Originally Posted by
brunos
Conformance is fairly strictly enforced by BA computer system. The 20 min gate closing is more of an information to motivate pax to get to their gate early. In theory it is enforced and the rule can be used to turn down late pax. But often, boarding is not completed and door closed 20min before departure time.
Yes this does mirror my own experience too.
I suspect some of this comes down to the implications of missing the flight and individual attitude to risk.
For me I would never plan as tight as hitting conformance at t-35m then being at the gate at potentially less than t-20m. I’ve been on enough BA flights where they have been completely boarded before t-20m. The staff may have waited for a last passenger to close the door but equally they may not have done.
However, if I was held up for some reason I would still go to the gate as fast as I could because, as you say, there would still be a decent chance of making the flight.