Originally Posted by
uiucsb
Aug 5, SNA: Row 12 ticket. I wasn't paying attention to the pre-boarding, etc. and only noticed some names being called, the F and elites call, and then rows 15-end called. I waited and waited for my section to be called, but noticed the line not getting much shorter. Finally, all rows allowed to board. Get onboard, and nearly all of the seats in the entire plane are filled. And, nearly all of the overhead bins are closed. Luckily, I could move someone's backpack onto another backpack and created space for my carryon. I was shocked at the percentage of filled seats for rows which I expected not to have boarded yet!
If you're in rows 6-15, remember that this is the section allocated to elite pax who have not been upgraded but will board before you. There are also 4 handicapped seats in these rows. Add in some parents with small children and partner elites, and it's not surprising that a good portion of the seats will be filled by the time boarding is officially announced for this section.
SNA is the one station I've actually seen boarding order meticulously enforced (just once, not a pattern). The agent called F & MVPG, and had to turn away an insistent AA Gold who evidently thought that his partner Gold status qualified him to board first.
Originally Posted by
uiucsb
Aug 8, SEA: Arrive at gate 3 minutes past stated boarding time (27 min before flight scheduled to leave), and the gate is empty! The sign says all rows boarding. On jetway, about 20 of us are informed that there is no more overhead space and everything must be gate checked and then picked up at baggage claim. Is this early boarding SOP for AS? I was shocked at AS boarding procedures for the 2nd time on the trip --- batting a thousand!
AS boarding is officially 40 minutes before the published flight time, even though the BP only shows 30 minutes prior. This changed sometime last year, and the BP's printed on new updated paper correctly reflect that.
Although I've never seen a strict enforcement of the 30-minute rule, note that if you don't show up at the gate until 27 minutes prior, you are in jeopardy of having your
seats or ticket cancelled.