The Gate Lice are coming... the GATE LICE are coming
#1351
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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In the latest MD and 717 flights I've taken, there have been a couple of announcements on the bin size difference between sides.
The problem, I think, is not really that, but absolutely everyone wanting to bring a bag onboard, and most people wanting to put it in the overhead bin. Heh, one does what one can.
The problem, I think, is not really that, but absolutely everyone wanting to bring a bag onboard, and most people wanting to put it in the overhead bin. Heh, one does what one can.
Personally, I've sized down to an 18" that fits in wheels first on any mainline jet.
#1352
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
#1353
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
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Posts: 10,745
If you have no structure, of course people are just going to go all over the place. Put in a couple Tensabarriers and everyone falls into line.
#1354
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
What's truly tacky is 140+ people standing so deep into the terminal that it creates a giant log jam at places like ATL.
DL owes us the human dignity of not having to say excuse me a dozen times to the gate lice as we try to make our way up to the boarding door.
#1355
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
maybe they could create brightly colored boarding passes so its clear from a distance which group a person is in. Also makes it easier to pass people, as you know they are not in line to join with sky, just waiting as a z1/23.
#1356
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
But your description makes it clear you haven't flown WN for decades, so don't know that their boarding process works better than any of the other airlines wrt boarding in a calm, civilized manner. Not really fair to denigrate them when you're not familiar with their process.
#1357
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
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#1358
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
#1359
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: DL PM MM, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,097
Because choosing a travel partner isnt based only by boarding process... Kind of a silly question. That's a minor part of my decision making process. Just think, if Delta could improve their boarding process to the level of WN, they'd be an even better airline... And since you asked, I have been flying WN much more often. I find their schedule to certain cities to be much better and no CRJs, while flying me for hundreds less than Delta. Other times I find that paying more and flying a CRJ-700 on a non-stop is better than a connection on WN. I might even make A-List by end of year!
#1360
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Anywhere with mountains
Programs: DL PM, Hertz 5*, SPG
Posts: 328
I agree that the charge to check bags has created this problem. Medallions not checking bags is not the problem. It is the no status pax who are not in a hurry and used to check bags, but now don't in order to save money. If these people were allowed to check for free, then overhead space would not run short, and this mad dash would not happen.
That is the real difference between DL and WN. Boarding processes aside, even if you are the last person to board on WN, you can almost always still get your bag in the OH bin, because many pax take advantage of the free checked bags.
I still choose DL for the reasons MSPEconomist states, but it does seem that this problem really did come from the $ for checking bags
That is the real difference between DL and WN. Boarding processes aside, even if you are the last person to board on WN, you can almost always still get your bag in the OH bin, because many pax take advantage of the free checked bags.
I still choose DL for the reasons MSPEconomist states, but it does seem that this problem really did come from the $ for checking bags
#1361
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
I agree that the charge to check bags has created this problem. Medallions not checking bags is not the problem. It is the no status pax who are not in a hurry and used to check bags, but now don't in order to save money. If these people were allowed to check for free, then overhead space would not run short, and this mad dash would not happen.
That is the real difference between DL and WN. Boarding processes aside, even if you are the last person to board on WN, you can almost always still get your bag in the OH bin, because many pax take advantage of the free checked bags.
I still choose DL for the reasons MSPEconomist states, but it does seem that this problem really did come from the $ for checking bags
That is the real difference between DL and WN. Boarding processes aside, even if you are the last person to board on WN, you can almost always still get your bag in the OH bin, because many pax take advantage of the free checked bags.
I still choose DL for the reasons MSPEconomist states, but it does seem that this problem really did come from the $ for checking bags
$25 for DM
$30 for PM
$35 for GM
$40 for FO
$50 for Kettle
all problems solved.
Last edited by Ysitincoach; Oct 22, 2014 at 7:21 pm
#1362
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Given a choice between WN and DL, where I have no status and get stuck in group 4+ for my aisle seat, I'd choose WN. I choose WN anyway for some flights when they have the best schedule or I may need to cancel.
But your description makes it clear you haven't flown WN for decades, so don't know that their boarding process works better than any of the other airlines wrt boarding in a calm, civilized manner. Not really fair to denigrate them when you're not familiar with their process.
But your description makes it clear you haven't flown WN for decades, so don't know that their boarding process works better than any of the other airlines wrt boarding in a calm, civilized manner. Not really fair to denigrate them when you're not familiar with their process.
#1363
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,789
Agreed. What I've noticed about UA (and possibly others that I just haven't paid attention to) is that they have recognized that people are going to stand around and wait to board. AF is also good about this for US departures. So, they provide the structure for people to do that in an organized way, and people don't think twice about following it.
If you have no structure, of course people are just going to go all over the place. Put in a couple Tensabarriers and everyone falls into line.
If you have no structure, of course people are just going to go all over the place. Put in a couple Tensabarriers and everyone falls into line.
#1364
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
I'm so glad they had this when I flew LH this summer. We were boarding a 747-8 at ORD, and all the lines stretched well out into the hallway. I couldn't hear the announcements but just followed the line when the First/Business (and maybe *G were included) line started moving. Of course, if I'd paid for one of the 8 F seats and got grouped in with 100+ J/*G passengers for boarding I wouldn't be too happy about that, but it's still better than a complete cluster.
#1365
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Actually I've never flown WN. I don't care whether their boarding process works "better" according to your criterion, I just don't like the numbered signs and ropes where people line up in chutes or holding pens. Nor do I want on board jokes and games, no seat assignments, no FC, with most trips exMSP connecting through MDW, etc. Also, I need to travel abroad regularly--and not to nearby foreign vacation destinations--so travel on WN does not work for me. I don't need to fly them to know that I don't want to do so.
Safe travels,
Doc