Stop the early boarding (D0) stupidity
Mar 20, 2019, 7:09 am
#136
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
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Posts: 1,133
Mar 21, 2019, 11:21 am
#137
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Mar 21, 2019, 1:15 pm
#138
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
MIA-And go into the holding area to be told your gate is occupied. If you land early at MIA between 4-9 PM unless you're on one of the domestic 777 flights (that have specified gates) your a/c will be sent to holding and will arrive late.
Mar 21, 2019, 2:56 pm
#139
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
Turn on your phones' video recorder. Dont hold it up like you are Coppola, maybe grab a pass by the clock, the agent, etc. But leave it sitting out in your hand. That way you get the images, time, and audio context of the whole interaction. Ive started doing that when I think a situation may go sideways- not just air travel. Ive even kept it in a shirt pocket, just for audio
Mar 21, 2019, 8:56 pm
#140
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,668
Data point DFW last weekend. AE out of Terminal B. We boarded early, finished early, closed early, pushed early, and left early. Same situation on the return from a small outstation except more so.
Not saying you should agree with it. But you should expect it. If they don't see a runner, and they don't look very hard, then they close out.
Not saying you should agree with it. But you should expect it. If they don't see a runner, and they don't look very hard, then they close out.
Last edited by jayer; Mar 23, 2019 at 9:42 pm
Mar 22, 2019, 3:47 pm
#142
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
Data point DFW last weekend. AE out of Terminal B. We boarded early, finished early, closed early, pushed early, and left early. Same situation on the return from a small outstation except more so.
Not saying you should agree with it. But you should expect it. They don't see a runner, and they don't look very hard, and they close out.
Not saying you should agree with it. But you should expect it. They don't see a runner, and they don't look very hard, and they close out.
Mar 22, 2019, 6:19 pm
#143
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Surprisingly both my flight to Chicago and my flight to London both started boarding at exactly their scheduled time. I think it took about 45 minutes to fill the 788 to London.
They can tell you not to take photos of the GA and other staff but they can't tell you to not take pictures of the gate as that's airport and not AA property. One the plane is another story.
They can tell you not to take photos of the GA and other staff but they can't tell you to not take pictures of the gate as that's airport and not AA property. One the plane is another story.
Mar 23, 2019, 1:10 am
#144
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA LTP 2MM, Marriott/SPG Rabid Plat w/Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 696
Personally I like to be at the gate well in advance of the boarding time.
No comfy lounge seat makes up for the stress of worrying about missing my flight.
And, yes, they do board and depart early. Yay. I'd rather get to my destination a bit early than wait for some lounge lizard to saunter in at the last minute.
No comfy lounge seat makes up for the stress of worrying about missing my flight.
And, yes, they do board and depart early. Yay. I'd rather get to my destination a bit early than wait for some lounge lizard to saunter in at the last minute.
Mar 23, 2019, 4:50 am
#145
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Opposite View
I really appreciate early boarding. I get very angry with people turning up at last minute meaning we push back late. I would go so far as to invalidate the tickets of people who check luggage and then do not show up. At busy airports where there are likely lines for the runway(s) and congestion in the alley and around gates, my idea of an excellent flight is pushing back 5 minutes early. This is much better than the old AA practice of getting everyone to the gate and then sit there or stand for 20 minutes whilst the gate staff busily used their terminals and flight attendants and flight deck roll up late due to traffic on the 405. Earlier the better. An email will do, you do not need to call me. Good job American.
Mar 23, 2019, 7:48 am
#146
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
keep in mind it's not always their fault as they most likely could be coming in on a connecting flight that was delayed.
Mar 23, 2019, 1:37 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 591
Mar 23, 2019, 3:28 pm
#148
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
Evil D0 at ORD. Arrived at gate one minute after posted boarding start and they’re on group 5.
I’m seated in first and don’t have any carry-ons, so it doesn’t really matter, but it is nice to board first when the jetway isn’t crowded. A first-world problem for sure.
I’m seated in first and don’t have any carry-ons, so it doesn’t really matter, but it is nice to board first when the jetway isn’t crowded. A first-world problem for sure.
Mar 23, 2019, 4:41 pm
#149
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: AA EXP / 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold
Posts: 198
Was flying RDU-JFK this afternoon. 3:14pm departure. I left the Admirals Club and headed to the gate (short walk) at about 2:40pm. I was about 2 gates away when I heard "All passengers for AA flight 6617 to JFK, please head to gate C16 for final boarding." I arrived at the gate around 32 minutes to departure, the boarding area was completely empty! I joked with the gate agent that "Wow, you guys sure boarded early today" and got a "hmph, yeah" in reply.
I subsequently boarded, and maybe 5 or 6 people boarded after me within the next 5 minutes or so, and with the same bewildered expression, then they closed the door.
This was an ERJ-140, I was in 4A, and nowhere nearby for my backpack by the time I boarded, so under the seat it went.
Flight departed about 10 minutes early.
I subsequently boarded, and maybe 5 or 6 people boarded after me within the next 5 minutes or so, and with the same bewildered expression, then they closed the door.
This was an ERJ-140, I was in 4A, and nowhere nearby for my backpack by the time I boarded, so under the seat it went.
Flight departed about 10 minutes early.