Gate Checkers Get Early Boarding!
Mar 5, 2014, 11:16 am
#1
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Join Date: May 2010
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Gate Checkers Get Early Boarding!
Never saw this before. Right after the preboards got on my flight ATL-SMF this morning, the gate agent announced, "If you come up and check your bag, you can board right away." Then as a line formed, she began checking the bags and the people did indeed get to board. This was before first class was called! After they had checked about 10 bags, they began to quietly also let the first class folks board. Is this a new "feature"? It definitely got more gate check bags than usual. Didn't hear much grumbling but I think most of us were too stunned.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:22 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2012
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I think that would be fine, as long as the FA enforces that none of them except bulkhead seats get to put their 2nd carry on (aka "personal item") in the overhead.
Heck, I think if the FA really, truly enforced one carry on overhead (and no coats) to begin with, they wouldn't have the OH space problem that usually happens.
Heck, I think if the FA really, truly enforced one carry on overhead (and no coats) to begin with, they wouldn't have the OH space problem that usually happens.
Last edited by kitkat77; Mar 5, 2014 at 11:53 am
Mar 5, 2014, 11:27 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
Never saw this before. Right after the preboards got on my flight ATL-SMF this morning, the gate agent announced, "If you come up and check your bag, you can board right away." Then as a line formed, she began checking the bags and the people did indeed get to board. This was before first class was called! After they had checked about 10 bags, they began to quietly also let the first class folks board. Is this a new "feature"? It definitely got more gate check bags than usual. Didn't hear much grumbling but I think most of us were too stunned.
Unless you need overhead space, are in First Class or perhaps have children, why would you want to board early? One spends enough time already sitting in those cramped seats!
Mar 5, 2014, 11:28 am
#4
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Probably not a new feature, but perhaps the Gate Agents knew the plane would be full so asking coach/economy folks to gate check before boarding may have eliminated on board issues?
Although I wasn't there, I think that is better than sitting in first and having people in coach/economy lug their oversized bags from the back of the plane to the front after we're seated. Someone always get hit with the luggage, people in back are confused and it just leads to delays.
Although I wasn't there, I think that is better than sitting in first and having people in coach/economy lug their oversized bags from the back of the plane to the front after we're seated. Someone always get hit with the luggage, people in back are confused and it just leads to delays.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:29 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 209
Agree 100%. The only real benefit to boarding early is the availability of overhead space(and/or free drink in first class). If you're going to be gate checking your bag anyway, why would you be in a rush to get on the plane?
Mar 5, 2014, 11:40 am
#6
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Mar 5, 2014, 11:46 am
#7
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I think that would be fine, as long as the FA enforces that none of them except bulkhead seats get to put their 2nd carry on in the overhead.
Heck, I think if the FA really, truly enforced one carry on overhead (and no coats) to begin with, they wouldn't have the OH space problem that usually happens.
Heck, I think if the FA really, truly enforced one carry on overhead (and no coats) to begin with, they wouldn't have the OH space problem that usually happens.
However, I've never been on a flight where economy/coach passenger have been allowed to put their carry-ons in first class overhead bins. Exception being a very, very small item for someone in the first row of economy/coach during takeoff/landing.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:52 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2014
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DL (and all other carriers) have hawked the credit cards with early boarding so everyone has been conditioned to see it as a "benefit". I don't find it strange that people want to grab every free "benefit" they can get even if it doesn't actually benefit them.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:53 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but FAs have nothing to do with Carry Ons, prior to boarding. That is the Gate Agents job. Ive been on flights (DL, AA & UA) where there has been an issue with (size of) baggage and the gate agent came onboard to resolve the situation.
However, I've never been on a flight where economy/coach passenger have been allowed to put their carry-ons in first class overhead bins. Exception being a very, very small item for someone in the first row of economy/coach during takeoff/landing.
However, I've never been on a flight where economy/coach passenger have been allowed to put their carry-ons in first class overhead bins. Exception being a very, very small item for someone in the first row of economy/coach during takeoff/landing.
This has nothing to do with size.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:55 am
#10
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Not only would I be fine with this being the new policy, I'd love to see it happen. The look on some CC holder's face when he/she now realizes he/she is in the fifth zone to board would be priceless. Pre-GCs-Prem-Sky-Zone 1 has a nice ring to it.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:56 am
#11
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Because many fliers are unexperienced, and have extreme anxiety about the process. They're afraid they won't be able to find their seat. They're afraid that someone else will be sitting in it. They're hoping for a first class upgrade. Etc, etc. They just want to get in their seat, after weeks or months of stressing. Look around a gate 30 minutes prior to boarding. 80% of the people have a wide-eyed look on their face, clenching their boarding pass in both hands and obsessively checking it and their phone/watch for the time.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:08 pm
#12
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but FAs have nothing to do with Carry Ons, prior to boarding. That is the Gate Agents job. Ive been on flights (DL, AA & UA) where there has been an issue with (size of) baggage and the gate agent came onboard to resolve the situation.
However, I've never been on a flight where economy/coach passenger have been allowed to put their carry-ons in first class overhead bins. Exception being a very, very small item for someone in the first row of economy/coach during takeoff/landing.
However, I've never been on a flight where economy/coach passenger have been allowed to put their carry-ons in first class overhead bins. Exception being a very, very small item for someone in the first row of economy/coach during takeoff/landing.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:24 pm
#13
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I've seen it happen and the FC FA then ask what cabin they are in. If they are a coach passenger, the FA will then explain that their items must be in the cabin they are seated in and the FC overhead bins are for the FC passengers.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:24 pm
#14
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That's my experience as well. One of the best things about the 757 is the lack of this problem.
Mar 5, 2014, 12:28 pm
#15
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