GA/station mgr. Some will bump you from the list if you board, some will come get you after you board. I typically clear at the window but if I didn't, I would get to the gate before boarding begins and ask the GA which policy they follow. Sure, you can raise a stink if they allow the non-official policy but it is so much easier and less stressful if you simply follow the guidelines set by the GA even if it is not what DL calls their official policy.
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Granted the rules, but doesn't it come down to --
-some agents print the list before starting boarding, so they have a list that in their minds is the order for upgrades, and even though the passenger boarded, s/he is on this list that the agent will work from.
-some agents maybe don't print that list and use the automated system that forfeits the upgrade when the boarding pass is scanned. So, you aren't on the list anymore.
Inconsistent, yes. Training and standardization needed, yes.
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I realize that the story is about the procedure, not the outcome, but . . . . what happened??? I'm waiting for the happy ending! Did'ja get the UG or not?
Yes. I got it. But there was some drama there too but not sure if it was due to my upgrade or not.
After Mr Jones was brought forward (I surprised him by saying "Mr Jones, I presume") -- and now all FC seats were full. -- another GA came on board and in a drill sergeant tone demanded to see 4A's boarding pass. Well 4A had traded with 3D to put a couple together, so 3D's was inspected. She left. Ten minutes later she was back and demanded 4B's PB. Then she asked for mine which was only the little slip the scanner prints. Under her breath she muttered something line "He shouldn't have done that."
Later the first GA came back on board -- looking very unhappy -- and started calling off names from a list: "Is Joe Alpha here?, "Mary Baker" etc. for about 6 or 7 names. He got to "Mr Foxtrot" who didn't answer and then he left.
A few minutes later a final passenger came on board escorted by the Drill Sergeant who was being very apologetic. He then took a seat in .
Then we had some fuss because there was an empty seat in Y -- a FA had said she checked restrooms and they were empty but this seat had personal belongs around. It turns out the person was in the FC restroom (it was way closer to their seat than the Y ones)
I gathered from all this there was some discrepancy between counts.
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I think after months of confusion on this topic, one of our resident DL employees cleared it up, but I don't remember the thread. IIRC, the policy is:
If time permits, the GA may go on board and upgrade the original #1 on the list. If the GA does not have time to do this, the GA may upgrade the highest priority passenger that has not yet boarded the aircraft.
GAs may have differing opinions as to whether or not "time permits" (not unlike FAs deciding whether or not to do PDBs or in-flight drink service), so some may be more likely than others to just always upgrade the passengers who have not yet boarded. Thus it is true you do retain the highest chance of being upgraded by waiting in the gate area, but the GA is still permitted to upgrade those who have already boarded if they are so inclined.
