New boarding procedures making a big difference
 

As a PHX based flyer I fly on alot of 321 / 321neo's and I didn't think FC in its own group or the 5 extra minutes for boarding would make a difference. Boy was I wrong, getting all of FC boarding as a group and AAs focus on PDBs has drastically improved the PDB experience and frequency. Also, before they were scrambling on full flights to get boarding completed by D0, this has also been improved as well.

Looks like AA got something right!

I too am enjoying the new boarding procedures.

Aren't FA new getting boarding pay? If so, that is probably a big factor too.

Agreed for the most part that the changes have been mostly positive.

i am near 100 percent for PDBs now in first after the new procedures.

however, they do forget to call CK as a separate preboard subgroup about 25-30 percent of the time.

I like the new procedures, but an possible unintended consequence is connecting passenger stress with the 40 minute boarding time. I was on an ERJ - 145 flight that arrived 15 minutes early and we were waiting for the valet bags and one of the passengers was yelling at the ground crew to get her bag first because her flight started boarding in 15 minutes.

Love the new procedure.

One thing that hasn't changed: When my upgrade has not cleared, I am always seated near the front of the Y section, and typically am among the first to board when Group 1 is called, I do this primarily to ensure I have adequate overhead space for my carryon (I don't want to have to walk backwards after we land), but I get the added benefit of watching how many of our fellow passengers are inconsiderate during the boarding process, either because they stow their carryons in a way that takes up the most space possible in the overheads as opposed to the least space, or because they don't get the concept of stepping out of the aisle to allow others to pass. On Friday, I boarded a completely full 737 DFW-MSY, and got to watch as three passengers who boarded just after me blocked all other passengers from boarding while they stood in the aisle and discussed which of their three seats each of them should take -- who wanted the aisle, who should sit next to whom, etc. It almost caused me to rethink my very firm belief in gun control.

Its turned out much better than I anticipated. A much better flow to boarding than having a large FC + EXP in Group 1.

Even when I am not upgraded and have to wait for Group 1, overhead bin space near my seat has not been a problem.

Except when the gate agent forgets the new process and calls Group 1 (for FC +).

I've yet to experience any agent forgetting. I'm sure it happens, but I fly a lot and have yet to see it.

They shouldn't have to be bribed to do their job properly.

I had a pivot to UA for international travel (Singapore air) to get gold *A, but the UA boarding process is a non-starter. I hate it, even when in first. We flew some Delta in the past few months with no status, and they were pretty good. Our last flight with AA was eye opening. This process is so much better, that I am going back, a little to AA. Lifetime Plat pro does not hurt. I can say that my emerald status did get inherited with my 5 other family members AUS to PHX. That was also a very nice addition. I hope that stays. Looking at Oneworld trips to JNB soon, All J, for the 6 of us. Lucky Oneworld. I start my RMDs in January.

Clearly. They should not have to be paid to do their job. I don't get paid to do mine. Do you?!?!

JFK-LHR flight last week. The boarding pass stated BC, the signage Groups 1-4, and the gate agent group 1.

A new one today on AA 4446 MSY-DCA. After boarding F, the GA boarded families with infants before boarding Group 1. And the agent allowed passengers to interpret “infant” very broadly as basically up to age 5.

Innocent question… Can gate agents see if there are any CK’s on the flight? If not, then they don’t have to call for them? I was just wondering if the software allowed this. **Both of my flights this week they called CK and almost immediately FC. There weren’t any CK’s to board.