Broken Record: Boarding Zones - Delta Policy Not to Enforce
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Broken Record: Boarding Zones - Delta Policy Not to Enforce
Hi All,
This has been beaten to death but I have to raise the topic again. I was flying ATL-LAX yesterday and had probably one of the worst boarding zone experiences ever. When they called First Class, all the AMEX Zone 1 SkyMiles Members started boarding... The agents told people at first that they were in the wrong zone, but they kept boarding. The agents kept making clear announcements that they were only boarding First Class but the Kettle kept coming. Finally the agents had enough of it and just said "Calling All Rows And All Zones to Board." This caused a semi-stampeed to the boarding door.
I know the Agents primary responsibility is to have the flight push back on time; however, is there anything Delta can do to to better enforce these boarding zones in the future? Why advertise these medallion programs when any Kettle can walk up and board with First Class as long as he/she is carrying their American Express card? I asked the agents when boarding why they don't enforce the zones (preferably putting those who do not listen in time out), and they told them it is Delta's policy not to enforce Boarding Zones on Domestic Flights.
Has anyone seen anything like this?
Regards,
mbwmbw
This has been beaten to death but I have to raise the topic again. I was flying ATL-LAX yesterday and had probably one of the worst boarding zone experiences ever. When they called First Class, all the AMEX Zone 1 SkyMiles Members started boarding... The agents told people at first that they were in the wrong zone, but they kept boarding. The agents kept making clear announcements that they were only boarding First Class but the Kettle kept coming. Finally the agents had enough of it and just said "Calling All Rows And All Zones to Board." This caused a semi-stampeed to the boarding door.
I know the Agents primary responsibility is to have the flight push back on time; however, is there anything Delta can do to to better enforce these boarding zones in the future? Why advertise these medallion programs when any Kettle can walk up and board with First Class as long as he/she is carrying their American Express card? I asked the agents when boarding why they don't enforce the zones (preferably putting those who do not listen in time out), and they told them it is Delta's policy not to enforce Boarding Zones on Domestic Flights.
Has anyone seen anything like this?
Regards,
mbwmbw
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
My experience has been 50/50. I have seen them turn away people and tell them to wait for the Zone 1 announcement. I'd like to see large monitors with current loading zone in HUGE letters, so everyone can see it. My biggest issue is trying to find a path through the GL to the gate. Sometimes its almost impossible.
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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My experience has been 50/50. I have seen them turn away people and tell them to wait for the Zone 1 announcement. I'd like to see large monitors with current loading zone in HUGE letters, so everyone can see it. My biggest issue is trying to find a path through the GL to the gate. Sometimes its almost impossible.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2012
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I propose they put in automated boarding lanes w/ actual gates (much like you see on many metro systems), and if your BP doesn't meet that zone then you are rejected. The social backlash from holding up the line and being an idiot might be enough to fix the boarding zone process.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: DL GM, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 102
I am not sure how we really expect the kettles to understand that zone 1 is not first class (first=1 correct?).
There is normally not any indication prior to boarding about the naming and order of the boarding zones (OK - sometimes there is a garbled message from the GA - but some of the PA systems are hard to hear clearly)
I have often thought that it might be a good idea to have a clear display screen on the GIDs that would list all zones and and what order they are called.
There is I think one screen that tells you where to find your zone # on the boarding pass - but nothing to indicate what zones there are or what order they are called in.
There is normally not any indication prior to boarding about the naming and order of the boarding zones (OK - sometimes there is a garbled message from the GA - but some of the PA systems are hard to hear clearly)
I have often thought that it might be a good idea to have a clear display screen on the GIDs that would list all zones and and what order they are called.
There is I think one screen that tells you where to find your zone # on the boarding pass - but nothing to indicate what zones there are or what order they are called in.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MSP
Posts: 482
I think the biggest issue is the desire to be first. Setup separate lanes for each zone. That way if someone with their fancy AMEX card wants to be the first in zone 1 line, all the power to them. The wouldn't be in the first class lane, or the SKY lane and everyone is happy. Sure, you would probably have more gate lice this way, but at least they would be more organized!
#7
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If the policy really is not to (even try to) enforce boarding zones on domestic flights, I find this shocking.
It would help a lot IMO to post the current boarding zone on the monitor over the GA's "desk" at the gate. Often it's difficult to hear what zone is called or someone arrives late and discovers too late that his or her zone is already boarding.
It would help a lot IMO to post the current boarding zone on the monitor over the GA's "desk" at the gate. Often it's difficult to hear what zone is called or someone arrives late and discovers too late that his or her zone is already boarding.
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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I think the biggest issue is the desire to be first. Setup separate lanes for each zone. That way if someone with their fancy AMEX card wants to be the first in zone 1 line, all the power to them. The wouldn't be in the first class lane, or the SKY lane and everyone is happy. Sure, you would probably have more gate lice this way, but at least they would be more organized!
#9
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This has actually helped quite a bit on United flights. It's much more visible to the Kettle who have no idea what's going on. Plus, it makes it easier to get there later and go down the priority lane. The bigger issue with United is for smaller gates, they have Zone 1-2 in a single line; which causes traffic jams as Zone 2 fill up the line and when Zone 1 is called no one can get through.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
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I propose they put in automated boarding lanes w/ actual gates (much like you see on many metro systems), and if your BP doesn't meet that zone then you are rejected. The social backlash from holding up the line and being an idiot might be enough to fix the boarding zone process.
That said, whatever became of the self-boarding system that Delta was testing at BOS gate A2 (among other locations)?
I have often thought that it might be a good idea to have a clear display screen on the GIDs that would list all zones and and what order they are called.
There is I think one screen that tells you where to find your zone # on the boarding pass - but nothing to indicate what zones there are or what order they are called in.
There is I think one screen that tells you where to find your zone # on the boarding pass - but nothing to indicate what zones there are or what order they are called in.
This is what happens when PREM boards but all the DL elites who weren't upgraded block the SkyPriority lane. My most recent bad example of this was when BE boarded on a TPAC flight but no one in BE could get to the podium and some apparent non kettles who should have known better simply refused to move.
Last edited by MS02113; Dec 13, 2013 at 2:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IND
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Broken Record: Boarding Zones - Delta Policy Not to Enforce
Following instructions is hard :/
Whether it's a human or a robot gate giving those instructions really won't matter. I saw somewhere around here that DL experimented with an auto gate. I assume it was a disaster.
Whether it's a human or a robot gate giving those instructions really won't matter. I saw somewhere around here that DL experimented with an auto gate. I assume it was a disaster.
#13
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If I don't have bags I would do the same. Perhaps DL should only allow Elites to bring bags on the plane in the overhead. The problem is the Kettle chew through the bin space like it's spinach and when the Elite flyers get on there isn't any left.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2013
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This has actually helped quite a bit on United flights. It's much more visible to the Kettle who have no idea what's going on. Plus, it makes it easier to get there later and go down the priority lane. The bigger issue with United is for smaller gates, they have Zone 1-2 in a single line; which causes traffic jams as Zone 2 fill up the line and when Zone 1 is called no one can get through.
DL tested this in DTW and a few other places. Word was they really didn't help much and elites didn't like lining up either.
#15
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I'm often afraid on very full flights that if I board late there could be a duplicate seat assignment and the GA will give it to the early occupant. It's also harder to deal with seat poachers if you board very late.