Originally Posted by
Mark_T
If everything is ready on the plane and there are a good number of people waiting out front why shouldn't they start boarding a little early?
One reason, as I understand it (and
sluggoaafa can correct me) is that flight and cabin crew are not paid until doors close or wheels up (have heard conflicting reports), and since boarding can't start until most FAs are on board, early boarding means more unpaid work time for the crew.
Originally Posted by
wolf539
And enjoy the show... My favorite is watching the poor lowly Gold who's 29th on the upgrade list standing by the podium and looking longingly at the GA, hoping against hope that his upgrade will clear.
How do you know the person is Gold or that he or she is #29?