172pilot

That's not what I said. In fact my first statement is that it is clearly wrong. My comment is more that zoned boarding on a CRJ is not something to get worked up about.

canadiancow

The problem is when there are 30 people in zone 2 (seen it happen), but only 2 in zone 1.

But then they just use the logic "Oh well there aren't many people in zone 1".

yyznomad

There are still agents who refuse to accept Zone 1 people who arrive after the call for other zones has commenced. You walk up into the zone 1 lane a second everyone else busy boarding and nobody summons you, forcing you to assert yourself when you don't feel like it.

flyquiet

That happens to me occasionally and as a Zone *, it pisses the heck out of me. I can't hear you calling Zone 1/2 (duh) and since they have told me I have to personally notify the gate of my presence, I have already shown them my BP by this time, so they know I am there, *G/deaf. So why should I wait to board in the second batch, after my status? Grrr

jc94

Given CRJ overhead space I find this - along with almost all narrowbodies - to be one of the best aircraft to get priority boarding on.

quantumofforce

Flying with family this past week and zone 2 (family zone 5 or whatever)
Went to board during zone 2 and I often get told to go back until zone 5 is called, then I ask can I board with my infant (who has a seat) in zone 2 and rest of family can join later, they roll their eyes and say OK fine you can all board together.

This time was different. He looked at all the tickets, saw I was zone 2 and said we can board together no problem and was nice and polite. I was impressed!

canadiancow

8010 YYZ-YGK, gate D3, DH1.

GA announced zone 1.

I head over, and a louse takes a step to the left to block me.

Then the GA steps back to deal with a wheelchair (not a person, a chair).

Then she comes back, announces 1 and 2, and the guy in front of me boards with a zone 4 BP.

canadiancow

739 YYZ-SFO gate F55.

GA announced they wanted people to gate check their bags.

He then proceeded to cross out their zone number, write "2", and tell them to board in zone 2.

First of all, that's not how it's supposed to work.

Second, what is the benefit of boarding early if you don't have a bag?

jc94

So this is a new feature? Gate check a bag and get promoted to zone 2? Maybe, once I lose status I should take 2 bags so I can check one, get some 2 and have space for the second

canadiancow

I've posted before that SFO sometimes allows people with only a personal item can board in the 1/2 line AFTER zone 2 boards.

I had no issue with that at the time, but now that zone 3 can be bought (through preferred seats), I still don't think it's appropriate.

"You have a zone number printed by the system but I'm going to arbitrarily override this without a compelling reason". It's not like you're holding an E50K card and for whatever reason can't get zone 2 to print.

DNAwizard

Actually, on a YYZ-YQB flight earlier this year people who gate checked their bags were told to board with Zone 1 as a thank you gesture from Air Canada. Not the way it should work at all.

zeer0

I know that's not official policy, but I wouldn't be against this being implemented on flights where people will have to gate check items and especially regional jets. It's not as if someone without a bag boarding before me is going to make much of a difference.

canadiancow

The problem is you have people checking their rollaboard while they have an oversized "personal item", and then end up taking up bin space anyway.

Meanwhile, the E35K+ don't have bin space for their one bag, because the FOTSG took it for their oversize backpack.

Everyone in Zone 2 paid for it. Period. Don't cheapen zone 2 (or 1).

asovse1

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have a question about priority boarding, among other credit card perks, that I couldn't self-answer searching this thread.

I have the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card (not the Infinite Privilege), and I booked an AE flight reward from PEK -> YYZ.

I don't really know much about airports -- and please correct me if I'm wrong --, but aren't the people at check-in local staff of the airport or major airline which 'hubs' the terminal? i.e. not Air Canada staff?

So will they be able to recognize my flight being an award, and that my card allows for additional perks BECAUSE I'm activating a flight reward? The ones I care about would be:

• One complimentary first checked bag (with Aeroplan flight rewards).
• Priority check-in and priority boarding (with Aeroplan flight rewards).

Assuming they let me check-in at the priority line in the first place, I'm anticipating they hand me back a BP with Zone 3-5 instead.

How should I deal with these one-time perks and sip and sample a life of Altitude members like so many on this subforum??


Thanks!

SparseFlyer

Here's a though. Move 3/4/5 to 4/5/6. Make 3 families etc, and gate checkers.

​​​​​​Problem solved.