Originally Posted by Dick Ginkowski
Of course, you heard it here first!
Cattle call boarding needs some fine tuning. Perhaps it could be done on a ten row basis or by zones but right now we see a lot of confusion and chaos.
As for elites -- what about a late connection? In the past you could board anytime. (Now you can but you can't since you would be at the back of the line.)
I really think NW should implement using special lines, like Continental does with extra carpeted lines, for boarding F and elites e.g., those who arrive late, to help avoid having to muscle through the "hoi poloi" to board. I really enjoy that feature when flying Continental, it helps reduce my anxiety about getting on in time to find space for my carry-on (which is the main reason I try and board early). Even before F or elites have been called to board on NW (if elites are called at all -- it's not consistent), I just hate having to deal with the coach crowd that piles up at the gate to board on busy flights. Even if I am holding an F boarding pass or am elite, pushing my way through the congregating coach pax can be unpleasant, e.g. I sometimes get dirty looks or even comments like "the line starts back THERE!" (especially since I don't usually look like their stereotype of people boarding in F). Two separate boarding lines shouldn't cost a lot of money, or would it?