Originally Posted by
troyintn
A lot of those time the people are not elite. I normally get up and get in line a couple of minutes before boarding. some of the people think all airlines are how Southwest use to be, not sure why.
Originally Posted by
DavidDTW
I call it the Southwest effect. Once anyone has flown WN, where everyone starts lining up for boarding even before the plane arrives at the gate, they act the same way regardless of what airline they are flying.
Actually NW's boarding procedure for non-elites is markedly worse than WN's ever was. If I were not elite, I would certainly be close to the boarding door well in advance. F boards, then elites then everyone at once. If, as a non-elite, you are not in line when the general boarding announcement is made, you are SOL with overhead space on many flights.
The problem is, as was mentioned, when non-elites get so close that it is a hindrance for others to get past them and board.
John