Preloading carry-ons
Jun 1, 2015, 3:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
Jun 1, 2015, 3:13 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Flight attendants last year did not like it because the extra agent whose job it was to load the bags onboard just left them at the bottom of the jetway for the flight attendant to deal with.
Hopefully these gate concierge agents will actually load the bags into the overhead bins and not stick it to the FAs.
Hopefully these gate concierge agents will actually load the bags into the overhead bins and not stick it to the FAs.
Jun 1, 2015, 3:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Denver
Programs: DL: PM, MR: Plat, AMEX Plat
Posts: 168
I'm glad they're testing this. Considering it's airline checked baggage fees that really inflates the need for overhead space, airlines need to do something.
You bring up an interesting point. I'm sure some folks would be willing to pay to have their bag stored, guaranteed above their seat.
Furthermore, I think it would be a great value-add for the Sky Club. I'd love to give them my rollaboard, knowing it'd be valet delivered above my seat before I arrive at the gate. I could spend an extra 15 minutes or so in the Club, not taking up space at the already cramped gate.
Jun 1, 2015, 3:35 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,650
My take is different: I won't use this service, at all. I keep valuable things (at least valuable to me, like my laptop and medicine) in my carry-on. This is only a little better than gate-checking a bag, in that your roll aboard will be with you when you deplane, but it will still be out of your control for some time.
Jun 1, 2015, 3:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 266
Me thinks that if DL feels there is enough demand for this service they will start charging for this and reduce/eliminate first bag fees, which would alleviate the time for boarding.
Ironically in my experience the longest boarding times are not always leisure routes, business heavy routes' bins fill up just as quickly if not more quickly as nobody wants to check.
Ironically in my experience the longest boarding times are not always leisure routes, business heavy routes' bins fill up just as quickly if not more quickly as nobody wants to check.
Jun 1, 2015, 3:48 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Me thinks that if DL feels there is enough demand for this service they will start charging for this and reduce/eliminate first bag fees, which would alleviate the time for boarding.
Ironically in my experience the longest boarding times are not always leisure routes, business heavy routes' bins fill up just as quickly if not more quickly as nobody wants to check.
Ironically in my experience the longest boarding times are not always leisure routes, business heavy routes' bins fill up just as quickly if not more quickly as nobody wants to check.
I'm really curious to know how the gate concierge agents select who in the gate area gets to have their bag valeted. Do they walk around and pick out the soccer mom with a visor, fanny pack and the gigantic carry-on?
Jun 1, 2015, 4:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
It looks like it's not costing anything, since they're targeting leisure (infrequent) travelers.
I'm glad they're testing this. Considering it's airline checked baggage fees that really inflates the need for overhead space, airlines need to do something.
You bring up an interesting point. I'm sure some folks would be willing to pay to have their bag stored, guaranteed above their seat.
Furthermore, I think it would be a great value-add for the Sky Club. I'd love to give them my rollaboard, knowing it'd be valet delivered above my seat before I arrive at the gate. I could spend an extra 15 minutes or so in the Club, not taking up space at the already cramped gate.
I'm glad they're testing this. Considering it's airline checked baggage fees that really inflates the need for overhead space, airlines need to do something.
You bring up an interesting point. I'm sure some folks would be willing to pay to have their bag stored, guaranteed above their seat.
Furthermore, I think it would be a great value-add for the Sky Club. I'd love to give them my rollaboard, knowing it'd be valet delivered above my seat before I arrive at the gate. I could spend an extra 15 minutes or so in the Club, not taking up space at the already cramped gate.
Jun 1, 2015, 8:12 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Between BDL and PVD
Programs: RapidRewards, SkyPesos, whatever flies where I want to go.
Posts: 270
This is the most idiotic plan yet that I've heard from Delta. First it was the racket they are running with legroom and "Economy Plus", where they are the proverbial "Tony", steal your seat legroom, and then try to sell it back to you for more. Then it was the "Economy Basic" BS which is basically a bait and switch campaign to show lower prices for a service that no one actually would want in the search engines, I guess to compete with WN or some of the ULCC's or something.
And now this. This is a new low in completely and utterly idiotic things that DL is doing. The overhead bin space thing is utterly ridiculous. I do not check bags, but some people, in fact, many people, are willing to check their bags if there are no checked baggage fees. WN turns and loads planes faster by having fewer carry-ons, and more stuff handled by the rampers. AS does the same thing within Alaska, minus the faster loading, since they take forever to board anyway, but at least most of it is just chilling in your seat, and not wrangling, cramming, and slamming bags.
Therefore, even though I don't check bags, I greatly benefit from WN's no checked bags fees. DL's system before was semi-functional if I took a seat in the back so that I could get carry-on space. Now with this BS, I can't get carry-on space, since it will all be filled up already.
DL already lost my business, so much as I can avoid them, a long time ago, to WN, even though I go to DTW at least once a year, and thus have to bounce through BWI on WN. But stuff like this is just galvanizing my complete and total hatred for their ridiculous practices.
