Originally Posted by
JDiver
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...
I wish there were more passengers like you then
Also, for AE flights agents must close the door considerable earlier than they would on AA flights. This is because of two reasons. One- the ramp has to close the cargo hold in order for the pilot to receive his final weight of the aircraft. This process takes about 4-5 minutes. So the agent has to tell the ramp "no more pax" well before the departure time in order for the aircraft to leave the stand at the scheduled departure time. Two- all AE flights are usually only worked by one agent. Ad for the CRJs that we get at IAH, it is no small task doing everything concerning the flight by one's self. (although we are such an awesome station that we usually help each other out on flights regardless if they are "ours" or not ).