Groups 2 and 3 called simultaneously?
Apr 12, 2022, 9:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
I'm Group 5 because of my AA credit card. I've seen Groups 2 & 3 called within moments of each other because so few if any people step forward when 2 is called. When Group 4 is called, there's a huge flood of people. I actually asked the GA the last time I flew, what is Group 4 because there's so many people? I couldn't hear what she said so I just smiled. So what is Group 4, there's lots of you!
Apr 13, 2022, 6:02 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: STL
Programs: DL, AA, UA, WN, Hyatt, HHonors, Avis Pref+
Posts: 164
I remember 5-6 years ago flying UA they called for GS on a 50 seat RJ and then waited in silence as no one came forward and then called the next group. Did they think that calling it would make us want to achieve it? I've seen the same thing on US flights before the merger. That time it was multiple groups that had no one in them, but the agent waited after calling each one. If the group is empty, skip it. There must have been a company procedure that said each group had to be called separately.
Apr 13, 2022, 6:08 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,937
So true. I pretend not to speak English and ask "Boarding???" several times right after CK is called for my CMH departures. Small F cabin luggage space demands proper response. Certainly not helped by the monstrosity that's become Group 1 after last year's change.
I always board first...
I've noticed this issue in MIA frequently, too, where multiple groups are called at once. Especially at Gate 60.
I always board first...
I've noticed this issue in MIA frequently, too, where multiple groups are called at once. Especially at Gate 60.
Apr 13, 2022, 8:48 am
#19
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
And just a lot of Citi Exec Card members. There is a spot where people travel enough that they want some elite benefits (early boarding, elite check-in, etc) and AC access, but still don't quite do the segments/miles/dollars (or now LPs) to get gold.
That was me for a couple of years, and felt the value (even at the 450 annual fee) was definitely there for the 5-6 domestic trips I made each year.
That was me for a couple of years, and felt the value (even at the 450 annual fee) was definitely there for the 5-6 domestic trips I made each year.
Apr 13, 2022, 9:07 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
I remember 5-6 years ago flying UA they called for GS on a 50 seat RJ and then waited in silence as no one came forward and then called the next group. Did they think that calling it would make us want to achieve it? I've seen the same thing on US flights before the merger. That time it was multiple groups that had no one in them, but the agent waited after calling each one. If the group is empty, skip it. There must have been a company procedure that said each group had to be called separately.
Apr 13, 2022, 9:57 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
Apr 13, 2022, 10:09 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
Apr 13, 2022, 12:31 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Programs: My opinions are not those of AA or any affiliates of AMR Corp.
Posts: 2,096
If you listen to the Agents when they inform people of how we board with Group numbers, "If your Boarding pass does not have a Group number on it, please board with group 7".....
Apr 13, 2022, 5:00 pm
#25
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
Interesting. On the majority of my flights the upgrade list is zero (we're talking regionals, either PWM-DCA/vv or SDF-DCA/vv), so I always assumed they called groups 1-2-3-4 in rapid fire simply because 2, 3, and 4 were empty (any elites would have been upgraded because the routes are sub-500, even before the recent changes).
I haven't noticed the rapid group 1-2-3-4 thing on flights that have upgrade lists (and thus have people in groups 2-4) such as DCA-DFW, DFW-LAX, etc. But it would definitely chap me if I were in group 2 or 3 and they did that.
I also really wish they'd quit preboarding "Concierge Key" members without clarifying to everyone that "if you don't know what Concierge Key is, you're not it" -- why not simply call up the CKs individually by name (which I've seen the rare exception of a GA do), to avoid the whole nonsense in the first place. The majority of the GAs can't even pronounce Concierge Key correctly or intelligibly. If I were a CK, I would much prefer something discreet like "we now invite those who are entitled to preboard, including those who need extra time" -- with the unstated rule that CKs are indeed entitled to preboard.
I haven't noticed the rapid group 1-2-3-4 thing on flights that have upgrade lists (and thus have people in groups 2-4) such as DCA-DFW, DFW-LAX, etc. But it would definitely chap me if I were in group 2 or 3 and they did that.
I also really wish they'd quit preboarding "Concierge Key" members without clarifying to everyone that "if you don't know what Concierge Key is, you're not it" -- why not simply call up the CKs individually by name (which I've seen the rare exception of a GA do), to avoid the whole nonsense in the first place. The majority of the GAs can't even pronounce Concierge Key correctly or intelligibly. If I were a CK, I would much prefer something discreet like "we now invite those who are entitled to preboard, including those who need extra time" -- with the unstated rule that CKs are indeed entitled to preboard.
Apr 14, 2022, 6:06 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
Mind you, I never used to do this prior to the ridiculous enlargement of Group 1 last year.
Gate agents are always seemingly understanding...
Apr 14, 2022, 6:20 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 949
Interesting. On the majority of my flights the upgrade list is zero (we're talking regionals, either PWM-DCA/vv or SDF-DCA/vv), so I always assumed they called groups 1-2-3-4 in rapid fire simply because 2, 3, and 4 were empty (any elites would have been upgraded because the routes are sub-500, even before the recent changes).
I haven't noticed the rapid group 1-2-3-4 thing on flights that have upgrade lists (and thus have people in groups 2-4) such as DCA-DFW, DFW-LAX, etc. But it would definitely chap me if I were in group 2 or 3 and they did that.
I also really wish they'd quit preboarding "Concierge Key" members without clarifying to everyone that "if you don't know what Concierge Key is, you're not it" -- why not simply call up the CKs individually by name (which I've seen the rare exception of a GA do), to avoid the whole nonsense in the first place. The majority of the GAs can't even pronounce Concierge Key correctly or intelligibly. If I were a CK, I would much prefer something discreet like "we now invite those who are entitled to preboard, including those who need extra time" -- with the unstated rule that CKs are indeed entitled to preboard.
I haven't noticed the rapid group 1-2-3-4 thing on flights that have upgrade lists (and thus have people in groups 2-4) such as DCA-DFW, DFW-LAX, etc. But it would definitely chap me if I were in group 2 or 3 and they did that.
I also really wish they'd quit preboarding "Concierge Key" members without clarifying to everyone that "if you don't know what Concierge Key is, you're not it" -- why not simply call up the CKs individually by name (which I've seen the rare exception of a GA do), to avoid the whole nonsense in the first place. The majority of the GAs can't even pronounce Concierge Key correctly or intelligibly. If I were a CK, I would much prefer something discreet like "we now invite those who are entitled to preboard, including those who need extra time" -- with the unstated rule that CKs are indeed entitled to preboard.