Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,828
They can afford tickets but not the relatively minor cost for seat assignment? Come on.
Anyway, if indeeed they are that tight, then if they want to take a chance and risk not being seated together, they should live with the outcome rather than blame everyone else.
Nothing wrong, as long as they recognize that it may not happen in which case they won't be in a position to complain. however if they don't pay for seat assignments, and still feel entitled to sit together, no sympathy here.
Anyway, if indeeed they are that tight, then if they want to take a chance and risk not being seated together, they should live with the outcome rather than blame everyone else.
2. What is wrong with the family wishing to sit together. No, not buying seats for "together" does not equate to "willing".
#242
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
They can afford tickets but not the relatively minor cost for seat assignment? Come on.
Anyway, if indeeed they are that tight, then if they want to take a chance and risk not being seated together, they should live with the outcome rather than blame everyone else.
Nothing wrong, as long as they recognize that it may not happen in which case they won't be in a position to complain. however if they don't pay for seat assignments, and still feel entitled to sit together, no sympathy here.
Anyway, if indeeed they are that tight, then if they want to take a chance and risk not being seated together, they should live with the outcome rather than blame everyone else.
Nothing wrong, as long as they recognize that it may not happen in which case they won't be in a position to complain. however if they don't pay for seat assignments, and still feel entitled to sit together, no sympathy here.
#243
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
But just for the sake of discussion, isn't that what AC told their FFs after the last enhancements?
If you want to fly with all the perks and business seats, then just buy J. If you want to chance it, go ahead, but you get what you paid for?
#244
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,108
I have the solution for long-standing problem families with small children who need (or perceive the need) to sit together, and all the hassles that occur when they do not sit together.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
#245
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
I have the solution for long-standing problem families with small children who need (or perceive the need) to sit together, and all the hassles that occur when they do not sit together.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
#247
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I have the solution for long-standing problem families with small children who need (or perceive the need) to sit together, and all the hassles that occur when they do not sit together.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
Offer a "Family Convenience Package" when a passenger 5 or under is listed in the travelling party. Either make the package free or make it a bargain compared to seat selection for the whole party.
This package offers seat selection in the last X rows of the aircraft for the entire party and a "pre-boarding" option. This is all indicated on their boarding pass.
The pre-boarding announcement is then changed to "We are now boarding passengers holding Family Convenience boarding passes."
The people who need more time will be settling out of the way of other priority passengers likely near the front of the plane. At deboarding time they don't clog the aisle. They have assigned seats so there is less of a need for begging and pleading for seat switching.
Actually brilliant. ^
See next post for anecdote.
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
If this was not on a fin with PE, then a SE on a Y/B fare would trump you as well... so not necessarily entire cabin paid J...
#249
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Boarding zones and seat assignments
Further to zorn's excellent idea "The Family Convenience Package", I would add the following from personal experience.
Twice, I opted to give up my paid seat to a mom with an infant. I found a seat in the last row and it was fine.
On the third occasion where a family unit was seated separately, the mother was seriously annoyed that this happened and that none of the "preferred" pax would volunteer to move. Part of the family unit got pref seats assigned at the gate.
The FA gently explained to her that the Pref's paid extra for their seats and were not obliged to give them up.
Needless to say, the "discussion" continued, boarding was delayed while they were in the aisle. The FA suggested everyone take their seats and she would try to see if anyone would move.
Musical seats ensued as the FA looked for enough volunteers to get the family members seated closer together.
IMHO, while these incidents might be rare, they will continue as long as some pax do not want to pay for their seat assignments and then get upset when they board.
Zorn's idea would be great if executed properly and most importantly, if a family actually buys it. How do you sell this to those who won't pay for seats with their Tango tickets?
Twice, I opted to give up my paid seat to a mom with an infant. I found a seat in the last row and it was fine.
On the third occasion where a family unit was seated separately, the mother was seriously annoyed that this happened and that none of the "preferred" pax would volunteer to move. Part of the family unit got pref seats assigned at the gate.
The FA gently explained to her that the Pref's paid extra for their seats and were not obliged to give them up.
Needless to say, the "discussion" continued, boarding was delayed while they were in the aisle. The FA suggested everyone take their seats and she would try to see if anyone would move.
Musical seats ensued as the FA looked for enough volunteers to get the family members seated closer together.
IMHO, while these incidents might be rare, they will continue as long as some pax do not want to pay for their seat assignments and then get upset when they board.
Zorn's idea would be great if executed properly and most importantly, if a family actually buys it. How do you sell this to those who won't pay for seats with their Tango tickets?
#250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
They should have automated BP scanning gates like they do at FRA, but the only difference here is that for each designated line, there are two doors:
1. A door that opens in front of you if you are in the correct line, and
2. A door that opens below you if you are not in the correct line.
1. A door that opens in front of you if you are in the correct line, and
2. A door that opens below you if you are not in the correct line.
#251
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
what an absurd joke for those that suggest J after SE.
#252
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: *G
Posts: 2,304
http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/141117.html
"Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding for Economy Class customers"
"Naturally, customers who requested wheelchair assistance will still be invited to board first, and those travelling with children under the age of 6 can continue to board in advance of general boarding."
"Customers who have been assigned zone 1 or 2 may continue to use dedicated lanes to board at any time once general boarding has started."
"Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding for Economy Class customers"
"Naturally, customers who requested wheelchair assistance will still be invited to board first, and those travelling with children under the age of 6 can continue to board in advance of general boarding."
"Customers who have been assigned zone 1 or 2 may continue to use dedicated lanes to board at any time once general boarding has started."
#253
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,404
#254
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_lifetime_value
CLV (customer lifetime value) calculation process consists of four steps:
forecasting of remaining customer lifetime (most often in years)
forecasting of future revenues (most often year-by-year), based on estimation about future products purchased and price paid
estimation of costs for delivering those products
calculation of the net present value of these future amounts[5]
#255
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,570
Wasn't aware that was a perk of Y/B fares. I've never purchased one.
Then by all means, I say they should also board with SE/J. Chances are most people who purchase Y/B are probably also FFers...
Although in a 5 tier system (hopefully it won't be that complicated...) 'priority' doesn't necessarily mean 1st group. So let the debate rage on.
And again, thanks for participating in my education.....
Then by all means, I say they should also board with SE/J. Chances are most people who purchase Y/B are probably also FFers...
Although in a 5 tier system (hopefully it won't be that complicated...) 'priority' doesn't necessarily mean 1st group. So let the debate rage on.
And again, thanks for participating in my education.....