6 Ck's on my flight and CK Rep and GA made sure only they boarded
Jan 29, 2019, 6:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I assume all these CKs are in J on the JFK-LHR so there is really no reason to board early. There is plenty of overhead space. The FA's don't immediately come around with a pre-departure drink, so why all the fuss. I could see if this was domestic J on a 321.
Jan 29, 2019, 8:03 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Jan 29, 2019, 9:14 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA Gold.
Posts: 158
Jan 29, 2019, 10:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
I'd not appreciate that. I'm not CK so not something I have to worry about but if I was I'd not want to have my name announced for personal boarding for a host of reasons. As to Group 9 thinking it's their turn when they welcome CKs...well if you're that inept that you think you should board when hearing CK I don't think hearing Mr/Mrs <CK> is going to make any difference.
Jan 30, 2019, 1:26 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2010
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA ConciergeKey; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 393
I had 7 or 8 CKs on my flight from DFW to LHR last week. They all boarded first and were checked in by a CK rep at the gate with a clipboard.
There were only two first class A award space seats open on the 77W and I (a lowly EXP) got one of them (cleared only 8 hours before). No idea how that worked out unless either most of the CKs were originally in coach or they had neither a SWU or 15k miles to spare for the upgrade from biz to first. Both unlikely scenarios.
I only saw one of them in first class. I am not complaining, but it was odd (to me at least).
There were only two first class A award space seats open on the 77W and I (a lowly EXP) got one of them (cleared only 8 hours before). No idea how that worked out unless either most of the CKs were originally in coach or they had neither a SWU or 15k miles to spare for the upgrade from biz to first. Both unlikely scenarios.
I only saw one of them in first class. I am not complaining, but it was odd (to me at least).
Last edited by davecraze; Jan 30, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Jan 30, 2019, 3:52 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 326
The CK experience can be very inconsistent and largely unnecessary. However, when it is needed, it can be very valuable. Boarding first is meh... they used to call us by name until the CK level was made an official tier, then they just called the CKs as a group. Haven't been called to board by name since. If not flying premium (I know... it happens) then boarding first can be very valuable as you can take your time without worrying about the long line behind you.
The cart pickups are hit and miss. I get them sometimes and most times I don't. But I typically plan for a proper connection time so they are not necessary if all goes well. One time though, I ended up having to change the baby at the last second in the MIA flagship lounge prior to my last of the night flight to JFK. If it wasn't for that CK cart, my family and I would have definitely missed the flight as the gate was in terminal E. I did have to ask for the cart though, they didn't outright offer it to me. I appreciated it nonetheless.
Never get the Cadillac in JFK anymore. Always get it in LAX if using the Eagles Nest.
The cart pickups are hit and miss. I get them sometimes and most times I don't. But I typically plan for a proper connection time so they are not necessary if all goes well. One time though, I ended up having to change the baby at the last second in the MIA flagship lounge prior to my last of the night flight to JFK. If it wasn't for that CK cart, my family and I would have definitely missed the flight as the gate was in terminal E. I did have to ask for the cart though, they didn't outright offer it to me. I appreciated it nonetheless.
Never get the Cadillac in JFK anymore. Always get it in LAX if using the Eagles Nest.
Jan 30, 2019, 4:27 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
CK reps are always in non-uniform but formal plain clothes attire (suits) and from what I’ve seen at LGA & ORD and usually pretty consistent as I wait to board behind as a lowly EXP 
Jan 30, 2019, 4:58 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,044
LGA and ORD not in my usual rotation and I expect this may vary with location.
Jan 30, 2019, 5:51 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,348
The CK pre-boarding is often superfluous, but sometimes very nice...I've been boarded 10+ minutes before the pre-boards while waiting for a minor maintenance sign-off or for the cleaners to leave, and in such cases it's nice to get situated and start working vs standing in the gate area. In some situations, it is also nice to make sure you get your bags in a good location, especially if in the bulk head row...more and more lately I've seen FC passengers have trouble finding bag space in FC. On some occasions, they just drop you off at the plane door, but often they introduce you to the FA as a CK, and I have on many occasions had them facilitate the PDB right then. On at least 2 occasions, the FA came back with "I haven't been catered" or similar (and one time this was a lie) but the CK rep politely "observed" that surely there were some leftovers from the prior flight, and the FA got the hint. It is definitely a YMMV situation.
