Aug 26, 2022, 5:21 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
AC link:
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
Original thread covering 2014-2019 can be found here
Zoned Boarding (2020 onwards)
Jun 14, 2023, 2:45 pm
#706
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: HHonors Silver, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more
Posts: 565
Yes, it does but still depends on the gate and execution.
My recent flight to DEL had a Zone 1 line. However it was closed off with a stanchion and rope till a customer decided to take matters into their hands and open up the lane.
Most of the time the GAs will announce boarding by zone and announce Zone 1 but whether they turn people back or 'police' the line is another matter
My recent flight to DEL had a Zone 1 line. However it was closed off with a stanchion and rope till a customer decided to take matters into their hands and open up the lane.
Most of the time the GAs will announce boarding by zone and announce Zone 1 but whether they turn people back or 'police' the line is another matter
Here's hoping no issues for me on Friday - Zone 2
Jun 26, 2023, 6:23 am
#707
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Aeropolan Super Elite SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 281
Jun 26, 2023, 8:14 am
#708
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,428
Also seen a few flights where an announcement is made where people who voluntarily gate check their bag will board after Zone 2. If you gate check your bag, what is the benefit of boarding earlier ?
Jun 26, 2023, 8:38 am
#709
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
YUL - June 18
A bit of a s*** show at YUL Gate 25 on June 18.
AC 8003 was boarding when I arrived but no signs indicating boarding groups. So I asked? Turns out they called for Groups 1 & 2 but do not have signs? Is this normal?
For those not familar with Gate 25, its on the opposite side of the runway from the AC Lounge and quite a hike!
AC 8003 was boarding when I arrived but no signs indicating boarding groups. So I asked? Turns out they called for Groups 1 & 2 but do not have signs? Is this normal?
For those not familar with Gate 25, its on the opposite side of the runway from the AC Lounge and quite a hike!
Jun 26, 2023, 6:55 pm
#710
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
Boarded young kids before Zone 1 today for IAD-YVR.
Not that it really mattered, since our inbound arrived 22 minutes early only to be blocked at the gate by a delayed IAD-YYZ flight for three hours.
And we are (currently) delayed a further two-ish hours waiting for fuel.
So they got the understandably cranky kids on the plane a few minutes earlier than they 'should'. No biggie in the scheme of things.
Quite the excrement exhibition on the East Coast today.
Not that it really mattered, since our inbound arrived 22 minutes early only to be blocked at the gate by a delayed IAD-YYZ flight for three hours.
And we are (currently) delayed a further two-ish hours waiting for fuel.
So they got the understandably cranky kids on the plane a few minutes earlier than they 'should'. No biggie in the scheme of things.
Quite the excrement exhibition on the East Coast today.
Jun 26, 2023, 7:16 pm
#711
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,428
Boarded young kids before Zone 1 today for IAD-YVR.
Not that it really mattered, since our inbound arrived 22 minutes early only to be blocked at the gate by a delayed IAD-YYZ flight for three hours.
And we are (currently) delayed a further two-ish hours waiting for fuel.
So they got the understandably cranky kids on the plane a few minutes earlier than they 'should'. No biggie in the scheme of things.
Quite the excrement exhibition on the East Coast today.
Not that it really mattered, since our inbound arrived 22 minutes early only to be blocked at the gate by a delayed IAD-YYZ flight for three hours.
And we are (currently) delayed a further two-ish hours waiting for fuel.
So they got the understandably cranky kids on the plane a few minutes earlier than they 'should'. No biggie in the scheme of things.
Quite the excrement exhibition on the East Coast today.
Jun 30, 2023, 3:44 pm
#712
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,570
My associate was flying home Wednesday, noonish, YYZ-YHZ.
Reported the usual "will be boarding by zone number" talk, and then they segued into "now boarding Zone 5", with much annoyance to her (Z2), and especially those in Z1.
Can anyone comment? Are the GAs taking bets in the break room again?
Reported the usual "will be boarding by zone number" talk, and then they segued into "now boarding Zone 5", with much annoyance to her (Z2), and especially those in Z1.
Can anyone comment? Are the GAs taking bets in the break room again?
Jun 30, 2023, 5:49 pm
#713
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 29
My associate was flying home Wednesday, noonish, YYZ-YHZ.
