Well OP, can't say I haven't been in your shoes. As others have said, your best line of defense is a complaint to the DOT, especially if you have a BP with the updated boarding and departure times. Do not mention leaving the gate and heading to the lounge--keep your complaint as concise as possible. If anything, perhaps a good deal of complaints will influence the airline to keep us better informed.
As for lounge announcements, I've had it stressed to me that "we do not announce flights" by staff when entering the AC. Unless you're on a widebody international flight, it is almost a certainty that your flight will not be announced. I meticulously check the boards and app, but like I said earlierv I've had the exact same thing happen to me.
Originally Posted by
Gig103
OP was in the lounge and there probably weren't any announcements. Odds are good that the rest of the passengers had nowhere better to be so they were nearby.
I encourage OP, as others have, to contact the DOT because of the boarding pass actually being printed for 5:45. I had a scare in HNL last year where AA was boarded early. I was in F, and went over to the gate when my BP said boarding would begin, and the plane was loaded except us.
Leaving earlier while delayed is annoying, but the early departure thing really gets frustrating. Sorry, but it's just wrong if you show up at the start of boarding time and they act like you're late and are about to leave without you.
Originally Posted by
nk15
This happens to me frequently, 5 minutes after the scheduled boarding time and they have already boarded a full 787 and calling my name, just crazy...Another time I am getting a starbucks and they're threatening to close the doors if I am not there in 1 minute, 45 minutes before scheduled departure...These early unannounced boardings and departures drive me nuts, quite common for international long hauls ...
Had it happen a few times at DFW while flying TAT./TPAC. The AC will announce the first boarding call for the flight, I'll get up and leave about five minutes after, and I'll hear "Final Call for passengers Brewdog11, X, Y, and Z! The flight is about to close!" while walking through the terminal toward the gate.
It was kind of cool hearing my name incorporated into a Chinese announcement one time, though.
Originally Posted by
Flyer78
There are numerous other threads about not posting updated times on monitors, etc. throughout the airport or club. Would seem that would also be an "easy" fix. Even a note to the GAs that "[a] passenger[s] are checked into the club"
Isn't there a way for the GA to see that you've entered the club?