Dec 22, 2018, 7:15 pm
New Delta Boarding Process Jan 2019
Dec 13, 2018, 11:48 am
#226
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
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Posts: 5,431
This is another aspect which makes no sense. As a PM, I prefer a preferred exit row, the C+. Now I am being penalized for this choice, but the alternative, for me to take a C+ seat, reduces the seats Delta can sell.
So, somehow, DL has found the WORST of both worlds.
Mind boggling dumb. Dumber than dirt.
So, somehow, DL has found the WORST of both worlds.
Mind boggling dumb. Dumber than dirt.
Dec 13, 2018, 11:50 am
#227
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
I don't think so. The MQM boosts are a strong incentive for cards. Also, a pure-MQD system makes the waivers ... problematic, which is another huge driver for cards sign-ups.
Dec 13, 2018, 11:54 am
#228
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,458
As I have said in other threads I went "free agent" this year instead of chasing Diamond as I have done in the past. I feel the status levels below Diamond have really lost their value. Because of this decision Delta "lost":
$12,000 - Wife and I on LF F Class to Europe
$4,000 - Me in C on KE to ICN
$12,000 - Me in C 3 trips to ICN on UA
$900 - Me SJC - EWR on UA (instead of DL out of SFO)
Do they care about almost $29,000?
$12,000 - Wife and I on LF F Class to Europe
$4,000 - Me in C on KE to ICN
$12,000 - Me in C 3 trips to ICN on UA
$900 - Me SJC - EWR on UA (instead of DL out of SFO)
Do they care about almost $29,000?
(I really don't think they missed your 29K This was from the September earnings press release "Delta’s adjusted operating revenue of $11.8 billion for the September quarter improved eight percent, or $912 million versus the prior year." )
Last edited by Orange County Commuter; Dec 13, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Dec 13, 2018, 4:14 pm
#229
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta Diamond; Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 170
As I have said in other threads I went "free agent" this year instead of chasing Diamond as I have done in the past. I feel the status levels below Diamond have really lost their value. Because of this decision Delta "lost":
$12,000 - Wife and I on LF F Class to Europe
$4,000 - Me in C on KE to ICN
$12,000 - Me in C 3 trips to ICN on UA
$900 - Me SJC - EWR on UA (instead of DL out of SFO)
Do they care about almost $29,000?
$12,000 - Wife and I on LF F Class to Europe
$4,000 - Me in C on KE to ICN
$12,000 - Me in C 3 trips to ICN on UA
$900 - Me SJC - EWR on UA (instead of DL out of SFO)
Do they care about almost $29,000?
> $43,000,000,000.00 in revenue.
Nope.
Dec 13, 2018, 6:04 pm
#230
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,347
I had the opportunity today to experience a UA boarding in ATL for the first time in ages.
Two "lanes," one evidently reserved for First and super elites.
Five "zones," with everyone but Zone 1 boarding through Lane 2. About 2/3 of the flight seemed to be in Zone 3.
It didn't really make more sense than anyone else's process. BUT--the gate agent was amazing. She spoke slowly and clearly, repeated announcements, gave direct orders. She was like a pleasant but firm schoolteacher. "If you're boarding with Zone 3, there's already a line at the back. You need to go all the way to the end and line up." "If you are not Zone 3, remain seated until I call your Zone."
I really think that the way the gate agents make announcements is way more important than the structure of the boarding. They typically mumble and rush, you can't hear them, they don't repeat, they don't instill order in the crowd.
Delta should initiate compulsory speech training for gate agents who are making boarding announcements.
Two "lanes," one evidently reserved for First and super elites.
Five "zones," with everyone but Zone 1 boarding through Lane 2. About 2/3 of the flight seemed to be in Zone 3.
It didn't really make more sense than anyone else's process. BUT--the gate agent was amazing. She spoke slowly and clearly, repeated announcements, gave direct orders. She was like a pleasant but firm schoolteacher. "If you're boarding with Zone 3, there's already a line at the back. You need to go all the way to the end and line up." "If you are not Zone 3, remain seated until I call your Zone."
