Dec 22, 2018, 7:15 pm
New Delta Boarding Process Jan 2019
Dec 11, 2018, 7:21 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 354
My personal takeaway from this is that it's the preamble to PMs losing their C+ at booking "upgrade" benefit, which jives with the new boarding position and DL's repeatedly stated goal of monetizing their seats to the n'th degree. Further supporting is the "new and improved" opportunity to use your miles for seat upgrades to C+ or F.
We will see...
We will see...
Dec 11, 2018, 7:26 pm
#137
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
Dec 11, 2018, 7:35 pm
#138
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 354
Most people can’t pay attention to when they are supposed to board according to their boarding pass so adding in another two layers is supposed to help this?
Also, for first class, boarding LAST would actually be better. If I’m not carrying on then I wait as long as possible. If I have a carry on it’s another story to make sure I get the overhead space.
Also, for first class, boarding LAST would actually be better. If I’m not carrying on then I wait as long as possible. If I have a carry on it’s another story to make sure I get the overhead space.
Dec 11, 2018, 8:23 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
Dec 11, 2018, 8:30 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,349
I answered a question about why someone may want to board early as opposed to waiting towards the end. At my height, even C+ and FC seat pitch is pretty tight and I highly value the space under the seat in front of me to stretch my legs as much as possible. It’s even worse if I get stuck in a regular Y seat. But I still get to board before DMs, so this new policy won’t negatively effect me for now, even if I can recognize that this is a poor policy for other PMs. Have a nice day. 
Dec 11, 2018, 9:25 pm
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
They already have video of the new boarding process in action (some strong language so be advised):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LGe265pwvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LGe265pwvU
YES - in case you missed it, we have a copy of the marketing presentation showing how the boarding works. Gotta watch it.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:46 pm
#143
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
A new idea
I think the airlines should just board people based on price paid, starting with the highest priced ticket. They could line them up at the gate using the value printed on the passengers’ boarding passes. The overhead monitors could count down the dollar amounts like a game show, appealing to the young hip gamers that marketers seem to covet these days. Connecting on a $17,000 ticket to SYD in D1, step to the front! El cheapo ticket purchased from your cousin’s home based travel agency, you have time to visit the rest room and still wait to board.
* mileage award tickets could be assigned the value of one cent per mile, allowing all FT know-it-all’s to proclaim once and for all that DL really did always intend to value miles at one cent a piece.
* mileage award tickets could be assigned the value of one cent per mile, allowing all FT know-it-all’s to proclaim once and for all that DL really did always intend to value miles at one cent a piece.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:51 pm
#144
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
The biggest issue with named boarding groups/zones is that the overwhelming majority of PAX do not know what the ordering is supposed to be. So when boarding starts they are just going to crowd around the gate. The boarding groups/zones need to be SIMPLE. A,B,C,D,E, etc, or 1,2,3,4,5, etc. This new process is just a waste of time and money.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:59 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 22
I actually don't mind this change. As a Plat who buys or is upgraded into D1 or F I can see where Plats might be upset but generally speaking I wonder how many Plats are not in C+ or F? Yes I know there's the last minute purchase but how many per flight I wonder? 1? 2?
To me the Priority line was getting completely out of hand with half the plane in it. This at least gives some sanity to the process.
To me the Priority line was getting completely out of hand with half the plane in it. This at least gives some sanity to the process.
Then I objectively looked at the situation and realized that I only flew main cabin twice this year (and have had 0 upgrades, so 100% of the time paid C+ or FC). Hence, I really won't be affected at all.
It puts a negative taste in my mouth about how Delta values me, but I also realize my spending (about $20k) is peanuts compared to many and that in reality I won't be affected at all since I control my travel as an exec. and can always choose to travel in C+ or FC.
Dec 11, 2018, 10:46 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
IMO this will make gate lice worse. Pissed off PM/GM's will want to get on as soon as they can.
Dec 12, 2018, 12:48 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SEA, SFO, PRG
Programs: UA 1k, Delta Gold
Posts: 77
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.
.
Also, It's more like $45+ for gate upgrade. Any major city EB will get you mid-B aka no Exit rows. What if I want extra legroom or come to gate a bit late?
Southwest is extremely divisive. It's great for non-frequent fliers, families and below average sized people.
Even Delta's colorblind & foreign people hostile (there is no way to explain to non-english speaker the order of SKY+/PREM-/Zone 3 salad) is less divisive than Southwest.
Dec 12, 2018, 1:07 am
#150
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SEA, SFO, PRG
Programs: UA 1k, Delta Gold
Posts: 77
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.
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.
What you don't understand is that people work on the road. It's often not their choice. Every 30 minutes lost per day in baggage claim or to be 10 minutes early at the gate due to Byzantine boarding accumulates to days or weeks of lost time per year. You're not with your kids for a week, because Delta cannot board a plane under 45 minutes.
They couldn't care less about you and Sally and wifey, you can come first on the plane, it doesn't matter. They are "crazy" because another byzantine boondoggle is adding 5,10,15 minutes to their workflow, resulting in a lost week over those 100 segments.
Last edited by danielSuper; Dec 12, 2018 at 1:18 am Reason: typos