PV_Premier

Delta, apparently. Since their current zone 1 is actually somewhere between zone 3-6 depending on how one counts.

Dare I say it, but I almost *enjoy* the boarding process on WN since it is (1) logical (2) self-policing (3) orderly and (4) usually pretty fast. Plus I get to decide on the fly what is important to me that day -- aisle, window, closest to the front regardless of seat, guarantee of OHB space, etc. And if I can't deal with the possible indignity of a B or C boarding card, I can just buy my way out of it for $15 or $20 a few days in advance with EBCI.

or DL could quit trying to monetize every molecule of the aircraft and give people a reasonable checked baggage allowance by weight while rigorously enforcing existing carryon policy. Will never happen given what they make on bag fees, but a guy can dream. I guess that's another thing I like about WN now that I think about it. Even 20# of weight allowance with a main cabin fare and the repeated invitation to check your bag (a la WN's heavy handed advertising of "bags fly free") would make a big difference in getting wheeled bags out of the cabin. Heck, they could say that a main cabin fare includes a total of 25# of weight allowance regardless of whether it's checked or carryon! Once you surpass that, you're paying an extra cost either per pound or per checked item.

LegalTender

Hooey. "Thank you for being Platinum" each time your BP displays isn't enough?

I know the envy NOT hearing that spawns.

CLTRob

Often1

Anything is fine, so long as:

1. It is enforced and people know that it is enforced. Anybody who tries to scam their way on gets a new BP with a "12" on it and boards after BE.
2. The BP's are simply numbered. Part of the holdup is that people with a "1" on their BP who are not frequent flyers often believe that "1"means they board first. Just number from 1-10.
3, Enforce carry-on limits and charge a penalty fee for gate-checking over-sized scammer bags. Collect it at the baggage office at the destination so GA's don't have to deal with it.

The rest of this is just marketing hype designed to make people feel better when they should not.

AlastairGordon

The CNN story I saw said
"Beginning on January 23, 2019, the airline will ditch zone boarding in favor of a new -- and more complex -- process based on ticket type and color."
and I thought "that sounds a bit racist".
Anyway, I fully support this change as I think those paying for Comfort Plus deserve to board before Platinums. I really do wish they would abolish that "active duty military" nonsense, though. Why should someone in the military get priority over a nurse or paramedic who has stayed up all night saving lives? And the best way to control overhead bin space would be to charge for carry-ons, as Spirit does.

EricThe Actor

I've never understood why people are in such a hurry to board a plane. If your worried about bin space check your bag. I'd rather sit in the lounge tipping one back instead of having my seat bumped by 120 passengers on the way by. To each their own I guess.

Gig103

Yeah, I'm not seeing it either. I don't know if it's because I'm a lowly silver customer but really my interpretation is that this slows down boarding because SkyPry (but not C+) passengers are spread throughout the cabin. By having all the C+ go first (which encompasses many DM/PM) then there will be a bottleneck building on the aircraft when the PMs and SE+ board.

vbjd1111

To me, this reads "it's of no benefit to me given my very specific buying patterns." Which is not the same as saying it affects all other PMs the same way.
Further, as mentioned above, this simply puts you behind the C+ folks, but only when you are not seated in C+. Right now, in that situation, you board in a group that includes exactly the same folks, but with the C+ passengers as well. Where is the "gigantic, unmitigated" issue such that you have "no consistent benefit" or "basically no benefit." You are not putting your carryon in C+ overheads anyway, right?

Sincerely, another PM who often does not get C+ for one reason or another.

Chapie

I remember years ago while flying thru Poland in First, we were escorted from the lounge to the plane once everyone else was seated. As soon as we were seated the doors closed and off we went. No one bumping you, not having to deal with hot/cold planes until engine start. A much better experience in my opine.

PurdueFlyer

This is what happens when everyone in your marketing department has never worked a customer-facing position before in their life.

"1" is the first number in any language. Don't create ump-teen different groups that board before "1." That's part of the problem with the current scheme. Now, the colors complicate things. Plus, if you have a paper boarding pass, those all print in black-and-white. So is my boarding pass going to say the word "plum" on it? Because otherwise the colors are just shading on the GIDS screens, or on the app, and that doesn't require a press release or a policy change.

Interesting RE: PLATS (and I am not one), yes they get C+ for free, but if they aren't already in C+, they are on the airport standby list for it, assuming they didn't opt out. Lets say the GA pages up a PLAT and says "I have a middle in C+ left, or would you rather keep your original seat in the main cabin?" Do you take the middle seat upgrade JUST to get a better boarding group? Or keep your main cabin seat but board later? Doesn't seem very rewarding to make an HVC pick their own poison.

Duke787

Platinum after C+? That's a bit ridiculous

ljreinholt

So now I think the next obvious question is, WHERE and HOW will Passport Plum be used again?!?!

HWGeeks

Delta should just use the two boarding doors for D1 Flights or whenever possible.

vj_rama

I definitely do not feel bad for the "elite" frequent flyers.

I am fortunate to have a relatively normal job and am blessed to be able to travel in premium cabins with my family on the few vacations I get. It's disturbing to me how often people look shocked when we all sit down in first class section - usually because they think we are in the wrong place.

Note to all you angry "elite" flyers - chill out. It's not your plane and not your company. I know it sucks to wait a while to board a plane, but you'll just have to get used to it. The whole concept of rewarding people with "status" for flying coach all the time is silly. It actually goes to people's head and makes them crazy. If i fly a few times a year and am able to afford first, business, or even comfort plus, then tough luck. I pay more money than you so I get to board before you with your silly little medallion card.

Referring to other travellers as "gate lice" sums up how out of touch all of you are. We are all consumers of the same product. Those that pay more get treated better - bottom line.

Take your medallion status and shove it you know where.

fliesdelta

I take back what I said about the Skyclub etiquette thread being the most entertaining one. This one is now at the top of my list.