gtm3

Searched, but didn't see any threads on this. Please lock if I missed it.

I fly a lot (PM), and this afternoon I flew from ATL to JFK at 1:45PM. The GA announced that they would be experimenting with a new boarding process. From what I could tell, there were only two differences from the current system:

1 - DMs now board with first, and not with sky
2 - It seems people who gate checked their bag also got some kind of advantage when it came to boarding.

Has anybody else experienced this? Even though I'm a PM and it would put me a little further back in the queue, I like this system better. Having DM/PM/GM all board at the same time is a complete mess. Glad they're finally doing something about it. At boarding they had a card to give them feedback for this new system.

Ledfish

Personally, I'd like to see First, then DM-PM, them GM-FO.

On most flights, First and DM-PM should be about the same size. GM-
FO would be the next biggest chunk, followed by Zone 1, then Zone 2 & 3.

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've heard that AS is doing something similar in regards to rewarding non-elite customers with priority boarding in return for giving up their (already huge) carry on bags. This will ease the pain for those boarding in zone 2 and higher, but will likely just further frustrate FO and DL Amex customers looking for an elite boarding experience in zone 1.

Both changes appear to be putting the same coins in new piles. Just my two cents.

gtm3

I agree with you fully, but I feel like there is an inferiority complex about GM, for whatever reason. I think Delta is worried about alienating them by separating them too far from the PMs.

GRALISTAIR

Well I flew MCI-DTW-DAY this morning and saw no evdience of this new procedure

mudpuppy

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.

WWGuy

Just curious... What's the "big difference" if you (we) still board in the first elite Y group and don't have to fight for bin space with zone 1 and higher?

Seems like this will lead to more queuing confusion near the gate too.

ross123

I was thinking the same thing with the SLC/YYC and reverse flight. There are a lot of DM's on the flight (let alone elites). More than the 12 seats in F (and there are paid F and award F customers as well). Its not uncommon for me to be in EC.

chebert999

I did ATL-PHX and here is what they announced:

1) family with child in arms only (she said if the child is not in arms...board with your zone)
2) people needing extra times
3) PREM (she said that's first class only...and insisted)
4) SKY
5) Zone 1, 2, etc

Renes Points

You mean like this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6R...ObRy1xbY2b6x0w

SOBE ER DOC

I would love to see DL tease out the SKY boarding by elite level. Not because I'm some DYKWIA but because when 1/3 - 1/2 of the entire plane is elite (as was the case last night on my JAX-ATL flight the second they call SKY everyone rushes the gate to make sure they get their overhead space. There were a number of DMs who did not get UGs last night. it is what it is but I nearly got knocked down by people rushing the gate then they called Sky Priority. It's just a mess on many flights. When everyone is elite (as with many DL flights), no one is elite.

As much as I hate to say it, WN has a very dignified boarding process. Assigning everyone a number and then having people line up by number creates a much simpler boarding process with no one rushing the gate. UA has also moved to create gate queues for zones 1 - 4 where people are asked to line up in their queue. Seems to control the herds a bit.

Stripe

Indeed. How times have changed. Due to a decade or more of the legacy airlines racing each other to the bottom, WN, with its more orderly boarding, extra inch of seat pitch in Y, free bags, and more liberal ticket changes, is now one of the premium airlines for most coach pax.

readywhenyouare

I'm betting at some point in the future you will see a popup at OLCI or at the kiosk asking you to enter your opening bid for boarding position...

TheMadBrewer

Back in April on an ATL-LAX flight they called DM after F and gave us a comment card. There were are least 3 other DMs who boarded with me.

I believe they were doing all the Medallion levels separately -- that would probably delay things a bit. I could live with groupings of levels.

GRALISTAIR

^ +1