Signs at the gates in Oakland indicate that they open for check-in 90 minutes before departure. This is a welcome change which should reduce the amount of time one needs to stand in line to get a decent number, as well as reducing the line before we last-minute folks show up. In fact, this morning I got from curb to boarding pass in about 10 minutes, which is a post-October record for me at OAK and about 40 minutes less than 2 weeks ago at the same time. I didn't know what to do with myself for 40 minutes, but if this keeps up I'll set my alarm for 20 minutes later. Almost like old times.

The new boarding pass system will further reduce the line at the gate, at the cost of putting most of the direct-to-gate passengers in the later boarding groups. I congratulate Southwest on the improvements, and I look forward to the new boarding group system. I am confident that they have thought of all the ramifications and properly balanced the pros and cons.