Jan 30, 2019, 5:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
There’s a thread on the BA forum about CK treatment for BA GGL status holders. Over the past couple of years I’ve been met by an AA CK agent about 1/4 of the time at airports where they have a CK team. It’s usually during non-peak times and seems to never happen for me at JFK.
It’s especially useful in the case of missed connnections or tight connections (transfers by car or SUV), or when flying in economy. During a missed connection at CLT I was drive from the gate to the admirals club and walked in through the back entrance.
I’d say the rate of being met at the gate in economy is higher than when flying in F, it almost feels like a form of shaming for not flying in F on that occasion.
It’s also nice when you’re in the first row and have a carryon bag. One note is that BA GGL are not listed as CK so the only way we board early is when met by an agent.
The more astute members of the CK team text me in advance to meet me, or search online for a photo of me and pick me out of the crowd (they don’t have a photo on file for BA members).
Overall it’s a nice touch when it happens but not expected, and even led to an interesting discussion at a conference recently where someone else from the conference was in the lounge and watched me get escorted from the lounge to the flight.
By comparison BA’s team has met me exactly once ever, in a surprising manner where I have no idea how they picked me out of the crowd. I had a long layover which included a round of the staff changing. It was a very high level of interaction for what amounted to an escort from the LAX TBIT lounge to the gate closest to the lounge (at most a 2 min walk).
It’s especially useful in the case of missed connnections or tight connections (transfers by car or SUV), or when flying in economy. During a missed connection at CLT I was drive from the gate to the admirals club and walked in through the back entrance.
I’d say the rate of being met at the gate in economy is higher than when flying in F, it almost feels like a form of shaming for not flying in F on that occasion.
It’s also nice when you’re in the first row and have a carryon bag. One note is that BA GGL are not listed as CK so the only way we board early is when met by an agent.
The more astute members of the CK team text me in advance to meet me, or search online for a photo of me and pick me out of the crowd (they don’t have a photo on file for BA members).
Overall it’s a nice touch when it happens but not expected, and even led to an interesting discussion at a conference recently where someone else from the conference was in the lounge and watched me get escorted from the lounge to the flight.
By comparison BA’s team has met me exactly once ever, in a surprising manner where I have no idea how they picked me out of the crowd. I had a long layover which included a round of the staff changing. It was a very high level of interaction for what amounted to an escort from the LAX TBIT lounge to the gate closest to the lounge (at most a 2 min walk).
Jan 30, 2019, 6:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
The CK pre-boarding is often superfluous, but sometimes very nice...I've been boarded 10+ minutes before the pre-boards while waiting for a minor maintenance sign-off or for the cleaners to leave, and in such cases it's nice to get situated and start working vs standing in the gate area. In some situations, it is also nice to make sure you get your bags in a good location, especially if in the bulk head row...more and more lately I've seen FC passengers have trouble finding bag space in FC. On some occasions, they just drop you off at the plane door, but often they introduce you to the FA as a CK, and I have on many occasions had them facilitate the PDB right then. On at least 2 occasions, the FA came back with "I haven't been catered" or similar (and one time this was a lie) but the CK rep politely "observed" that surely there were some leftovers from the prior flight, and the FA got the hint. It is definitely a YMMV situation.
Jan 30, 2019, 6:14 pm
#29
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
That's funny but very understandable to anyone who travels a lot and pays attention.
Jan 31, 2019, 8:51 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Gate agents call passengers names out for all sorts of reasons. They usually don't specify the reason over the PA, though, and just say "see the agent." I would assume it's the same here, and thus reasonably discrete. They probably only use the last name too.