I really think that the way the gate agents make announcements is way more important than the structure of the boarding. They typically mumble and rush, you can't hear them, they don't repeat, they don't instill order in the crowd.
Delta should initiate compulsory speech training for gate agents who are making boarding announcements.
Dec 14, 2018, 7:06 am
#232
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
This was while I was standing there with my phone boarding pass waiting to go on. I got rattled and lost the Barcode and fumbled with the app to get it back, terrified she was going to snap at me. She wasn’t mean to me but she certainly wasn’t nice, didn’t say my name or the traditional “thank you for being DM” which I usually get esp. if it’s just me boarding.
I was not there to see what precipitated this and maybe he did something really bad before I arrived. What I will say is that in 18 years of flying roughly 1.5M miles and thousands of flights is that I’ve never seen an employee of any travel organization treat a customer this way. I think she would just have to be better than this. I debated complaining with a TTU but it (mostly) didn’t involve me and I don’t like to log a lot of complaints for fear they keep count or think I’m wh*ring around for miles.
So yeah. SEA gate agents. Wow. On top of a really bad incident at Customs trying to do a Global Entry Interview on Arrival, I wouldn’t mind staying away from SEA for a while. Both of those incidents changed my whole perception of the airport.
Last edited by bergamini; Dec 14, 2018 at 7:12 am
Dec 14, 2018, 11:30 am
#233
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,878
I actually had a bizarre gate experience at SEA this week, boarding SEA>MKE on Tue. 11-Dec. There was a guy with two younger girls (4-8 years in age). I had been hanging out in the SkyClub and load was light so it was just that guy with the girls and the GA when I arrived. The GA had her voice raised and was telling the guy “you need to be more responsible and take responsibility for your actions. Stop blaming other people!” And then he tried to say something and she said “don’t even bother trying to talk to me!” I despise conflict and they were going back and forth for a good 2 minutes before I was allowed to board.
This was while I was standing there with my phone boarding pass waiting to go on. I got rattled and lost the Barcode and fumbled with the app to get it back, terrified she was going to snap at me. She wasn’t mean to me but she certainly wasn’t nice, didn’t say my name or the traditional “thank you for being DM” which I usually get esp. if it’s just me boarding.
I was not there to see what precipitated this and maybe he did something really bad before I arrived. What I will say is that in 18 years of flying roughly 1.5M miles and thousands of flights is that I’ve never seen an employee of any travel organization treat a customer this way. I think she would just have to be better than this. I debated complaining with a TTU but it (mostly) didn’t involve me and I don’t like to log a lot of complaints for fear they keep count or think I’m wh*ring around for miles.
So yeah. SEA gate agents. Wow. On top of a really bad incident at Customs trying to do a Global Entry Interview on Arrival, I wouldn’t mind staying away from SEA for a while. Both of those incidents changed my whole perception of the airport.
), but the strong economy has made it very difficult to find people to fill jobs no matter what they are, and so its really the bottom of the barrel they are hiring. Combine this with crowded and filthy terminals, filthy planes, chronic delays waiting for a gate to open (more than half of my flights this year we have waited for a gate - most recent was 45 minutes, turning an early arrival into a late arrival), terrible traffic around and at the airport, I start to wonder is a 3 hour drive to PDX less hassle than a 30 minute drive to SEA?
Dec 14, 2018, 3:37 pm
#234
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 24
Exactly, this is responsible for most of the threads lately on flyertalk about poor service for airlines and hotels.
Dec 14, 2018, 5:58 pm
#235
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM / PC APM / SPG GM / GP PM
Posts: 248
This is a gigantic, unmitigated "F*ck You" to PMs. As a 100k mile/yr PM, who often buys ridiculously expensive last minute coach tickets (when there's no C+ left), and who has no problem making the MQDs each year, if Delta's new line is going to be "WC+BC+," well, ok. I will. But not consistently on Delta.
