Call me average if you will, but I am at the gate 30 minutes (or slightly more sometimes) prior to domestic departure - early boarding, slot control threats, etc. and I'd rather fly than try to argue with gate agents, get reaccommodated into another flight with much worse seats, have my carryon get gate checked, etc. etc.
If another values their time so much they can't spend those extra fifteen minutes at the gate and prefer to be at the Club or whatever, it's their right - and their risk, as well. 'Bye, I see we're boarding now...
Originally Posted by
formeraa
You basically need to stick around the gate area during IRROPS due to ATC. Sometimes the FAA will open up a slot and the flight needs to leave immediately.
Originally Posted by
jayer
Yes I have experienced it before on American Eagle. Explanation both times was FAA had told them they were going to slot control and they could leave early or be held late. I've experienced it AA as well but only a few minutes.
I was thinking they advertised be there half an hour early and they reserved the right to close up and back out as soon as the lobby was clear.
Originally Posted by
BA0197
AA is currently running a scheme where kickoff flights (first departures of the day from outstations) ( IAH has 5) should be attempted to be pushed back as early as possible. The station receives points for the amount of minutes an aircraft leaves early, as a result. This is to improve the aircraft schedules, as to not allow a delay at the beginning of the day to effect the aircraft for the rest of the day. Agents are allowed to close the door ANYTIME from T-15 departure. Procedure dictates that GAs should not close the flight before T-10 , unless all passengers have boarded. However, captains, ATC, and weather may all be sufficient reasons to close the flight from T-15, even if everyone has not boarded.
Originally Posted by
Ready2Go
15, per the Conditions of Carriage. You are fortunate that you were permitted to board, because at T-14 you had officially forfeited your seat. (Of course, many times people show up later than that and board just fine, but that's the rule.)