Has elite access work at ewr? what are the pros and cons

Pros

• Allows elite passengers or passengers that purchase a Y fare to board at their leisure at any time during the boarding process

Cons

• It seems that just about everyone that travels through EWR has elite status. Even the rare few that don't still seem to walk across the carpet and board at their leisure. Boarding and leisure are two words seldom used in the same sentence when speaking of EWR.

Actually, this past Monday at EWR, and Thursday at LAX they were checking for Elite status and refusing early boarding to people without. I'd never seen this before... actually got overhead space at my seat!

True, I do find that they check for status, but that still does not prevent the action of people funneling between the ropes only to get turned around. That just further slows down the process.

I don't blame Continental for this because they clearly state that pre-boarding is for passengers in first or for those with Elite Access on their boarding pass. The problem is that people just don't listen and head for the carpet enmasse.

EA works well in Dallas -- in hub cities - you still have to queue up early - or hover around the carpet to get on and get space.

I find EA works fine at EWR and everywhere else. The only problems are when the ENTIRE flight is EA and they switch to boarding only by rows (I've had this on the 7am flight EWR-SFO) and when you arrive after the other EA folks and the regular folks get mad when they think you cut the line.

Don't forget the (almost) always shorter elite access line at security.

SunLover

Ihave had a few instances were elite access boarding was by elite level!! that has worked out well (can you guess what elite level I am?) but there are many times at IAH where so many elites are on a flight that you can't get overhead space without hanging out at the edge of the carpet ;(

See generally Elite Access - what's working, what's not.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355666

Moderator, could this thread be locked or merged into the earlier referenced thread on this topic?

Maybe its the luck of the draw I have, but I've yet to be on an EWR originating flight where EA was used at the gate properly. Considering I've already requalified for Platinum for next year, that must be saying something that more times than not it just isn't working at EWR.

As an example, on a recent EWR-JAX flight, they went straight from pre-boarding for wheelchairs to the last row in coach. No first class call. No Elite Access call.

After I wrestled my way to the gate area to board, I asked the agent why there wasn't a 1st class boarding call ...or even an Elite Access call. She said "well, you're the only one in first class and you're the only Elite on board, so I figure no one would care." (And somehow the 6-seat 1st class cabin did leave full after all.)

The lack of EA consistency almost wants me to start a thread here, publishing names of Gate Agents that do not board properly.

I wouldn't use names but a running poll of flight info and gate number would serve the purpose

The pros are hookers and the cons are the prisoners in handcuffs (usually sit in the rear seats in Y).

MisterNice

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weatherboy

The lack of EA consistency almost wants me to start a thread here, publishing names of Gate Agents that do not board properly.

I say do that. Why devalue a published "perk" elites have earned??

I've emailed the folks in Houston on this subject, (with dates, times, flights , gate agent names and occasionally pictures of gate agents who did one big general boarding) after several bad boarding experiences (where there were no delays, no special needs passengers or delays) and I have received responses telling me saying it should be, special needs, first (with on opportunity to settle in and receive drinks), elite/elite acces then general boarding on all flights. The ERJ flights, should board Elite/elite access then General Boarding. And that they would follow up with the locations that are non-compliant.

"elite access" what?

oh.

I am surprized at these responses. I have had great experience with elite access at EWR (my homebase). I don't wait foe any announcement I usually get to the gate when boarding is on the way. Come in from the side and they will stop the line and let you in. They also always allowed my wife to go with me though she was not elite untill recently. As far as security, I find it only cuts a couple of minutes as the side line for elite/first class is really slow.