Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
Jun 15, 2015, 8:52 am
#2026
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In YQR this morning flying to YYC and they called Z1 and Z2 together. I was the only Z1 on board and probably 9 or 10 to board. GA also asked if I had my bags tagged, can't you just call the zones properly and look over at my bags and see if they're tagged?
Jun 15, 2015, 8:55 am
#2027
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Adam.Smith had a checklist idea. I'm all for it! That's what drives down lack of consistency and error issues with surgery/flying (e.g. pilot checklists). This may be a great idea for GA who are so inept it's a wonder that they remember to breathe.
Jun 15, 2015, 11:35 am
#2028
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After several frustrating Zone 1 & 2 called together incidents, I sent a PM to Ben L to check if that was the new way for smaller aircraft since it appears to be getting worse rather than better. He indicated that Zone 1 was to be called separately on ALL aircraft and would be passing on the feedback.
Jun 15, 2015, 11:42 am
#2029
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After several frustrating Zone 1 & 2 called together incidents, I sent a PM to Ben L to check if that was the new way for smaller aircraft since it appears to be getting worse rather than better. He indicated that Zone 1 was to be called separately on ALL aircraft and would be passing on the feedback.
If there are people in zone 1, call zone 1, wait at least ten full seconds, and see if anyone is coming forward.
If not (or if they all board sooner), call zone 2.
But when there are zone 2 lice everywhere, you can't just say "oh well I don't see anyone coming forward" after half a second and move onto 2.
Jun 15, 2015, 11:45 am
#2030
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I actually find myself standing closer to the line-up now as I am so tired of Zone 2's rushing in and getting the overhead space on smaller aircraft. I quite regularly am in 1C and don't have much if any space overhead.
At least I don't meet the Cow's definition of gate lice since I am Zone 1
At least I don't meet the Cow's definition of gate lice since I am Zone 1
Jun 15, 2015, 12:13 pm
#2031
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I actually find myself standing closer to the line-up now as I am so tired of Zone 2's rushing in and getting the overhead space on smaller aircraft. I quite regularly am in 1C and don't have much if any space overhead.
At least I don't meet the Cow's definition of gate lice since I am Zone 1
At least I don't meet the Cow's definition of gate lice since I am Zone 1
The funny thing is, they say they aren't doing it on small aircraft because there are so few people in zone 1, but that's when I NEED zone 1 (for the bin space).
If I'm in J on a 77W, I'm quite happy to board last. I'm still going to have enough space for three rollers.
Jun 15, 2015, 5:13 pm
#2032
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Out of YQB, it is usually Z1 and Z2 together. Usually on Q400 but regardless it is (or should be) about consistency.
A couple of weeks ago, the first recording for boarding was "we now continue boarding AC flight x with passengers seated in zones 1 and 2...". As a Z1er, I walked up to the podium and asked naively if boarding had already started and I had missed the first announcement since the recording was "we continue boarding" and the agent looked surprised and did not know what or how to answer. The other agent besides her bluntly answered "when there are only a few Z1, we do Z1 and Z2 together" !!! Well I'm quite sure this is not SOP
Obviously, agents know the rules but willingly decide to ignore them and make their own at will.
A couple of weeks ago, the first recording for boarding was "we now continue boarding AC flight x with passengers seated in zones 1 and 2...". As a Z1er, I walked up to the podium and asked naively if boarding had already started and I had missed the first announcement since the recording was "we continue boarding" and the agent looked surprised and did not know what or how to answer. The other agent besides her bluntly answered "when there are only a few Z1, we do Z1 and Z2 together" !!! Well I'm quite sure this is not SOP
Obviously, agents know the rules but willingly decide to ignore them and make their own at will.
1) Upgrade anyone they feel like outside of protocol (
)2) Call zone boarding (if they want to), and if they do call zone boarding, they will do as they please.
Jun 16, 2015, 12:34 am
#2033
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At this point, it would be nice if someone from AC (wink wink) could manage the expectations and just say:
#ManagingExpectations
If AC can't afford the training time/cost, then it should just make a 3 page ppt présentation on managing expectation to all its frontline staff.
Hey. I know you are mad at the Z1/2 boarding at the same time, but we have decided that under certain conditions (x aircraft size, y Z1 pax) we will board both at once.
If AC can't afford the training time/cost, then it should just make a 3 page ppt présentation on managing expectation to all its frontline staff.
Jun 16, 2015, 5:07 am
#2034
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That's stupid. It doesn't matter how few are in zone 1. What matters is the combined size of 1 and 2.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 25 zone 2 on a DH3 (not too uncommon on some routes and some times), they need to do it separately.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 3 zone 2, I don't really care.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 25 zone 2 on a DH3 (not too uncommon on some routes and some times), they need to do it separately.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 3 zone 2, I don't really care.
Jun 16, 2015, 6:06 am
#2035
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At this point, it would be nice if someone from AC (wink wink) could manage the expectations and just say:
#ManagingExpectations
If AC can't afford the training time/cost, then it should just make a 3 page ppt présentation on managing expectation to all its frontline staff.
#ManagingExpectations
If AC can't afford the training time/cost, then it should just make a 3 page ppt présentation on managing expectation to all its frontline staff.
Jun 16, 2015, 8:46 am
#2036
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AC 8710 YUL-YQB.
Deadheading crew (captain, first officer, and flight attendant) were invited to board first.
Then "zones one and two" were called.
Aren't employees supposed to board last?
Deadheading crew (captain, first officer, and flight attendant) were invited to board first.
Then "zones one and two" were called.
Aren't employees supposed to board last?
Jun 16, 2015, 10:00 am
#2038
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Jun 16, 2015, 10:10 am
#2039
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AC 8713 YQB-YUL
Automated announcement for zone 1.
There were 7 of us!
They played the 1+2 before I got out of earshot, but no one else seemed to be walking to the podium.
Automated announcement for zone 1.
There were 7 of us!
They played the 1+2 before I got out of earshot, but no one else seemed to be walking to the podium.
Jun 16, 2015, 10:28 am
#2040
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After several frustrating Zone 1 & 2 called together incidents, I sent a PM to Ben L to check if that was the new way for smaller aircraft since it appears to be getting worse rather than better. He indicated that Zone 1 was to be called separately on ALL aircraft and would be passing on the feedback.
That completely defeats the purpose of zone 1.
[...]
If there are people in zone 1, call zone 1, wait at least ten full seconds, and see if anyone is coming forward.
If not (or if they all board sooner), call zone 2.
But when there are zone 2 lice everywhere, you can't just say "oh well I don't see anyone coming forward" after half a second and move onto 2.
[...]
If there are people in zone 1, call zone 1, wait at least ten full seconds, and see if anyone is coming forward.
If not (or if they all board sooner), call zone 2.
But when there are zone 2 lice everywhere, you can't just say "oh well I don't see anyone coming forward" after half a second and move onto 2.
That's stupid. It doesn't matter how few are in zone 1. What matters is the combined size of 1 and 2.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 25 zone 2 on a DH3 (not too uncommon on some routes and some times), they need to do it separately.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 3 zone 2, I don't really care.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 25 zone 2 on a DH3 (not too uncommon on some routes and some times), they need to do it separately.
If there's 1 zone 1 and 3 zone 2, I don't really care.
Whether or not that's what the rules say, don't they usually board first? I have frequently been the first person to board during actual boarding and often find a captain already ensconced in J, with his hat up in the bin, and sometimes other employees.