DL should shape up in the following ways:
1. Scrap this idiotic plan.
2. 2 free checked bags for every passenger
3. Get rid of Economy Plus and Economy Minus, give every Economy seat 32". If I'm going to pay more than WN, I at least want what WN gives you, which is 31" or 32".
That would still leave first class, and their inefficient and archaic assigned seat model, but AS has those, and AS is still OK.
And now this. This is a new low in completely and utterly idiotic things that DL is doing. The overhead bin space thing is utterly ridiculous. I do not check bags, but some people, in fact, many people, are willing to check their bags if there are no checked baggage fees. WN turns and loads planes faster by having fewer carry-ons, and more stuff handled by the rampers. AS does the same thing within Alaska, minus the faster loading, since they take forever to board anyway, but at least most of it is just chilling in your seat, and not wrangling, cramming, and slamming bags.
Therefore, even though I don't check bags, I greatly benefit from WN's no checked bags fees. DL's system before was semi-functional if I took a seat in the back so that I could get carry-on space. Now with this BS, I can't get carry-on space, since it will all be filled up already.
DL already lost my business, so much as I can avoid them, a long time ago, to WN, even though I go to DTW at least once a year, and thus have to bounce through BWI on WN. But stuff like this is just galvanizing my complete and total hatred for their ridiculous practices.
DL should shape up in the following ways:
1. Scrap this idiotic plan.
2. 2 free checked bags for every passenger
3. Get rid of Economy Plus and Economy Minus, give every Economy seat 32". If I'm going to pay more than WN, I at least want what WN gives you, which is 31" or 32".
That would still leave first class, and their inefficient and archaic assigned seat model, but AS has those, and AS is still OK.
Jun 1, 2015, 8:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
New service for Kettles on DL - Early Valet
Delta's Early Valet service will offer to have airline employees take carry-on bags at the gate and put them in the bins above assigned seats. The airline wants to see if its own workers can load the bins faster than passengers.
The service began Monday on about two dozen flights, and that number is expected to rise steadily during June, Delta spokeswoman Morgan Durrant said.
Early Valet will be offered through August on some departures from Delta's busiest airports — Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
It will be available only on flights that typically have a high number of vacationers. Presumably, business travelers know how to board a plane efficiently. Specially tagged bags will be stowed on the plane before boarding begins, Durrant said.
The service began Monday on about two dozen flights, and that number is expected to rise steadily during June, Delta spokeswoman Morgan Durrant said.
Early Valet will be offered through August on some departures from Delta's busiest airports — Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
It will be available only on flights that typically have a high number of vacationers. Presumably, business travelers know how to board a plane efficiently. Specially tagged bags will be stowed on the plane before boarding begins, Durrant said.
Where is DL getting the extra staff to provide this VIP service for Kettles? Kettle1 wonders?
Perhaps get a bunch of interns to provide this service.
And why not do this in MCO where 90% of the flts are full of Kettles in the Summer?
Last edited by RSSrsvp; Jun 4, 2015 at 6:19 am Reason: Merged into the existing thread on the topic
Jun 1, 2015, 8:35 pm
#12
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
This is the first I've heard of this, but my initial thought is that the article is incorrect that it is 'airline employees' that load the bags, I'd have to think it's the same contractor at each airport that provides SkyCap services.
Jun 1, 2015, 8:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
Quote:
Delta's Early Valet service will offer to have airline employees take carry-on bags at the gate and put them in the bins above assigned seats. The airline wants to see if its own workers can load the bins faster than passengers.
The service began Monday on about two dozen flights, and that number is expected to rise steadily during June, Delta spokeswoman Morgan Durrant said.
Early Valet will be offered through August on some departures from Delta's busiest airports — Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
It will be available only on flights that typically have a high number of vacationers. Presumably, business travelers know how to board a plane efficiently. Specially tagged bags will be stowed on the plane before boarding begins, Durrant said.
ARTICLE: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/airlin...--finance.html
Where is DL getting the extra staff to provide this VIP service for Kettles? Kettle1 wonders?
Perhaps get a bunch of interns to provide this service.
And why not do this in MCO where 90% of the flts are full of Kettles in the Summer?
Delta's Early Valet service will offer to have airline employees take carry-on bags at the gate and put them in the bins above assigned seats. The airline wants to see if its own workers can load the bins faster than passengers.
The service began Monday on about two dozen flights, and that number is expected to rise steadily during June, Delta spokeswoman Morgan Durrant said.
Early Valet will be offered through August on some departures from Delta's busiest airports — Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
It will be available only on flights that typically have a high number of vacationers. Presumably, business travelers know how to board a plane efficiently. Specially tagged bags will be stowed on the plane before boarding begins, Durrant said.
ARTICLE: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/airlin...--finance.html
Where is DL getting the extra staff to provide this VIP service for Kettles? Kettle1 wonders?
Perhaps get a bunch of interns to provide this service.
And why not do this in MCO where 90% of the flts are full of Kettles in the Summer?
Jun 1, 2015, 9:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
