“Do You Know Who I Am?”: The Definitive Thread of DYKWIA Stories
Dec 9, 2014, 12:25 pm
#4426
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Maybe UA is trying to become like WN but I don't want DL to go down that path.
Dec 9, 2014, 1:17 pm
#4427
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM; *A FO. UG since(1/1/15): 11/14
Posts: 683
But as far as boarding goes I prefer at least some kind of organization, not the basic clusterf***k that Delta has at just about every airport.
Dec 9, 2014, 1:19 pm
#4428
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
I won't fly WN. Never have.
Dec 9, 2014, 2:16 pm
#4429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
MSP today, Gate G20 for DL348. Sky priority boarding was announced and there were these three men with oversize roller standing and blocking the lane. I ask them "Sky Priority?" they said no. I reply "they are boarding Sky riority so can the passenger with Sky Priority get by?" they did not move so I had to force my way pass them followed by the rest of the Sky Priority group.
Later near end of boarding, two of them had a heated discussion with the GA/FA who were forcing them to check their oversize rollers.
Later near end of boarding, two of them had a heated discussion with the GA/FA who were forcing them to check their oversize rollers.
Dec 9, 2014, 2:18 pm
#4430
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
It sounds like the GA did a good job of not allowing them to board early, before their zone was called.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:06 pm
#4431
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: PIT
Programs: US Gold | DL Gold
Posts: 25
... but not stipulating that they keep the boarding area clear for other passengers to board. I'm not sure why GAs aren't more insistent, after all, gate lice, especially ones like were described, are an impediment to the boarding process and create a greater likelihood of pushing back late as opposed to having an on-time departure.
Dec 9, 2014, 3:08 pm
#4432
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
... but not stipulating that they keep the boarding area clear for other passengers to board. I'm not sure why GAs aren't more insistent, after all, gate lice, especially ones like were described, are an impediment to the boarding process and create a greater likelihood of pushing back late as opposed to having an on-time departure.
Dec 9, 2014, 10:42 pm
#4434
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
I've found just saying "Coming through" works fine. It's all in the tone of voice. ("If you would prefer me to walk past you rather than through you, all you need do is step aside. It doesn't matter to me.")
Dec 10, 2014, 3:12 am
#4435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SoFla (formerly NYC Metro)
Programs: DL PM, UA Prem1K, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 25,694
Dec 10, 2014, 4:48 am
#4436
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Paris, Chicago, Rome, London, St John
Programs: DeltaPrivateJet, Ritz PP, Delta 4 million miler - Flying Colonel; AA Exec Plat (3 million + USAir)
Posts: 796
The very usage of "kettles" "lice" etc shows me that we must all bow to your exalted self - we are sorry, we did not know how important you were
Dec 10, 2014, 5:00 am
#4437
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI USA DL FO (until 2/04), NW silver '03, NW gold '04+'05 Plat '06+ (thanks, Leo!), DL SkyClub
Programs: DL Plat/ Million Miler, AS, Hilton, Marriott Bonvoy, Piggly Wiggly Pig Points
Posts: 2,233
Flip side of the story. Some of us are "walking wounded" or "semi-disabled." We don't need a wheelchair or that type of assistance but because of illness, age or physical condition it can take longer to board and get settled in. If I am up front that's never a problem but sometimes if I am in the back on a crowded plane I will take a preboard -- after advising the GA of the situation -- and that is done largely as a favor to other pax who would be inconvenienced by my blocking the aisle in order to get baggage stowed and situated in my seat. Just because someone isn't on crutches or in a wheelchair does not mean they are not injured or could risk injury. (Yes, I have seen people milk this but the best thing to do is approach the GA in advance and politely explain.) And some people have other medical conditions which may necessitate either early boarding or certain seats, etc. Sometimes I feel bad when I decline a request to give up an aisle seat for a family, etc., but there are times when medication forces numerous restroom visits. Most people understand if you tell them the truth.
Dec 10, 2014, 6:17 am
#4438
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
Why aren't the the DL GAs doing their job, and telling people to move away from the boarding lanes?
At Changi, there is a separate SP seating area. Admittance is monitored by an agent. Civilised. That's not likely to happen here, but at least the GAs could exercise more control/organization. Flying is grim enough for pax without having to do crowd control.
At Changi, there is a separate SP seating area. Admittance is monitored by an agent. Civilised. That's not likely to happen here, but at least the GAs could exercise more control/organization. Flying is grim enough for pax without having to do crowd control.
Left SIN in Nov and they staple a red and blue half of the boarding pass Sky Priority tag to the top of the BP. That helped the GA, security and immigration staff to know who is entitled to use the lanes. The GA also turned three family with over-sized children under 2 and the wheelchair users' entourage away during early boarding.
Dec 10, 2014, 7:55 am
#4439
Formerly known as HuwRLewis
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Holland, Michigan, USA
Programs: DL-DM (Charter); DL-MM; Hilton: Diamond
Posts: 139
I always puzzle me that the DL GA(contracted) in the asian outpost does a better job of gate control contrary to the social norm of the region.
Left SIN in Nov and they staple a red and blue half of the boarding pass Sky Priority tag to the top of the BP. That helped the GA, security and immigration staff to know who is entitled to use the lanes. The GA also turned three family with over-sized children under 2 and the wheelchair users' entourage away during early boarding.
Left SIN in Nov and they staple a red and blue half of the boarding pass Sky Priority tag to the top of the BP. That helped the GA, security and immigration staff to know who is entitled to use the lanes. The GA also turned three family with over-sized children under 2 and the wheelchair users' entourage away during early boarding.
I'm not sure all Asian airports are as well organized as SIN. Boarding at Narita is still a bit of a 'free for all.' An earlier post suggested that 'language' issues may be partly to blame, and that could be the case at NRT, though the PA system there is a lot clearer than at many airports - especially CDG!
Dec 10, 2014, 7:57 am
#4440
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Many DL gates at NRT don't have much space. That's at least part of the problem there.