Nov 15, 2014, 2:15 pm
Air Canada introduces zoned boarding
Feb 25, 2015, 12:58 pm
#1306
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
ANA boarding = Best boarding
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
Feb 25, 2015, 1:28 pm
#1307
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Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
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ANA boarding = Best boarding
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
And this excellent post tells you all why stuff gets done there and not here.
Part of it is the system employed, part of it is the culture of the pax and the willingness to follow the process used.
We in the west tend to be self-absorbed/entitled/inward focused (yes, a sweeping generalization, so no flaming please). But think about it. Look at the chaos that is boarding North American-style, look at the insane stuff people take onboard, despite rules, fees, measuring devices.
IMHO, nothing will ever change much over here despite changing methodologies because the pax just want it their way. Watching a boarding process here looks like herding cats (exceptions being the gate lice).
Feb 25, 2015, 1:33 pm
#1308
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,692
And this excellent post tells you all why stuff gets done there and not here.
Part of it is the system employed, part of it is the culture of the pax and the willingness to follow the process used.
We in the west tend to be self-absorbed/entitled/inward focused (yes, a sweeping generalization, so no flaming please). But think about it. Look at the chaos that is boarding North American-style, look at the insane stuff people take onboard, despite rules, fees, measuring devices.
IMHO, nothing will ever change much over here despite changing methodologies because the pax just want it their way. Watching a boarding process here looks like herding cats (exceptions being the gate lice).
Part of it is the system employed, part of it is the culture of the pax and the willingness to follow the process used.
We in the west tend to be self-absorbed/entitled/inward focused (yes, a sweeping generalization, so no flaming please). But think about it. Look at the chaos that is boarding North American-style, look at the insane stuff people take onboard, despite rules, fees, measuring devices.
IMHO, nothing will ever change much over here despite changing methodologies because the pax just want it their way. Watching a boarding process here looks like herding cats (exceptions being the gate lice).
That's not an insignificant factor in the boarding efficiency.
Feb 25, 2015, 1:34 pm
#1309
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Posts: 16,837
I had the same thought when watching the episode. I think their conclusions lined up pretty well with more rigorous academic research though, didn't they?
Feb 25, 2015, 2:07 pm
#1310
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Messages were pre-recorded, and TVs were showing eligibility.
There was a GA on each side of the counter, just bowing every time a pass would flash green, or helping out if someone had trouble flashing the BP.
The third was there a bit before boarding, by herself (im assuming managing the pax list), and on boarding time she was holding your dreaded laminated sign lol.
Also, simple game theory would show that with proper order/communication, you can reach a more optimal equilibrium
Last edited by tcook052; Feb 25, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Feb 25, 2015, 2:59 pm
#1311
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Feb 25, 2015, 3:13 pm
#1312
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 1,379
ANA boarding = Best boarding
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
ANA staff probably treats AC pax like idiots because we are.
Boarding NH271 was an eye opener. People gathered around, but we'll away from the gate, and only 2-3m before boarding.
2 agents on each side of the desk, NOT checking your boarding pass, since you have to scan it and it will let you through if you are boarding during the right zone.
No one crowded the gates.
Everyone boarded during their turn.
A 777-300 "HD" (read 10-abreast, 3 rows of "first-class" 2-3-2), boarded in 15m.
Boarding started at x:10, finished at x:25, left gate at x:30.
It took longer for my E90 AC flight to board.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRtPrd7l4Tg
Feb 25, 2015, 6:39 pm
#1313
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & 2MM/Bonvoy Gold/HHonors Diamond
Posts: 4,579
I just did OLCI for my flight to FLL tomorrow with the whole gang
AE reward. Like with bags, the system doesn't know or read your status, so we all received Zone 5s
AE reward. Like with bags, the system doesn't know or read your status, so we all received Zone 5s
Feb 26, 2015, 6:02 am
#1314
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 1,673
I also did an online check in for an AE reward ticket to BNA last night and got Zone 1 but Mrs. Allbrosca who is on the same PNR got zone 3 (and SSSS!!)
Feb 26, 2015, 6:13 am
#1316
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Not sure why though? Couldn't they put in SSSS on the mobile BP? Maybe it's because it's less obvious? I dunno
Feb 26, 2015, 6:15 am
#1317
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,692
I'm pretty sure they want to keep the SSSS as a surprise. Giving someone advanced warning would probably defeat the purpose.
Feb 26, 2015, 6:16 am
#1318
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Then wouldn't the inability to OLCI give it away? It took not more than 30 seconds to figure out that I was going to be SSSS'd. Sure enough, FT was right once I got my BP at YYZ
Feb 26, 2015, 6:33 am
#1319
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,692
The others...not so much.
Feb 26, 2015, 6:48 am
#1320
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,700
The others...not so much.
Of course, one could argue that the document check can be done at the gate, but I digress.......