Originally Posted by
kenn0223
So is this just sorting the line by keeping anyone needing something besides a bag tag out? It always seems that the lines are tied up by someone that has a super complex problem and they hold it up for everyone else. Here those people would all be collected together at the traditional check-in counter keeping this new area fast moving. I wonder if they plan to automate it once people get used to it. DL has tried a few different automated bag checks (the latest using CLEAR meme ERSG up for ID verification) but none have lasted very long.
Yes, if you're able to check in on the app and need to do nothing else but just check bags, the purple zone is for you. They have an agent at the entrance that checks your boarding pass and if won't let you pass if you don't fit that bill. Walk up, put on scale, scan your BP, agent tags it, checks your ID and done. I was always a paper boarding pass person but now that i've gotten accustomed to using my phone
Specifically for EWR (where I'm usually flying home to SFO), in the past when I've gone to the premier/1K/etc check in area, it was always a complete free for all. The agent would let you into that big rectangular area, you randomly pick a counter to line up at and hope someone in front of you doesn't have that complex rebooking with 6 bags to check (and unlike SFO, with seperate international & domestic terminals, EWR check in serves everyone). In those areas in EWR, what I noticed they have done, is put a stantioned line in so you wait and then go to the first available counter. That at least makes the regular check in area more organized and you're not jockeying for an open counter. YMMV but for me the process was much faster this time around....