The Gate Lice are coming... the GATE LICE are coming
Mar 8, 2017, 5:53 pm
#1696
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
I went back to the posts at the beginning of 2016 and didn't see this mentioned... I think that GA's are one of the main causes of Gate Lice.
15-20 minutes before boarding, the GA's start announcing that "this is a very full flight, and I need volunteers to check their luggage to avoid slowing down the boarding process".
While the intent of the announcement is laudable, the result is that 5 or 6 kind souls will voluntarily gate check, and 30 or 40 GL will start to crowd the boarding area bc the only thing that registered in their brains were the words "full flight" which triggers their herd mentality.
15-20 minutes before boarding, the GA's start announcing that "this is a very full flight, and I need volunteers to check their luggage to avoid slowing down the boarding process".
While the intent of the announcement is laudable, the result is that 5 or 6 kind souls will voluntarily gate check, and 30 or 40 GL will start to crowd the boarding area bc the only thing that registered in their brains were the words "full flight" which triggers their herd mentality.
Mar 8, 2017, 9:26 pm
#1697
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Nicely done, Widgets. ^ Until DL figures out the "next-gen" boarding process (and probably beyond), GA soft/social skills are the single biggest influence over crowd psychology in the gatehouse.
Mar 8, 2017, 11:56 pm
#1698
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
My favorite lines are "no matter how soon you board, I guarantee you everyone's going to arrive at exactly the same time" and "I promise you the seats you're in right now are more comfortable and spacious than the ones you're about to buckle into."
Mar 16, 2017, 11:02 am
#1699
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
DCA-ATL yesterday... boarding with SKY (I am normally #teamboardlast, but I have my kids with me, they have their rollaboards)... as we approach the podium, the GA calls for zone 1 and like 4 or 5 people who were standing to the side of the line in front of the gate desk rush in front of me. A woman literally elbowed her way between me and my wife (it was obvious we were together, as we were talking the whole time). She didn't even have any bags.
Mar 17, 2017, 7:15 am
#1700
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 335
We had to pre board this week (first time ever) as my husband injured his wrist and hand and I need to put his backpack up and his seat belt on him, even open his bottle of water/help dress him ect because he can't do it himself. So I wanted a little extra time to settle both of us in.
As we fought our way through to pre board , we're row 1, heard someone crowding the gate loudly say, "Really? You don't look elderly or disabled".
Me to guy: Bite me, Dude. If you weren't crowding the gate, this would go faster.
I'm not winning friends this week.
As we fought our way through to pre board , we're row 1, heard someone crowding the gate loudly say, "Really? You don't look elderly or disabled".
Me to guy: Bite me, Dude. If you weren't crowding the gate, this would go faster.
I'm not winning friends this week.
Apr 30, 2017, 7:32 am
#1701
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: delta dm
Posts: 1,677
I dont remember what the other thread is called to post this but now all gates concourse b atl have the boardong zone posts. I wonder if delta is going to move to this everywhere.
Apr 30, 2017, 11:51 am
#1702
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
Unfortunately, it's all about overhead bin space.
Apr 30, 2017, 12:16 pm
#1703
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
We had to pre board this week (first time ever) as my husband injured his wrist and hand and I need to put his backpack up and his seat belt on him, even open his bottle of water/help dress him ect because he can't do it himself. So I wanted a little extra time to settle both of us in.
As we fought our way through to pre board , we're row 1, heard someone crowding the gate loudly say, "Really? You don't look elderly or disabled".
Me to guy: Bite me, Dude. If you weren't crowding the gate, this would go faster.
I'm not winning friends this week.
As we fought our way through to pre board , we're row 1, heard someone crowding the gate loudly say, "Really? You don't look elderly or disabled".
Me to guy: Bite me, Dude. If you weren't crowding the gate, this would go faster.
I'm not winning friends this week.
For the next six months I pre-boarded and suffered the reactions of gate lice and crew alike. Once on board I was able to explain my condition to the crew (and show them photos of my X-rays). Every Delta employee was understanding and helpful. Only one FA refused to help me, and that was on a Southwest flight.
