pvn

I'm often in the back as well since I buy a lot of last minute tickets. I've spent $1200 on a one way and ended up in a main cabin middle seat more often than most people in this forum would believe. I also end up there a lot since I tend to do a (much) higher-than average amount of SDC/SDS.

PV_Premier

flyerCO

I find they just confuse people unless the belts are used to separate out each into a lane. About 50/50 on if that's the case.

beachmouse

I'm guessing the percentage is far higher than you'd expect. In an era when the supercomputer in your pocket has what's a pretty amazing amount of storage space, and many companies like Delta do a good job of telling you why an app is useful (track your bags! know about gate changes! and more!) there are plenty of people who will download the app even if it's for a one time trip or use of that company. I mean I've still got the Southwest app on my phone and I don't think I've flown them since something like 2014.

ethernal

I get that - which is why I do put my bag under the seat unless sitting in regular Y. With a 30-31" seat pitch there is literally no place to put my feet in regular Y. Foot space is important (I just declined an "upgrade" to 1A on a 739 and moved back into coach because of the same issue). I'd be glad to pay a nominal fee for this "privilege". I don't know how I would fit into a regular Y seat without being able to put my feet forward underneath the seat in front of me.

Delta just needs to solve this once and for all and make passengers pay for carry-on bags too. Put a token fee on non-personal bags ($10-15 or so) and folks that don't really need them will stop carrying them on. It wouldn't solve the problem for every flight but it would significantly alleviate the issue (especially with the larger OHB they are putting into planes). Unfortunately this will never happen because (1) it demonetizes boarding and (2) means the potential for more OHB going out empty which Delta would view as a negative (due to less available cargo space).

ethernal

Based on the number of paper boarding passes I see and the number of downloads the Delta app has in the App and Play Store I am going to disagree with you. Sure, tons of occasional flyers have the app - but even more don't.

pvn

That might help a bit but the people who are the biggest offenders are elites and would be exempt from the charges (and the FAs routinely look the other way anyway).

fastflyer

This explains the sh!t show that was UA boarding last Thursday, September 20 in KC (flying MCI-EWR).

I was in paid first class, seated near the gate, which was absolutely clogged with gate lice. The agent very methodically called:
"Pre-boards and disabled" -- 3 or 4 people boarded, wait 2 minutes.
"Global Services" -- 3 or 4 people boarded, wait 2 minutes.
"Military" -- 3 or 4 people boarded, wait 2 minutes.
"Families with children" -- 6 or 7 people boarded, wait 2 minutes.
"United 1-K" -- 3 or 4 people boarded, wait 2 minutes.
"Group 1" -- 50 people rushed the gate. Don't know how long she waited after this to move on to Group 2, I was able to board about fifth among the Group 1 scrum.

This is insanity. The airlines should board groups of around 15 people each group. With nine groups you get the whole plane, nicely apportioned. Namely, board the first class cabin (which was 16 seats) first after preboards -- you would have captured the three Global Services and four 1-K folks without the long, drawn-out pauses. Let the various identity groups board with their designated group rather than drawing out the process for 10 minutes before the "real" boarding begins.

ethernal

Easy... don't exempt elites from the fee. As I said, it would never happen - but a boy can dream.

jdrtravel

I doubt this would make a big difference unless the fee were higher than the checked bag fee, and I sincerely hope they don't try to start charging $35+ to put a bag in the ohb.

kavok

hotturnip

Uhhh . . . no.

Just no.

Gig103

I thought I read that United 1K was going to be part of Group 1 w/ the FC, not ahead of it. But if they are calling out every group it is insulting to not give First its own thing ahead of Group 1.

ethernal

1K (along with Plats) were already part of Group 1. It does indeed seem that they are moving 1Ks ahead of Group 1. I agree it is a little silly and unnecessary. But United treats its 1Ks well (better than Delta treats Diamonds in my experience) so I suppose it is just a continuation of that.

charlesdemar

I did as a good boy scout should do today and boarded up against the wall near my designated pillar on our ATL - BDL flight, today. We were all lined up for a while (seemed some amateur hour action was going on with pre-boards) and finally Premiums were called. We all begin to step forward between the permanent (and temporary DL column) and the wall in the line we made....except for Mrs. "Oh!" (which was the sound she made when we all started to move despite standing within leaning distance of the DL pillar). She remained stationary as we passed through.

There is no hope people. Pillars, cattle calls, reprimands. It's just never going to get solved until we bolt people in seats until their zone is called. (BTW, I'll happily stay bolted next to the kind bartender in Terminal B until called. Just taking one for the team, and all....)