Originally Posted by
PDXPremier
So far *knock on wood* I haven't had to wait at all as a Lounge + member....I'm "locked in" to this members thing because while I get that I can't count on being admitted without a wait if I want to use a pass or some other means of entry when it's busy, I do have what I consider a "fair" expectation that it will be available when I need to use it if I actually purchased the lounge membership....if I need to work out from 6:30am-7:30am everyday and the gym tells me to wait 30 minutes, that's not going to work on a regular basis and I think it might be difficult for some to justify renewing their membership if they can't use what they paid for. As was mentioned previously, at least for the short term, providing some sort of airport food/beverage credit for loung members that are not able to access the lounge would go a long way in at least providing something back that was essentially pre-paid for.
I understand what you are saying and what you want to believe, but I also recall many years ago that you made largely the same arguments when you held Priority Pass (and AS lounges "ostensibly" participated), "getting what you paid for," honoring their commitment, etc. You sort of seem to feel whatever method of entry you personally hold should be the prioritized method of entry.
Look, at this point lounge crowding is simply a spiraling, out of control problem and barring a huge (and I mean very damaging) recession/economic downturn, it just isn't going to get better. It's just not, that ship sailed. Almost everything has been tried (limiting guests, charging for guests, kicking out Priority Pass, etc) and basically nothing has worked lines are out the door. There is literally an insatiable demand for access to lounges (including from you!) and access has been largely "democratized" for better or worse, making it available to everyone at a fairly nominal cost. There is just a huge supply/demand imbalance and there is literally no evidence its getting better. (*Note: I'm speaking broadly here about airport lounges in general, not just AS lounges)
And eventually, there will be lines at even the new PDX lounge after it opens. It is what it is.
Frankly, AS should move away from using the term "member" as airport lounges really aren't "memberships" in the strictest sense anymore (and haven't been for quite awhile). You are just paying for access and that access really can't be ironclad guaranteed; it's just not possible with a limited, physical space, no matter how much you wish it so.
Regards