Preboards and priority access - first class last??
Nov 15, 2013, 9:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
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Preboards and priority access - first class last??
I was recently on an AA MIA-MGA flight where the GA apologized boarding would be delayed as she had "over 30 preboards". I literally saw over 15 wheelchairs with family members board and on arrival at MGA wheelchairs were lined up starting from the plane door, up the jetway, and out the access door. After the preboard I was probably number 20 in the priority access line for a first class fare. Never seen it quite this bad before - perhaps there was an orthopedic special in Miami that week.
I don't have a problem with all this if they would save the overhead storage space for first class passengers only and not people tossing bags where they want (or those boarding with excess bags).
I don't have a problem with all this if they would save the overhead storage space for first class passengers only and not people tossing bags where they want (or those boarding with excess bags).
Nov 15, 2013, 9:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I was recently on an AA MIA-MGA flight where the GA apologized boarding would be delayed as she had "over 30 preboards". I literally saw over 15 wheelchairs with family members board and on arrival at MGA wheelchairs were lined up starting from the plane door, up the jetway, and out the access door. After the preboard I was probably number 20 in the priority access line for a first class fare. Never seen it quite this bad before - perhaps there was an orthopedic special in Miami that week.
I don't have a problem with all this if they would save the overhead storage space for first class passengers only and not people tossing bags where they want (or those boarding with excess bags).
I don't have a problem with all this if they would save the overhead storage space for first class passengers only and not people tossing bags where they want (or those boarding with excess bags).
Nov 15, 2013, 10:11 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I have no problem with pre-boards being first - that's pretty much the definition (as long as the rules are appropriate and enforced - no "I stubbed my toe, I need to board early).
Why were you 20th in line? Because you were in F, prioritized behind others, or just because you were late in line?
As for overheads - yes, Y pax should have their bags tossed when put in the front bins (and most of my flights are in Y).
Why were you 20th in line? Because you were in F, prioritized behind others, or just because you were late in line?
As for overheads - yes, Y pax should have their bags tossed when put in the front bins (and most of my flights are in Y).
Nov 15, 2013, 10:44 pm
#4
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I have no problem with pre-boards being first - that's pretty much the definition (as long as the rules are appropriate and enforced - no "I stubbed my toe, I need to board early).
Why were you 20th in line? Because you were in F, prioritized behind others, or just because you were late in line?
As for overheads - yes, Y pax should have their bags tossed when put in the front bins (and most of my flights are in Y).
Why were you 20th in line? Because you were in F, prioritized behind others, or just because you were late in line?
As for overheads - yes, Y pax should have their bags tossed when put in the front bins (and most of my flights are in Y).
What I would like, and I have only seen this once, is for the FAs to make an arrival announcement asking all the passengers who preboarded because they needed the extra time to wait until everybody else has left the plane before they begin to exit. There is nothing like being stuck in the back of coach behind people who needed the aisle chair to get back to their seat, but figure that they have been miraculously healed inflight.
Nov 16, 2013, 2:06 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
Maybe premium pax first?
Easyjet, a European low-cost carrier, has a scheme whereby you can pay (either annually or per ticket) for priority boarding (and priority checkin, selection of any seat including premium, etc). Their boarding order is paid priority followed by unpaid priority (small kids, pregnant, mobility problems, etc) followed by the rest.
I can get on board with that.
No other carrier I have flown has done this, however.
I can get on board with that.
No other carrier I have flown has done this, however.
Nov 16, 2013, 4:01 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 370
I was on a BA flight LAX-LHR last year where they did this. Made two announcements that, "We will begin by boarding our first and business class cabins, followed by anyone who needs special assistance, including families. If you require special assistance, please remain seated until all first and business class passengers have boarded."
Really how it should be, IMHO.
Really how it should be, IMHO.
Nov 16, 2013, 8:02 am
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Austin TX
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My proposal:
If you used a wheelchair to get on and you bypassed the wheelchair getting off $50 will be charged to your credit card.
This will reduce wheelchair usage by over 50%
If you used a wheelchair to get on and you bypassed the wheelchair getting off $50 will be charged to your credit card.
This will reduce wheelchair usage by over 50%
Nov 16, 2013, 9:22 am
#8
Formerly known as UATexasFlyer
Join Date: Nov 2012
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I'd make it $100, and $500 if you used a wheel chair and expect to sit in an exit row. (I've seen these scammers get busted by a gate agent many times only to be reseated in the back in a middle seat.)
Nov 16, 2013, 9:28 am
#9
Suspended
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I could care less. I want to be the last person to board who has OH space for my compliant carry-on. If I could judge that with precision, I would.
Yes, I believe that the OH space above F/J seats should be held for F/J pax, but that's a made-up rule and not part of any known AA policy. It should be published and enforced: announced at the gate with non F/J bags off-loaded and treated as abandoned.
Yes, I believe that the OH space above F/J seats should be held for F/J pax, but that's a made-up rule and not part of any known AA policy. It should be published and enforced: announced at the gate with non F/J bags off-loaded and treated as abandoned.
Nov 16, 2013, 9:38 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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What in the world is "late in line" for someone with an F boarding pass? One of the big benefits of F is not having to wait in a boarding line. Too bad there are so many gate lice to ruin that experience.
Nov 16, 2013, 9:43 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
When the plane starts boarding, there is a line. Sometimes, it can take a while for F to board, and yes, the gate lice make it all the more difficult to tell who is in line and who isn't.
Nov 16, 2013, 10:05 am
#12
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Once they start boarding F, EXP, PLT, GLD and the other groups that use the Priority AAcess line, there is a line, gate lice or not.
Nov 16, 2013, 11:03 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
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Easyjet, a European low-cost carrier, has a scheme whereby you can pay (either annually or per ticket) for priority boarding (and priority checkin, selection of any seat including premium, etc). Their boarding order is paid priority followed by unpaid priority (small kids, pregnant, mobility problems, etc) followed by the rest.
I can get on board with that.
No other carrier I have flown has done this, however.
I can get on board with that.
No other carrier I have flown has done this, however.
US Air- priority board fee. Priority seat fee.
To the OPs issue- I have a problem with gate lice who pack the priority line prior to announcement, and whe the GA announces First, all of them board. And I have a problem with GAs who dont board F first THEN others, and with GAs who allow people to board prior to their announced group. As with children, you make rules and enforce them- thats how they learn how to behave....
Nov 16, 2013, 11:17 am
#14
Suspended
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I have no problem with pre boards, most of the time they are in Y anyway. In fact, they are my cue to start pushing through the gate lice to the boarding ropes. Group 6 most certainly mean one is seated in F.
Nov 16, 2013, 11:27 am
#15
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I could care less. I want to be the last person to board who has OH space for my compliant carry-on. If I could judge that with precision, I would.
Yes, I believe that the OH space above F/J seats should be held for F/J pax, but that's a made-up rule and not part of any known AA policy. It should be published and enforced: announced at the gate with non F/J bags off-loaded and treated as abandoned.
Yes, I believe that the OH space above F/J seats should be held for F/J pax, but that's a made-up rule and not part of any known AA policy. It should be published and enforced: announced at the gate with non F/J bags off-loaded and treated as abandoned.
Chances of AA implementing this: zero.