Now, in particular, Southwest and JetBlue become more attractive options for my last minute tickets.
And if there's basically no consistent benefit to being Platinum, the 20% of the time I buy F, from now on, I'll buy F solely on price and schedule, rather than staying loyal to Delta.
And when I have to travel with my family during the holidays, I'm sure as hell not going through Atlanta if there's a nonstop on another airline.
Why bother with a Platinum and Gold elite tier to your loyalty program if there's basically no benefit to it?
Now, in particular, Southwest and JetBlue become more attractive options for my last minute tickets.
And if there's basically no consistent benefit to being Platinum, the 20% of the time I buy F, from now on, I'll buy F solely on price and schedule, rather than staying loyal to Delta.
And when I have to travel with my family during the holidays, I'm sure as hell not going through Atlanta if there's a nonstop on another airline.
Why bother with a Platinum and Gold elite tier to your loyalty program if there's basically no benefit to it?
Almost all tickets I buy are 24 hours or less, usually if C+ is available its only middle seats.....I've flown SW a couple times this year in order to get direct flights and its not that bad when you buy there business product and get A1-15 boarding.
Dec 14, 2018, 10:05 pm
#237
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,877
I had the opportunity today to experience a UA boarding in ATL for the first time in ages.
Two "lanes," one evidently reserved for First and super elites.
Five "zones," with everyone but Zone 1 boarding through Lane 2. About 2/3 of the flight seemed to be in Zone 3.
It didn't really make more sense than anyone else's process. BUT--the gate agent was amazing. She spoke slowly and clearly, repeated announcements, gave direct orders. She was like a pleasant but firm schoolteacher. "If you're boarding with Zone 3, there's already a line at the back. You need to go all the way to the end and line up." "If you are not Zone 3, remain seated until I call your Zone."
I really think that the way the gate agents make announcements is way more important than the structure of the boarding. They typically mumble and rush, you can't hear them, they don't repeat, they don't instill order in the crowd.
Delta should initiate compulsory speech training for gate agents who are making boarding announcements.
Two "lanes," one evidently reserved for First and super elites.
Five "zones," with everyone but Zone 1 boarding through Lane 2. About 2/3 of the flight seemed to be in Zone 3.
It didn't really make more sense than anyone else's process. BUT--the gate agent was amazing. She spoke slowly and clearly, repeated announcements, gave direct orders. She was like a pleasant but firm schoolteacher. "If you're boarding with Zone 3, there's already a line at the back. You need to go all the way to the end and line up." "If you are not Zone 3, remain seated until I call your Zone."
I really think that the way the gate agents make announcements is way more important than the structure of the boarding. They typically mumble and rush, you can't hear them, they don't repeat, they don't instill order in the crowd.
Delta should initiate compulsory speech training for gate agents who are making boarding announcements.
Slightly less recently but still recent is having only two lanes. There used to be 5 lines, which may sound ridiculous, but did cut down on the main problem people are complaining about when the complain about gate lice which is if you are trying to board in group N and all the people in groups N+ are blocking access to the lanes. I liked this better, but shrug.
Agree that clear announcements and consistent enforcement bring about the best results whatever the method.
Dec 15, 2018, 12:09 am
#238
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,412
I think this is true in many industries, including parts of travel. However, I was under the impression that jobs with big airlines that come with flight benefits were still pretty competitive, especially customer facing jobs like GA's and FA's.
Dec 15, 2018, 4:25 am
#239
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nashville
Programs: DL DM 3 MM AA PLAT HH Lifetime Diamond Marriott Plat AMB lifetime titanium Hertz PC
Posts: 6,187
I really think that the way the gate agents make announcements is way more important than the structure of the boarding. They typically mumble and rush, you can't hear them, they don't repeat, they don't instill order in the crowd.
Delta should initiate compulsory speech training for gate agents who are making boarding announcements.
Dec 15, 2018, 7:00 am
#240
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
New boarding colors showing up on booking
Interesting to see the new, color-coded boarding zones are now being reflected during booking.
