Repooc17

Was on a Delta regional ex-ORD last week, and we boarded according to regular boarding groups.

gbdbld

Currently on a flight LGA-MCO, 100% full, boarding was still back to front. Gate at LGA was like a zoo

MCO Flyer

Was there any overhead bin space issues onboard or did the GA mention the possibility of needing to force gate check any bags?

gbdbld

Yeah the GA asked people to gate check their bags before boarding started and some did. Didn’t see anyone having to force check bags in the cabin, not sure about the gate.

ohhleary

Was on DFW-LGA last night in C+. Boarded back to front and GA specifically called out C+ passengers to wait and board last. I didn't need the overhead bin, thankfully, but the ones over C+ were full and closed when we boarded. My seatmate did and he did his best to shove his bag halfway under the seat and hoped no one would notice. (No one did, which isn't surprising since the crew also couldn't be bothered to keep bins specifically marked for C+ empty until we boarded.)

kavok

I have some flights booked for early June where I will need my carry with me, and don’t want to risk gate checking it.

I am tempted to move my seat selection to the back of the plane to be safe, as I think my chances of an F upgrade are fairly low. But I would also really prefer not to sit in the “back of the bus.”

Have there been any announcements on when the process may revert to normal? Very frustrating that non-DM elites and others essentially have to board last currently.

The Situation

Boarding was a complete disaster yesterday. There were swarms of gate lice. They did not ask F to board until they got through the first few groups. About half the cabin boarded then and by that time they were already making announcements that all overhead space behind row 24 was full. By the time bulkhead F pax boarded all the bins were full and they filled the closet and squished everyone's luggage together to make room. Pax in F were storing bags well into C+ which made deplaning loads of fun.

MCO Flyer

This is absolutely ridiculous! It’s time to start complaining to DL directly about this nonsense! Why should I pay Ed’s “premium” as an “elite” if I’m forced to board last and wait on hold for 4 hours if I need to get ahold of anyone at DL. There is absolutely NO reason why elites shouldn’t be getting priority boarding right now and a new study came out a few days ago stating B-T-F boarding actually INCREASES the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 onboard so this has nothing to do with safety and is pure incompetency! (https://www.aviationpros.com/airline...nt-study-shows)

There have been no announcements on any potential changes. I assumed that BTF boarding would end with seat blocking especially since DL said they have removed all “social distancing” decals from gates, SCs, etc but it appears this was not the case. I would just board first if you really need the Overhead bin space as I doubt the GA will turn you away but it’s ridiculous as breaking the boarding process is only going to cause more gate lice and chaos at the gate.

MCO Flyer

It’s time to complain to Delta about this, this is unacceptable! I was on a few flights where they didn’t even call F/DMs to board first and it lead to chaos and many disobeyed the order and boarded when all the pax sitting in the back of the aircraft did, leading to mass crowding at the gate (and this was while seat-blocking was still in affect)!

kavok

I have some flights booked for early June where I will need my carry on with me, and don’t want to risk gate checking it.

I am now tempted to move my seat selection to the back of the plane to be safe, as I think my chances of an F upgrade are fairly low. But I would also really prefer not to sit in the “back of the bus.”

Have there been any announcements on when the boarding process may revert to normal? Very frustrating that non-DM elites and others essentially have to board last currently, while basic economy pax are awarded bin space.

cmd320

Just board anyway. They're highly unlikely to turn you away. If they do, just say you need extra time and were late arriving from the lounge.

MCO Flyer

It’s pretty sad we are having to revert to this. Sadly the OP won’t be the only one doing this and many fellow medallions/C+ pax will do the same thing, leading to mass crowding of the gate whenever the first group is called (wether it’s FC or the back rows). It’s time to go back to the old boarding order.

DCAproducer

My first trip of the month is tomorrow. Fortunately I got both of my F upgrades, but I plan on submitting a complaint through DL.com about boarding zones. And anyone paying for a DL Amex should call Amex and complain since early boarding is a published benefit.

Bring back the boarding pillars.

MCO Flyer

Even being in F isn’t guaranteed to get called to board first these days! I was on a few flights where the GA never called FC to board first and started with the last row and it sounds like other have reported the same here!

rylan

Might as well just join the gate lice and board when they start the cattle call for rows 30 and higher.