Stop the early boarding (D0) stupidity
Apr 2, 2019, 1:01 pm
#166
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
It's fascinating to me how much that extra 5 or 10 minutes means to people. I've been a member of the AC (and its preceding brands) for over 25 years now, and spending an extra 5 minutes in there isn't a priority to me. I'd rather be at the gate 40 minutes before departure just to make sure I'm in place and ready to board as needed, because flying is NEVER (in any country, on any airline) a down-to-the-second exact science that always fires of predictably without failure ever. I get it that AA is less reliable on average than others, and that's a fair ding, but travel on all airlines has taught me the habit to be present and ready.
Apr 2, 2019, 1:04 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 152
It's fascinating to me how much that extra 5 or 10 minutes means to people. I've been a member of the AC (and its preceding brands) for over 25 years now, and spending an extra 5 minutes in there isn't a priority to me. I'd rather be at the gate 40 minutes before departure just to make sure I'm in place and ready to board as needed, because flying is NEVER (in any country, on any airline) a down-to-the-second exact science that always fires of predictably without failure ever. I get it that AA is less reliable on average than others, and that's a fair ding, but travel on all airlines has taught me the habit to be present and ready.
Apr 2, 2019, 2:09 pm
#168
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,848
The extra 5-10 minutes allowed for boarding and closing according to the stated time and not at 5-10 minutes early easily means hours trying to connect to the next flight (even a full day). Doesn't matter if someone is spending 5 minutes in the AC longer, has a tight connection, or ends up finding that airlink was shut-down making a planned 10 minute Terminal hop into a 35 minute slog -- AA should keep on schedule.
Apr 2, 2019, 2:36 pm
#169
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
No, no its not at all like CPR. Its boarding a freaking airplane, if one finds that process is too difficult or stressful then they should seek alternate means of employment. This is hard nor is it subjective, the timelines and cutoffs are well documented so its not unrealistic for customers to expect these "professionals" to be capable of understanding and adhering to them.
https://www.businessinsider.com/what...avelers-2017-5
Apr 2, 2019, 9:54 pm
#170
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Time spent at the gate waiting to board is far more likely to be dead time. There are many ways I'd rather spend 26 hours a year instead of waiting at a gate. Whether it's one more email, one more play of the ball game, or one more vodka soda -- any of those beats one more round of waiting too long at the gate.
Apr 2, 2019, 10:06 pm
#171
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Well this link, #3 , won't change your mind, but all you have to do is observe what is going on, and have a little empathy, and you might get it. I do not have much empathy for grumpy GAs, but given the wide range of human responses, I do think GAs are often under stress. And FYI, CPR does not stress me out, but it does a lot of people.
https://www.businessinsider.com/what...avelers-2017-5
https://www.businessinsider.com/what...avelers-2017-5
Apr 7, 2019, 5:15 pm
#172
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
We have another thread on this topic, in which the OP is a true FT hero!
Strange denial of boarding on MAN-PHL
My thoughts:
1. If T-10 is the official rule, do not close the doors before T-10
2. Charging people to check a single bag is a silly practice; when flying within the US, I often need to gate check my bag (for free); this slows down boarding
3. I wouldn't mind if T-10 was changed to T-20, or even T-30, but make it official
-T-30 would surely result in lost business on routes like LGA-BOS, but most of us could deal with it
Strange denial of boarding on MAN-PHL
My thoughts:
1. If T-10 is the official rule, do not close the doors before T-10
2. Charging people to check a single bag is a silly practice; when flying within the US, I often need to gate check my bag (for free); this slows down boarding
3. I wouldn't mind if T-10 was changed to T-20, or even T-30, but make it official
-T-30 would surely result in lost business on routes like LGA-BOS, but most of us could deal with it
Apr 7, 2019, 9:37 pm
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
FWIW, Delta has more lenient check-in and "be-at-gate" times for its Shuttle routes than other flights. T-5m for shutting the door, in fact, and T-30 for checked bags (vs. AA at 45m).
As good of a reason as any to prefer DL on these routes!
As good of a reason as any to prefer DL on these routes!
Apr 7, 2019, 9:41 pm
#174
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
FWIW, Delta has more lenient check-in and "be-at-gate" times for its Shuttle routes than other flights. T-5m for shutting the door, in fact, and T-30 for checked bags (vs. AA at 45m).
As good of a reason as any to prefer DL on these routes!
As good of a reason as any to prefer DL on these routes!
Apr 8, 2019, 10:24 am
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
Apr 8, 2019, 11:42 am
#176
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Another early boarding CLT-MCI last night. Arrived at gate at T-35 and the gate agent was calling Group Six as I walked up.
A rowdy passenger boarded after me and caused a loud ruckus throughout the flight. The FA cut him off after three whiskey-and-cokes. Otherwise, an uneventful flight.
A rowdy passenger boarded after me and caused a loud ruckus throughout the flight. The FA cut him off after three whiskey-and-cokes. Otherwise, an uneventful flight.
Apr 8, 2019, 12:07 pm
#177
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
5 minute early boarding today and early pushback. Early to LAX and gate was occupied. 15 min or so waiting.
Apr 8, 2019, 12:23 pm
#178
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 152
Where do you see that? I couldn't find it on AA.com; there was no exception noted on the main check-in info page.
Apr 8, 2019, 5:43 pm
#180
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96