Early Boarding for Parents with Infants - Policy or Discretionary?
Oct 31, 2018, 2:23 pm
#16
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AC's intentions for Zone Boarding
Just a data point reminder for everyone in this thread, because it's not the Zone Boarding master thread...
AC stated that Zone boarding was not meant to necessarily make the boarding process more efficient or to make it the most efficient, but rather to "enhance" the boarding experience for premium/status customers. (I'm paraphrasing, so I trust you get the gist)
AC stated that Zone boarding was not meant to necessarily make the boarding process more efficient or to make it the most efficient, but rather to "enhance" the boarding experience for premium/status customers. (I'm paraphrasing, so I trust you get the gist)
Oct 31, 2018, 2:39 pm
#17
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Just a data point reminder for everyone in this thread, because it's not the Zone Boarding master thread...
AC stated that Zone boarding was not meant to necessarily make the boarding process more efficient or to make it the most efficient, but rather to "enhance" the boarding experience for premium/status customers. (I'm paraphrasing, so I trust you get the gist)
AC stated that Zone boarding was not meant to necessarily make the boarding process more efficient or to make it the most efficient, but rather to "enhance" the boarding experience for premium/status customers. (I'm paraphrasing, so I trust you get the gist)
Oct 31, 2018, 2:46 pm
#18
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Well, I wasn't taking any sides (not saying you were necessarily either)... just putting a data point down since arguing whether a specific part of the zone boarding policy of AC is "dumb" or "great" when it was designed with the purpose of not being maximally efficient in the first place (purpose to enhance the boarding experience for premium customer), probably won't go far.
Oct 31, 2018, 2:55 pm
#19
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Well, I wasn't taking any sides (not saying you were necessarily either)... just putting a data point down since arguing whether a specific part of the zone boarding policy of AC is "dumb" or "great" when it was designed with the purpose of not being maximally efficient in the first place (purpose to enhance the boarding experience for premium customer), probably won't go far.
Oct 31, 2018, 3:41 pm
#20
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Despite being Z1, my kid and I always board last often to the chagrin of my wife and other kid who boarded with Z1 earlier.
No point being on the plane for 40+ mins trying to corral a kid in a confined space. The flight is long enough as is without adding unnecessary additional time onboard. And yes...I am one of those who book seats at the very back where the plane tapers to 2-4/3-2.
No point being on the plane for 40+ mins trying to corral a kid in a confined space. The flight is long enough as is without adding unnecessary additional time onboard. And yes...I am one of those who book seats at the very back where the plane tapers to 2-4/3-2.
Oct 31, 2018, 3:53 pm
#21
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Glad to hear that my suggestion -- coming from someone who admittedly has no kids -- may not be entirely without merit.
Oct 31, 2018, 5:46 pm
#22
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Not everyone has the advantage of the spouse boarding in zone 1 and getting everything settled so that other spouse can board at end.
as for storage it is not just about space but wanting it have it close at hand. Those without kids should have ni issue if their carry on is a row or two away.
but it is more about settling in, getting out what may be needed during a flight eg diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, little toys etc.
As one who has traveled with 3 kids under five I liked getting on first to settle everything in. Nothing worse then having crying child while have to get up and find stuff.
As fir for six year olds we are not talking about them. It is about those with young children - usually under two I believe is the cut off
as for storage it is not just about space but wanting it have it close at hand. Those without kids should have ni issue if their carry on is a row or two away.
but it is more about settling in, getting out what may be needed during a flight eg diapers, wipes, snacks, bottles, little toys etc.
As one who has traveled with 3 kids under five I liked getting on first to settle everything in. Nothing worse then having crying child while have to get up and find stuff.
As fir for six year olds we are not talking about them. It is about those with young children - usually under two I believe is the cut off
Oct 31, 2018, 5:55 pm
#23
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My sister and brother in law were denied early boarding today on a flight out of YVR on a domestic flight by the gate agent while travelling with a 7 month old and told to board with their zone.
Air Canada's web site seems to indicate early boarding for families with children 6 and under but is this an official policy and was the gate agent wrong in denying early boarding is early boarding at discretion of gate agent?
Air Canada's web site seems to indicate early boarding for families with children 6 and under but is this an official policy and was the gate agent wrong in denying early boarding is early boarding at discretion of gate agent?
If they were trying to board at Zone 0/1/2, the GA could have at least advised that they could wait shortly to board at Zone 2.5.
Oct 31, 2018, 6:15 pm
#24
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Would they be? My understanding is that only Zone 1 and 2 get their zone, or later. Otherwise, if you miss it, wait to the back of the line. That is why there are two lanes. For those who can board early and whenever, and only "now".
Oct 31, 2018, 6:37 pm
#25
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This entire discussion is an indication of just how poorly designed Air Canada IT and systems are.
AC IT knows where are all the people that should be on the flight. It also knows the age of every person on the flight.
I would assume infants have boarding passes do they not? Why not put the infant in Zone 2. The the rest of the party on the same booking can board with the infant.
It is silly that the infant and his/her party have been assigned the wrong zone.
AC IT knows where are all the people that should be on the flight. It also knows the age of every person on the flight.
I would assume infants have boarding passes do they not? Why not put the infant in Zone 2. The the rest of the party on the same booking can board with the infant.
It is silly that the infant and his/her party have been assigned the wrong zone.
Oct 31, 2018, 6:43 pm
#26
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But yes, I see what you're saying and more of then than not, a late-arriving family will most likely not realize they might have a chance of getting ahead if they walk around to the front and present to a GA. (and it's still possible they get the YMMV walk of shame despite the process being in Zone 4 at the time or whatever)
Oct 31, 2018, 7:44 pm
#27
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Again, I'm open to hearing the moral case for why people with children deserve special treatment. If someone wants to make the argument that humanity's survival depends on people having children and thus we owe a societal debt to them, I'm ready to hear the case. But I don't think it's a forgone conclusion.
I'd argue that humanity's survival depends on people having less children, as the planet is already suffering the effects of human overpopulation.
Oct 31, 2018, 8:24 pm
#28
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The special treatment is usually reserved for folks who need more time to board, whether they be elderly, disabled, or children. Same logic for the front of the bus, parking spots at the mall, etc.
I'd argue that humanity's survival depends on people having less children, as the planet is already suffering the effects of human overpopulation.
I'd argue that humanity's survival depends on people having less children, as the planet is already suffering the effects of human overpopulation.
Oct 31, 2018, 9:05 pm
#29
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The special treatment is usually reserved for folks who need more time to board, whether they be elderly, disabled, or children. Same logic for the front of the bus, parking spots at the mall, etc.
I'd argue that humanity's survival depends on people having less children, as the planet is already suffering the effects of human overpopulation.
I'd argue that humanity's survival depends on people having less children, as the planet is already suffering the effects of human overpopulation.
Everyone is entitled to opinions etc etc and I'm just being light-hearted, truly.
The annoying thing in the OPs families' case is the GA should have pointed out they could stand to the side and board before Z3. Boarding at the end of Z5 with kids and the necessary stuff would SUCK.