Since then I never question a passenger's need/desire to board early. Don't judge the book by its cover.
Apr 30, 2017, 12:21 pm
#1704
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,386
I never question preboarders. I question preboarders who hobble on, but somehow disembark like a middle linebacker on a blitz.
Apr 30, 2017, 12:50 pm
#1705
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Programs: DL,Marriott,Hilton, Avis, SPG
Posts: 87
A couple of years ago we were on a flight from ATL-DUB that had a group of Urologists from Alabama. I think every single one of them limped and shuffled onto the plane and then beat everyone else to Immigration.
Apr 30, 2017, 5:48 pm
#1707
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,536
Four years ago I took a fall and broke my left wrist and right elbow. After not-quite three months of aggressive PT my physician cleared me to fly "solo." I was still not able to drive and had a lifting restriction of 10 pounds. And, like your spouse, I was unable to open a water bottle.
For the next six months I pre-boarded and suffered the reactions of gate lice and crew alike. Once on board I was able to explain my condition to the crew (and show them photos of my X-rays). Every Delta employee was understanding and helpful. Only one FA refused to help me, and that was on a Southwest flight.
Since then I never question a passenger's need/desire to board early. Don't judge the book by its cover.
For the next six months I pre-boarded and suffered the reactions of gate lice and crew alike. Once on board I was able to explain my condition to the crew (and show them photos of my X-rays). Every Delta employee was understanding and helpful. Only one FA refused to help me, and that was on a Southwest flight.
Since then I never question a passenger's need/desire to board early. Don't judge the book by its cover.
Apr 30, 2017, 6:16 pm
#1708
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL DM; Hyatt Globalist; etc
Posts: 540
Flew DL45 today (DUB-JFK) and I was really impressed at how persistent, firm and polite the GAs were in DUB. They clearly announced every zone, held up and walked around with paddles indicating the current zone, and made sure that nobody was able to even get close to scanning their BP unless they were boarding for the right zone.
JFK-DUB was much closer to the opposite (though not the worst DL flight by far) where half of the flight was just standing around and blocking the gate (and I am a lowly GM, the PREM passengers had to deal with even more).
I'm sure they're more on point because there are only two daily DUB departures on DL, but it made me wish the GAs in JFK and LGA were as energetic and pleasant to deal with.
JFK-DUB was much closer to the opposite (though not the worst DL flight by far) where half of the flight was just standing around and blocking the gate (and I am a lowly GM, the PREM passengers had to deal with even more).
I'm sure they're more on point because there are only two daily DUB departures on DL, but it made me wish the GAs in JFK and LGA were as energetic and pleasant to deal with.
Apr 30, 2017, 8:05 pm
#1709
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LIT
Programs: Blinged Out
Posts: 715
Flew DL45 today (DUB-JFK) and I was really impressed at how persistent, firm and polite the GAs were in DUB. They clearly announced every zone, held up and walked around with paddles indicating the current zone, and made sure that nobody was able to even get close to scanning their BP unless they were boarding for the right zone.
JFK-DUB was much closer to the opposite (though not the worst DL flight by far) where half of the flight was just standing around and blocking the gate (and I am a lowly GM, the PREM passengers had to deal with even more).
I'm sure they're more on point because there are only two daily DUB departures on DL, but it made me wish the GAs in JFK and LGA were as energetic and pleasant to deal with.
JFK-DUB was much closer to the opposite (though not the worst DL flight by far) where half of the flight was just standing around and blocking the gate (and I am a lowly GM, the PREM passengers had to deal with even more).
I'm sure they're more on point because there are only two daily DUB departures on DL, but it made me wish the GAs in JFK and LGA were as energetic and pleasant to deal with.
May 1, 2017, 6:56 am
#1710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
But as I search through my email, I can't find it. I distinctly remember reading it and thinking "Oh, I guess they're moving past the trial period."
