A modest proposal to improve the boarding situation
Jul 22, 2019, 4:48 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I liked when UA had 5 lanes because it kept the gate lice corralled adequately. But UA realized it was also causing people to line up 30 minutes early. I wish there was some middle ground.
Jul 22, 2019, 5:32 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
unless there is enforcement to prohibit people who are trying to board out of order, then nothing will matter. but here's an idea i just thought of, assuming they would enforce the numbers.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.
Jul 22, 2019, 7:17 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AA Gold, HIltonHonors Diamond, KrisFlyer Silver, BW Diamond
Posts: 109
Do like almost all Asian airlines do: Everything over 7 KG MUST BE CHECKED.NO EXCEPTIONS.
The boarding process is always much QUICKER and FASTER when I travel in Asia. They will not let those roll on bags onboard! Just completed an extensive trip there and have many other trips to base my observation on. Stop the idiots from CLOGGING the boarding gate, as there is no reason to the way the boarding process works in Asia.
What takes time is people boarding then having to stow their bags. Simple.
The boarding process is always much QUICKER and FASTER when I travel in Asia. They will not let those roll on bags onboard! Just completed an extensive trip there and have many other trips to base my observation on. Stop the idiots from CLOGGING the boarding gate, as there is no reason to the way the boarding process works in Asia.
What takes time is people boarding then having to stow their bags. Simple.
Jul 23, 2019, 12:22 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
unless there is enforcement to prohibit people who are trying to board out of order, then nothing will matter. but here's an idea i just thought of, assuming they would enforce the numbers.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together. I like it.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together. I like it.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.
Jul 23, 2019, 6:23 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
As mentioned above, it makes much sense to board the rear first and work your way forward, provided that the FAs enforce putting overhead baggage by your seat (which, I know, is the ultimate problem).
No matter what method is chosen, if it isn’t enforced, it’s useless.
No matter what method is chosen, if it isn’t enforced, it’s useless.
Jul 23, 2019, 6:24 am
#53
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: Bonvoy Amb; AA EXP
Posts: 1,136
Piling on...
I think we do have to allow for a big of ignorance given that on every plane there are folks that fly once per year. Someone above said that the Delta boarding is slower. I have not experienced that to be the case and think that the orderliness of their boarding process is refreshing compared to 'boarding 1-4.'
I think we do have to allow for a big of ignorance given that on every plane there are folks that fly once per year. Someone above said that the Delta boarding is slower. I have not experienced that to be the case and think that the orderliness of their boarding process is refreshing compared to 'boarding 1-4.'
Jul 23, 2019, 6:37 am
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Piling on...
I think we do have to allow for a big of ignorance given that on every plane there are folks that fly once per year. Someone above said that the Delta boarding is slower. I have not experienced that to be the case and think that the orderliness of their boarding process is refreshing compared to 'boarding 1-4.'
I think we do have to allow for a big of ignorance given that on every plane there are folks that fly once per year. Someone above said that the Delta boarding is slower. I have not experienced that to be the case and think that the orderliness of their boarding process is refreshing compared to 'boarding 1-4.'
The problem children are those who think that because some marketing guy at a carrier dreamt up the word "elite" in connection with their flying, that they really are elite in the sense that they are special and the rules don't apply to them.
Jul 23, 2019, 7:41 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: Bonvoy Amb; AA EXP
Posts: 1,136
Those folks are the ones who listen to the announcements and obey the rules.
The problem children are those who think that because some marketing guy at a carrier dreamt up the word "elite" in connection with their flying, that they really are elite in the sense that they are special and the rules don't apply to them.
The problem children are those who think that because some marketing guy at a carrier dreamt up the word "elite" in connection with their flying, that they really are elite in the sense that they are special and the rules don't apply to them.
Jul 23, 2019, 7:56 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
I don't follow...
If you are going to get your bag checked for free -- how is being reassigned to Group 9 a penalty?
I mean if you aren't worried about overhead space (your bag has been checked already), and you have your original seat assignment, what's the downside to boarding last?
If you are going to get your bag checked for free -- how is being reassigned to Group 9 a penalty?
I mean if you aren't worried about overhead space (your bag has been checked already), and you have your original seat assignment, what's the downside to boarding last?
Jul 23, 2019, 8:17 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 606
I'm not sure what Japan Airlines does, but I was leaving a lounge 40 minutes before a JAL international flight and the attendant said, "boarding is not open yet, they open boarding 20 minutes before departure"
I didn't believe her, but she was right. Boarding open 20 minutes before departure and we pushed back 20 minutes later.It happened on both my flights.. So whatever JAL is doing they are doing it right
I didn't believe her, but she was right. Boarding open 20 minutes before departure and we pushed back 20 minutes later.It happened on both my flights.. So whatever JAL is doing they are doing it right
Jul 23, 2019, 8:43 am
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I'm not sure what Japan Airlines does, but I was leaving a lounge 40 minutes before a JAL international flight and the attendant said, "boarding is not open yet, they open boarding 20 minutes before departure"
I didn't believe her, but she was right. Boarding open 20 minutes before departure and we pushed back 20 minutes later.It happened on both my flights.. So whatever JAL is doing they are doing it right
I didn't believe her, but she was right. Boarding open 20 minutes before departure and we pushed back 20 minutes later.It happened on both my flights.. So whatever JAL is doing they are doing it right
Jul 23, 2019, 9:15 am
#59
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
That's actually brilliant! If a uniformed employee was taking surveys, not only would we hope them to try to use the results, maybe it would get people to step back.
I liked when UA had 5 lanes because it kept the gate lice corralled adequately. But UA realized it was also causing people to line up 30 minutes early. I wish there was some middle ground.
I liked when UA had 5 lanes because it kept the gate lice corralled adequately. But UA realized it was also causing people to line up 30 minutes early. I wish there was some middle ground.
Jul 23, 2019, 9:19 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
unless there is enforcement to prohibit people who are trying to board out of order, then nothing will matter. but here's an idea i just thought of, assuming they would enforce the numbers.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.
what if instead of group numbers, you had an actual boarding number (like your seat assignment).
then you could do it like when they call your turn at the deli counter. boarding passengers 1 -20
wait a few minutes, then boarding passengers 21-40
people who want to board together could request a change on the app or with a gate agent, and there'd be some surplus of boarding numbers that could be rearranged without changing the numbers for all the passengers who've been assigned already.
you have #20 and want to board with #45 , the app or GA moves you to #46 which was an unused number so #47 still boards when #47 is called.
changes are handled like the seating arrangements when people ask if the gate agents if they can be moved to be seated together.
dunno, just a random thought. like i said, without enforcement and prohibition, nothing matters.