Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
Nov 15, 2014, 9:03 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2013
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I think AC made a good choice to switch to zonal boarding and I agree with the way in which they established the tiers.
I flew several US F sectors recently and the zone strategy worked really well (it was my first experience with zonal boarding). US calls forward confirmed F first and there was no rush for the gate and there weren't lots of people queued up waiting.
US pax have apparently adapted to the system and only approach the gate when it's their turn (and these flights were on full E75 regionals where there would be lots of incentive to crash the gate for bin space).
(Only flew US F because on the same direct route AC only had CRJ, not CRA.)
I flew several US F sectors recently and the zone strategy worked really well (it was my first experience with zonal boarding). US calls forward confirmed F first and there was no rush for the gate and there weren't lots of people queued up waiting.
US pax have apparently adapted to the system and only approach the gate when it's their turn (and these flights were on full E75 regionals where there would be lots of incentive to crash the gate for bin space).
(Only flew US F because on the same direct route AC only had CRJ, not CRA.)
Nov 15, 2014, 9:08 am
#62
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Nov 15, 2014, 9:13 am
#63
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Nov 15, 2014, 9:18 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 1999
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And I am shocked AC will let SE passengers board in zone 1 given the disdain AC holds us in.
My prediction:
- Zone 1: AC employees
- Zone 2: AC employee's friends and family
- Zone 3: there is no zone 3, zone 1 and 2 members are still getting settled
- Zone 4: Paid J
- Zone 5: Y and *G
- Zone 6: any Altitude member
My prediction:
- Zone 1: AC employees
- Zone 2: AC employee's friends and family
- Zone 3: there is no zone 3, zone 1 and 2 members are still getting settled
- Zone 4: Paid J
- Zone 5: Y and *G
- Zone 6: any Altitude member
- Zone 1: CR
- Zone 2: no one (aka: red herring zone)
- Zone 3: AC Maintenance
- Zone 4: AC employees
- Zone 5: AC employee's friends and family
- Zone 6: there is no zone 3, zone 1 and 2 members are still getting settled
- Zone 7: Paid J
- Zone 8: Y and *G
- Zone 9: any Altitude member
Nov 15, 2014, 9:21 am
#65
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Mine:
- Zone 1: CR
- Zone 2: no one (aka: red herring zone)
- Zone 3: AC Maintenance
- Zone 4: AC employees
- Zone 5: AC employee's friends and family
- Zone 6: there is no zone 3, zone 1 and 2 members are still getting settled
- Zone 7: Paid J
- Zone 8: Y and *G
- Zone 9: any Altitude member
- Zone 1: CR
- Zone 2: no one (aka: red herring zone)
- Zone 3: AC Maintenance
- Zone 4: AC employees
- Zone 5: AC employee's friends and family
- Zone 6: there is no zone 3, zone 1 and 2 members are still getting settled
- Zone 7: Paid J
- Zone 8: Y and *G
- Zone 9: any Altitude member
If Zone 2 is no one, then you have to change rule for Zone 6
No zone for gate lice?
Nov 15, 2014, 9:25 am
#66
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YXU/BOS
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Posts: 939
I was on a flight (can't remember where) in the last couple of months on AC where I think it went:
1. SE &MM
2. Preboarding: those who need more time such as disability, elderly, children
3. Regular elites and J
4. I assume Economy (I had boarded by then)
Maybe this was a zoned boarding trial. I felt a little funny when they told a fellow on crutches in front of me he had wait for the next boarding call and this is probably why I remember.
1. SE &MM
2. Preboarding: those who need more time such as disability, elderly, children
3. Regular elites and J
4. I assume Economy (I had boarded by then)
Maybe this was a zoned boarding trial. I felt a little funny when they told a fellow on crutches in front of me he had wait for the next boarding call and this is probably why I remember.
Nov 15, 2014, 9:46 am
#67
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 585
Zonal boarding trials - do you know the order?
the best thing is to allow SE to board with the pilots
I'm afraid this is the only way to address our importance and stature on the flight.
I'm afraid this is the only way to address our importance and stature on the flight.
Nov 15, 2014, 9:50 am
#68
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Alternatively.....
Zonal boarding meets DYKWIA
Nov 15, 2014, 10:00 am
#69
Join Date: May 2004
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exactly. if the front line staff allow the "yes all 10 of us are wiht the grandma in the wheelchair", those pretending to not speak english, the belligerent and everyone else to board when they feel like, all of this is meaningless.
Nov 15, 2014, 10:52 am
#70
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One of my friends books a wheelchair for his mother so the whole family can board 1st, with all their multiple oversized carry-ons. She doesn't need a wheelchair any other time in her life.
Nov 15, 2014, 10:56 am
#71
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 585
One of my friends books a wheelchair for his mother so the whole family can board 1st, with all their multiple oversized carry-ons. She doesn't need a wheelchair any other time in her life.
Nov 15, 2014, 11:09 am
#72
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Nov 15, 2014, 1:06 pm
#73
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YOW
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Posts: 211
Just saw this on the Toronto Star
Air Canada adopts new boarding policy, with five zones
Wondering if anyone has experienced it yet?
[mods, please merge or delete this post if necessary]
Air Canada adopts new boarding policy, with five zones
Wondering if anyone has experienced it yet?
[mods, please merge or delete this post if necessary]
Nov 15, 2014, 1:10 pm
#74
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I just re-read this. Wow, now CC holders and E35K's board WITH *G and 75K's. *shakes head*. Andrew - will you be open to fine tuning this? Why not stick the 35K's and CC holders in Zone 3? Or even better yank priority boarding from 35K's since *S can't priority board....
Nov 15, 2014, 1:21 pm
#75
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 585
I just re-read this. Wow, now CC holders and E35K's board WITH *G and 75K's. *shakes head*. Andrew - will you be open to fine tuning this? Why not stick the 35K's and CC holders in Zone 3? Or even better yank priority boarding from 35K's since *S can't priority board....