"Random" boarding?
I'm skeptical if it'll work. To me it sounds like a recipe for an even bigger madhouse at the gate. But unlike WN's system, passengers won't have segregated entry points (A, B, and C or the equivalent) that encourage some semblance of order.
It's already difficult enough to fight through the masses of humanity that cluster around the gate at the first sign that an agent is grabbing for the PA system. I always face the dilemma: which of the dozens of people between me and the gate reader have legitimate claims to board before or with me (in which case, I don't want to barge by them) and which are imposters (in which case I probably do). Now I can imagine even more people bumrushing the gate.
Originally Posted by frankc98376
RAS is also adding a separate line (like CO) for elite boarding. This seems like it would be a really easy perk for NW to add.
CO's elite access carpet and entry portal leading up the the gate reader is a brilliant idea. The carpet and signage are hard to miss so you rarely see passengers who don't belong in the elite access line. And it is a nice way to enable elites to board at their leisure in a very expeditious process. Whether or not NW decides to persist with "random" boarding, the folks in Minnesota would do well to emulate their colleagues in Houston.