Delta is experimenting with new boarding processes (order of boarding))
Aug 20, 2014, 10:09 am
#31
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 90
Some of the suggestions have been tested earlier this year. I, for one, am in agreement that boarding by medallion level makes the process much less chaotic.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...vel-dl358.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...vel-dl358.html
Aug 20, 2014, 12:22 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 768
Even with announcements, it would help to have a display that anyone could read at any time stating what groups are currently boarding. As it is, when someone arrives at the gate area after boarding has begun, there's a tendency to either get in line or push to the podium to board and once the person is there, GAs have a tendency to let them through rather than forcing them to swim upstream back through the line.
Aug 21, 2014, 12:35 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: On the road somewhere
Programs: DL, National, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 4,304
My opinion:
Pre-board - people needing extra time
Zone 1: First Class
Zone 2: DM, PM, GM
Zone 3: FO, Amex, exit row, etc.
Zones 4 and 5: Y
DL originally had the system where FC was Zone 1, etc. but they changed that to the current system a few years ago. Just make it simple...
Pre-board - people needing extra time
Zone 1: First Class
Zone 2: DM, PM, GM
Zone 3: FO, Amex, exit row, etc.
Zones 4 and 5: Y
DL originally had the system where FC was Zone 1, etc. but they changed that to the current system a few years ago. Just make it simple...
Aug 21, 2014, 4:49 am
#35
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL FO/KM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,594
My opinion:
Pre-board - people needing extra time
Zone 1: First Class
Zone 2: DM, PM, GM
Zone 3: FO, Amex, exit row, etc.
Zones 4 and 5: Y
DL originally had the system where FC was Zone 1, etc. but they changed that to the current system a few years ago. Just make it simple...
Pre-board - people needing extra time
Zone 1: First Class
Zone 2: DM, PM, GM
Zone 3: FO, Amex, exit row, etc.
Zones 4 and 5: Y
DL originally had the system where FC was Zone 1, etc. but they changed that to the current system a few years ago. Just make it simple...
I think DL should add at least three more boarding groups before Zone 1, just to make it more confusing.
Pre-boards
F
NON-REVS WHO DON'T CLEAR INTO F
DM
PM
GM
FO
Zone 0 (for Kettles)
then
Z 1-3.
Seriously though, DL should just use Zones 1-5 for everyone. Zone 1 is F class, Z2 is Sky, Z3 (old Z1), etc. Today's system is so confusing when pax in Z1 see half of the plane get in line before them, they all start wrestling into line thinking they missed the Z1 call. Make it simple.
Pre-boards
F
NON-REVS WHO DON'T CLEAR INTO F
DM
PM
GM
FO
Zone 0 (for Kettles)
then
Z 1-3.
Seriously though, DL should just use Zones 1-5 for everyone. Zone 1 is F class, Z2 is Sky, Z3 (old Z1), etc. Today's system is so confusing when pax in Z1 see half of the plane get in line before them, they all start wrestling into line thinking they missed the Z1 call. Make it simple.
Aug 21, 2014, 7:01 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DTW
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Posts: 678
Few seem to remember that previous to baggage fees, who went when in the boarding process was never an issue. There was never a rush at the gate. The overhead bins were never stuffed and didn't need to be built tough to handle all the luggage. Gate checking bags didn't ever happen.
Aug 21, 2014, 7:07 am
#37
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And that would work better than This exactly how?
Aug 21, 2014, 7:48 am
#38
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
If a passenger did not or cannot hear the GA boarding announcement, being able to see on a monitor what zone is boarding will help to keep people from pushing up to the podium when they see that the flight is boarding and don't know what's going on or whether it's their turn yet.
Besides, it's not a reading, listening, interpreting or understanding issue. For the most part, line jumpers, IMO and IME, know what they are doing and don't care. Worst case scenario, they have to wait until they would be boarding anyway. Best case scenario, they get on early. I've seen GAs take the boarding pass from those who line jump and tell the offender he/she needs to sit and wait until the GA can check something in the passenger record, which will be after everyone else boards. Until and unless there is a time-out for those who try to get on early, people will continue to try and get on early. If you are a Kettle, why not try? It's like a free lottery ticket: you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Aug 21, 2014, 8:46 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: AA EXP, United PS, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Amtrak
Posts: 1,254
DL1223, ATL-SEA yesterday, guy comes up and says they're testing a new baggage policy. You could turn your rollaboard into him and it would be placed by DL in the bin above your seat. You could also check through to your final destination.
