Stop the early boarding (D0) stupidity
Apr 8, 2019, 9:06 pm
#181
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 224
Ord/clt, I walked up with the app showing 2 mins until boarding. Screen at K6 shows group 7! Had to swim upstream for baggage upon landing. Metrics mgmt at its worst.
Was on track to arrive 20 early (on the ground) but circled due to T-storms.
Was on track to arrive 20 early (on the ground) but circled due to T-storms.
Apr 9, 2019, 6:09 am
#182
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
One additional adverse effect of this early boarding nonsense is for disabled passengers like myself who need to preboard. How are we supposed to time our arrival if we can’t rely on the posted boarding times? I try to be at the gate very early and ask when I should return, but sometimes that’s not possible so I arrive 5-10 minutes before posted boarding and get yelled at by GAs because I am late. I point out the posted boarding time once (they say that’s just a guide) and then just let it go as arguing isn’t going to get me anywhere.
Apr 9, 2019, 8:42 am
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
Well that seems like a legitimate complaint to the DOT. Perhaps a violation of ACAA, at least its spirit, no? Plus, note: "Airlines must make available specially-trained “complaints resolution officials” to respond to complaints from passengers and must also respond to written complaints. A DOT enforcement mechanism is also available."
Apr 9, 2019, 1:47 pm
#185
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 271
I think most would agree that starting the boarding process a few minutes early (eg. 2-3 mins) isn't going to hurt anyone. But starting 5-10 minutes early when there is no one to preboard and/or few priority passengers can get you to the higher boarding groups very quickly.
Apr 9, 2019, 2:19 pm
#186
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Apr 11, 2019, 9:58 am
#187
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
I think most would agree that starting the boarding process a few minutes early (eg. 2-3 mins) isn't going to hurt anyone. But starting 5-10 minutes early when there is no one to preboard and/or few priority passengers can get you to the higher boarding groups very quickly.
1) early boarding - which may ruffle feathers, disadvantage pre-boarders needing assistance, and complicate finding overhead space
2) early departure - (i.e. closing the door before all boarding passes are scanned) which will cause missed connections, missed flights, and generally pissed off customers.
These issues are tangentially related, but imho #2 is bigger and more harmful to customers.
Last edited by SouthernCross; Apr 11, 2019 at 10:10 am
Apr 12, 2019, 2:53 pm
#190
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,136
Well the shuttle is a special case and the passengers and GAs have the dance down pat. I myself showed up a few times at the last minute and there was no issue.
Apr 30, 2019, 4:17 pm
#191
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
I know this may be beating a dead horse here and I've posted about my anxiety over this issue before. Our layover has been shortened so now I am on alert even more than I normally would to make sure we get to the important flight on time.
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
Apr 30, 2019, 4:59 pm
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,972
I know this may be beating a dead horse here and I've posted about my anxiety over this issue before. Our layover has been shortened so now I am on alert even more than I normally would to make sure we get to the important flight on time.
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
Apr 30, 2019, 5:08 pm
#193
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,984
I know this may be beating a dead horse here and I've posted about my anxiety over this issue before. Our layover has been shortened so now I am on alert even more than I normally would to make sure we get to the important flight on time.
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
I'm monitoring my upcoming flight ORD-FCO (AA110) and it seems like the flight is leaving excessively early today!
Today it left 27 minutes early, what?!?
The kick in the gut is that the plane then sat for a 35 minute runway delay. Are they purposely closing the doors early because there is a runway delay in hopes that they take off closer to the originally scheduled time by getting "in line" early? Al in the name of getting wonderful "on time" scores? Seems pointless if you're potentially leaving people behind with this. And no I don't know if people were left behind but logically, boarding and then leaving that early seems like it could likely be a very real scenario!
You may want to double check, but EF shows the flight departed the gate 39 minutes late and took off 21 minutes later.
My advice would be it makes no sense worrying about what may happen. Worry about it only if it happens. In your case there are plenty of ways to get to FCO, and they will know your coming if your inbound is late.
Last edited by DataPlumber; Apr 30, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Apr 30, 2019, 6:03 pm
#194
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: PBI
Posts: 96
The weather has been $hit in Chicago today.
You may want to double check, but EF shows the flight departed the gate 39 minutes late and took off 21 minutes later.
My advice would be it makes no sense worrying about what may happen. Worry about it only if it happens. In your case there are plenty of ways to get to FCO, and they will know your coming if your inbound is late.
Part of my concern is that I am a crazy nervous flyer. I HATE flying but force myself on planes because I love to travel. Self-torture at it's finest. My fear is getting rerouted and not having a seat next to my husband and annoying the CRAP out of the unlucky soul next to me as I hyperventilate and/or freak out for nearly 9 hours
Don't mind me, I'm just the crazy lady here.
Apr 30, 2019, 6:36 pm
#195
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Where else can you find entire threads devoted to just domestic catering?