jsmith50

I agree that boarding continues to be a major issue for Delta but in my experience many GAs in many locations are doing a nice job of this and are sending people back if they get to the podium with a zone 3 BP during F boarding.

You sir, however, may have posted this in the wrong thread...the DYKWIA thread is elsewhere...

bubbashow

I agree with the OP. The problem is not the zone 3 people, it is the Sky and Zone 1 boarding when they shouldn't

MSPeconomist

WTBWFBF = want to board with first, buy first

jsmith50

I think the OP's point though is that even when boarding with first, you have to navigate the mass of humanity that immediately crowds the gate area with zone 3 BPs. Buying first has little to do with people not following directions (I know with as much as you travel MSP, I'm preaching to the choir, you already know this!). I get his message, I just didn't appreciate the DYKWIA tone with which he argued his case.

MSPeconomist

Agree. The tone and bubbashow's appearance here just provided a tempting opportunity to play with the WFBF mantra. I'm sure they would agree with the sentiment that anyone who wants to board with PREM should buy a premium ticket.

mattp1987

I don't understand why Sky Priority customers shouldn't use the Sky Priority lane. That seems to defeat the point of having such a lane. Maybe they could make an exception for F pax who arrive during Sky boarding to use the general lane as a bypass lane.

I do agree about not allowing the whole of Zone 1 to board through the Sky Priority lane. Since F+Sky+Zone 1 is often more than half the plane this really dilutes the advantage of the lane for late arriving F/Sky passengers. What I'd really like to see is that Zone 1 boards through the regular lane with the exception of FOs who may use the Sky Priority lane once Zone 1 is called. This would put FOs behind Sky zone but still allow them to bypass the credit card holders.

MSPeconomist

Interesting idea, but it defeats the attempt of DL and AmEx to make DL AmEx cardholders to feel important and special. It also shoves partner elites away from the prestige of walking over the SkyPriority carpet.

irishPirate

Sounds more like Cattle, instead of Kettle.

I almost always have to check my bags because I take tools and instruments that can't go through security. I only have my backpack that fits under the seat and no need for overhead space. Anymore, these days, I try to wait to be the last one onboard. It really saves on the frustration and keeps the blood pressure low.

I love watching gate lice, I hope they never change.

gooselee

I'd actually love the turnstile to just be a swinging gate. Scan your BP during your correct zone and it swings open to allow you into the jetway. Scan your BP before your assigned zone, and it swings the other way to dump you into a chute that sends you back landside.

Sez_Who

A bypass lane is really not necessary. Spending too long in the SC, have been in this situation from time to time. My bad, not anyone else's.

Really never thought it was a big deal to just enter the SP line at the end. Yes, o/h space is important. Maybe not available right above my seat but there is always something available in F except maybe at the very end.

sethb

Flight 2240 SFO-JFK last night, the GA was telling people to go away when they tried to board early. ("We're only boarding First Class now." Business, actually, but who cares? They weren't even Sky, must have been Amex holders.)

I boarded about sixth in Sky and the overheads (I was in the front exit row) in my area were already full (from others sitting nearby). Fortunately, the Kryptonium card gave me the ability to use the available bin space in J.

flyingweekly

I say something almost every time. Today I reminded the GA that they couple they let in front of me board was zone 1, not FC as she called. I said you need to enforce boarding rules. She just shrugged.

flyingweekly

I liked the experiement they had at ATL, where they had signs for the zones! What ever happened to that?

DiverDave

Perhaps some day in the future, you will become a dreaded kettle and you will be actually flying to get somewhere, and not just flying around to earn miles and status.
Even worse, you may be a kettle of limited means and trying to carry on your luggage because you actually need to save money.

Yeah I know, you are young and affluent, but maybe there is a Bernie Madoff in your future. You never know.

Anyway, kettle is a somewhat offensive term and the ordinary traveler is far more tolerable than the DYKWIA types. It wouldn't hurt for some on this board to practice some patience and understanding.

Bottom line, the GAs told you that it's Delta policy. So if you have a beef with that, take it up with Virginia Avenue.

David

carzin

I have to admit, this thread is pretty pedantic. I always abide by the zone restrictions, and try to keep my seat until called, but it is frustrating when I carry a reasonable carry-on (normally a back pack) and have to store it below because every one else feels the need to save a little money and carry on an oversized bag. It does pay to be at the front of the line, which is why it makes sense the 'lice' line up. I suspect most of those 'lice' don't have sales jobs that forces them to travel all the time to get status.

I guess I need to come up with a derogatory name for all the commercial passengers with status that are sitting behind me in a jet behind me when I'm flying my personal aircraft to the vacation destination of my choice, since apparently getting a crappy status allows such a silly display of entitlement and superiority.

This board is almost intolerable.