I told the GA that it sounded like a nightmare and she agreed, saying she's not sure who comes up with that nutty stuff.
Boarded with FC, so I'm not sure how that went.
I told the GA that it sounded like a nightmare and she agreed, saying she's not sure who comes up with that nutty stuff.
Boarded with FC, so I'm not sure how that went.
Aug 21, 2014, 9:34 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Aug 21, 2014, 9:49 am
#41
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If anything, it would do just the opposite. When those boarding after PREM see a bunch of DMs sitting back in coach, it will be pretty obvious that those DMs missed the cut.
Aug 21, 2014, 9:55 am
#42
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Aug 21, 2014, 10:27 am
#43
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / JFK
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Posts: 665
Quote:
Originally Posted by WWGuy
I'm PM and get upgraded most of the time, so I find it hard to believe that boarding DM with PREM will thin the SKY boarding zone herd very much. It seems more like a DM consolation prize for missed upgrades when they occur.
I'm PM and get upgraded about 20% of the time. Flying out of ATL on a Monday morning with 60+ elites on a flight, this could make a big difference for the DMs.
Originally Posted by WWGuy
I'm PM and get upgraded most of the time, so I find it hard to believe that boarding DM with PREM will thin the SKY boarding zone herd very much. It seems more like a DM consolation prize for missed upgrades when they occur.
I'm PM and get upgraded about 20% of the time. Flying out of ATL on a Monday morning with 60+ elites on a flight, this could make a big difference for the DMs.
Aug 21, 2014, 10:43 am
#44
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What makes you think that the people who cannot read a simple term like "Zone 1" on a boarding pass would be able to read something on a monitor? What makes you think that people who could easily just ask another person waiting which Zone is boarding instead of crowding the podium would do anything different if the information is printed? Obviously these people think going to the podium is the right thing to do.
Besides, it's not a reading, listening, interpreting or understanding issue. For the most part, line jumpers, IMO and IME, know what they are doing and don't care. Worst case scenario, they have to wait until they would be boarding anyway. Best case scenario, they get on early. I've seen GAs take the boarding pass from those who line jump and tell the offender he/she needs to sit and wait until the GA can check something in the passenger record, which will be after everyone else boards. Until and unless there is a time-out for those who try to get on early, people will continue to try and get on early. If you are a Kettle, why not try? It's like a free lottery ticket: you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Besides, it's not a reading, listening, interpreting or understanding issue. For the most part, line jumpers, IMO and IME, know what they are doing and don't care. Worst case scenario, they have to wait until they would be boarding anyway. Best case scenario, they get on early. I've seen GAs take the boarding pass from those who line jump and tell the offender he/she needs to sit and wait until the GA can check something in the passenger record, which will be after everyone else boards. Until and unless there is a time-out for those who try to get on early, people will continue to try and get on early. If you are a Kettle, why not try? It's like a free lottery ticket: you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
When I played GA for a day at the ATL DL DO, there was a polite but anxious and overly eager woman who ran up to try to board every time a zone was announced. English was not her native language and I was able to point to the zone on her boarding pass, but she obviously did not understand the verbal zone announcements. I really don't think she was trying to board early.
Personally I often arrive at the gate after boarding has started. It can be hard to accurately learn what zone is boarding, so I usually just approach the podium from the SkyPriority line without bothering unless they're obviously only doing pre boards. I tend to be in FC/BE so this doesn't constitute an attempt to board early. Until I see how many people are backed up in the jetway or can see a couple boarding passes that folks are holding, I have no clue what zone it is.
Aug 21, 2014, 10:47 am
#45
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How would letting non-UG'd DMs board with FC (PREM) demonstrate how often DMs get UGs?
If anything, it would do just the opposite. When those boarding after PREM see a bunch of DMs sitting back in coach, it will be pretty obvious that those DMs missed the cut.
If anything, it would do just the opposite. When those boarding after PREM see a bunch of DMs sitting back in coach, it will be pretty obvious that those DMs missed the cut.