Reported the usual "will be boarding by zone number" talk, and then they segued into "now boarding Zone 5", with much annoyance to her (Z2), and especially those in Z1.
Can anyone comment? Are the GAs taking bets in the break room again?
Reported the usual "will be boarding by zone number" talk, and then they segued into "now boarding Zone 5", with much annoyance to her (Z2), and especially those in Z1.
Can anyone comment? Are the GAs taking bets in the break room again?
Jul 1, 2023, 3:28 am
#715
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE 100K MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 1,082
What are the qualifications to be an AC GA? Do you first have to flunk the test to be an FA? and then the test to be a check-in agent? and then flunk the test to be a Call Centre agent? and then flunk the test to be a MLL gate keeper? and then pass a special test where you prove that you have the ability to be surly, rude and inconsiderate for no reason while having no ability to complete basic tasks and follow simple rules?
I consistently find that GA's, while admittedly. having a difficult job, provide the WORST service of anyone I deal with in the AC chain and seem to do it in a very obvious manner.
Not sure if this is the place, or if we should start another thread, but I think we should all be sharing our boarding experiences and interaction with the GA community.
I consistently find that GA's, while admittedly. having a difficult job, provide the WORST service of anyone I deal with in the AC chain and seem to do it in a very obvious manner.
Not sure if this is the place, or if we should start another thread, but I think we should all be sharing our boarding experiences and interaction with the GA community.
Jul 1, 2023, 12:13 pm
#716
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
When there's massive delays and cancellations and myriads of panicky FOTSGs, I totally understand their thin veneer of civility wearing off. But some of the less than ideal interactions I've had have been with GAs just dealing with normally pre-board and boarding activities.
Jul 2, 2023, 9:47 pm
#717
Join Date: May 2023
Location: GTA
Posts: 15
Similarly, a couple weeks back on a MSY-YYZ flight, passengers requiring assistance (including families with young kids) were allowed to board before Zone 1. By the time my family and I were ready to walk up to the gate to board, Zone 1 had started boarding, so we were walking to the back of the line, but the gate agent called us to the front to let us board, rather than having us wait, which was kind of them.
Jul 2, 2023, 10:19 pm
#718
Join Date: May 2023
Location: YUL find me in Montreal
Programs: Air Canada SE, Bonvoy Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 669
According to job postings on Air Canada's web site, they are precisely and exactly this:
In other words, there's nothing in terms of hospitality degrees or other formal education.
And I wouldn't say that "GAs are failed FAs" because they really are significantly different types of work and require different types of knowledge. I would be very surprised if the typical FA had significant knowledge of Air Canada's booking systems, and conversely, I'd be very surprised if a GA knew what was what in the galley.
Qualifications
- Must have an ability to use tact, good judgement and initiative;
- Must be capable of expressing self in a clear and pleasant manner;
- Ability to work under pressure with a minimum of supervision;
- Must wear Company uniform as prescribed and conform to Company grooming standards;
- Must be able to stand for extended period of time;
- Must, after training, be able to efficiently use the Company's automated reservations, ticketing and baggage tracing systems;
- Must be able to lift seventy (70) lbs unaided;
- Must maintain an acceptable attendance record;
- Must be able to work shift work including irregular shifts and overtime when required/directed.
- Ability to successfully obtain Airport specific badging and seals (Security clearance and USCBP clearance required)
And I wouldn't say that "GAs are failed FAs" because they really are significantly different types of work and require different types of knowledge. I would be very surprised if the typical FA had significant knowledge of Air Canada's booking systems, and conversely, I'd be very surprised if a GA knew what was what in the galley.
Jul 2, 2023, 10:22 pm
#719
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: 44,353
And I wouldn't say that "GAs are failed FAs" because they really are significantly different types of work and require different types of knowledge. I would be very surprised if the typical FA had significant knowledge of Air Canada's booking systems, and conversely, I'd be very surprised if a GA knew what was what in the galley.
Completely different jobs, different requirements, different benefits, etc.
Jul 2, 2023, 10:31 pm
#720
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,530
GA's main job is get the plane out on time as much as possible.
Of course, anyone working for a company represents that company and should be polite and courteous but by no means would I consider that job as a hospitality position.
Of course, anyone working for a company represents that company and should be polite and courteous but by no means would I consider that job as a hospitality position.