Like many things (upgrade lottery for instance) it seems like they change the rules AND implementation varies widely depending on gate agent. They REALLY need to pick a policy, advertise it, and have the gate agents actually learn and use it!

Talked to a GA in Atlanta soon after breezeway started and he admitted that it was a problem when they opened breezeway up at the start because places like ATL have SO many medallions that there can easily be 40 people mixed in with the actual first class passangers.

I *believe* the current policy is that they do zone 1 first and only, and THEN open up breezeway... But again seems like each gate agent does their own thing....

Breezeway seems to be working much better just in the past few weeks. I've been in at least 10 airports since April 1 and they're all about the same -- board Zone 1 first, then board the other zones in order, plus Breezeway which starts at zone 2. Even though I'm usually upgraded, I tend to not get to gates to board until about zone 3 or 4 are being called so I always use the Breezeway now. The GAs have been very good about stepping across to get my BP and let me on without waiting. I appreciate the good service.

BTW -- zone 1 sometimes also includes PMs in Y. A few days ago I was in 19C on a 757 and my BP had me in zone 1. I did clear at the gate so didn't need the coach seat, but I liked the zone 1 on my BP nonetheless.

I agree. Zone 1 should be FC pax only...no ifs, ands or buts. When they do the cattle call thing...that's one of the few times where the old cliche, "you get what you pay for" may actually be false.

Sorry...I forgot about the exit rows over the wings since I never go beyond Row 19:)

That is good to hear! I'm flying DL three times in May so we'll see how it goes. I actually suspect it might be moot for me as after getting burned in the past, if I am anywhere near the top of the upgrade list, I am going to WAIT until all of FC has boarded so I know there is NO chance of me upgrading...

It still isn't clear to me how you can tell from GIDs if FC has actually all boarded the plain, and not just "checked in" since they might have done that 24 hours ago but are missing the flight because of connections or took an earlier flight...

Hmm...I might actually discuss this with the CRC people and see what the latest policy is...but I'm going off topic now...

Last two trips through CVG, DAY, ATL, DCA, Breezeway was a random Process. 1st cl first then Breezeway or ignore Breezeway altogether (Ticket reader not manned) or everybody in Group 1 and 2, or I can't remember what were the rules.

Another good idea that will either get fixed or abandoned.

Cheers

Ridiculous. She should not alternate -- take all persons properly in breezeway first.

It's a simple fix, really. Don't open the Breezeway until zone 3. First class boards in zone 1, everyone who's there waiting already with medallion status boards in zone 2, then all the non-medallions start boarding in zone 3. At that point, open the breezeway for medallions who come later.

Easy fix.

Glad DL figured out the error in their ways. What a mess. About 6 weeks ago on a Friday morning 7:00 AM LAX to ATL 767 the GA called Zone1 and BW and more then 100 people started moving toward jetway plus the typical 10 or so in zone 5 or 6 that still try to board with Z1.

I've found Breezeway a hit and miss but is usually better on smaller equipment. The line on the red-eye (767-3) SFO-ATL the other night was absolutely horrid ... "gate lice" - I love that term! When F/Zone 1 was called there was a mad dash of about 5 gabillion pax to the Breezeway line to the point the GA actually restated, "First Class Passengers! Where are you? Everyone else, stand aside!", due to them being blocked. I was a paying F pax (not upgrade) and had to basically muddle through.

I even overheard one (proudly displaying their SM tag) stating "folks need to get with it here" to which I stated, "yes, they do. Everyone is blocking the boarding path. Now please step out of the center of the aisle that you are blocking with you suiter so I may board" :mad:

It was a total cluster ... well ... you know. And ps: I hate those stupid suiters that people try to carry aboard and cram in the overhead taking up an entire bin and then having to pry out like a dead carcass after landing.

Sorry ... stepping off my soapbox now. :rolleyes:

Fortunately, it doesn't matter to me. I always board near the end, even when in FC.

Totally agree.

Another Breezeway wrinkle...
 

A colleague who was flying BWI to ATL yesterday reported the following:

She was in line to board (she's not Medallion herself) and both the regular and Breezeway lines were open. A couple of pax with Breezeway on their boarding passes were told to leave the regular line and go to the back of the Breezeway line. Which they did.

And then it happened to another couple. My colleague said something to the first set of pax (who were in F, so of course she walked by them on her way to her seat) to the effect that they were apparently quite the rabble rousers. A good laugh all around.

Here we go again.

To actually make someone get get out of the regular line to stand in the Breezeway line is silly, especially when both lines are open.

I believe it is the pax responsibility to look at their BP and determine which line to stand in. How hard is that? I consider this just as bad as Zone 7 trying to board in Zone 1....either they're not paying attention, failed to read their BP or were trying to circumvent the longer line.