Well, maybe I'm a total jerk, but I use the breezeway, love it, and do not mind shouldering my way through the masses (after waiting until the last minute in the CRC) to take advantage of the perk. If I get nasty looks or a word from a non-elite passenger, I smile and say, "It actually pays to be a frequent flier sometimes." If the GA is over on the "normal" side, I stand on the breezeway side, hold out my BP and clear my throat a little.

Two weeks ago I went through the breezeway in ATL for the first time. In each case it was late in the boarding process and I was able to stroll right to the front of the line through an ampty breezeway. And in each case the GA made an exceptional effort to hold up the "regular" line to take my boarding pass, and did so without really inconveniencing anyone. VERY good perq.

Agree that it's one of those welcome extras...just like an upgrade, however, one can always refuse...
Wait in line, sit in coach, your choice.

This is an excellent perk for Medallions and I for one do not have an issue using it! ^

ok, I used it today on my upgraded flight. Yes, spent extra time cin the Crown Room and "Breezed" by gate check-in only to encounter a line half way up the jet way. They were calling Zone 6 when I "Breezed" right into the traffic jam.

For what it's worth.

I just have to laugh, shake my head and step right in front of em.

Flying ATL to TPA this past Friday. Caught an earlier flight with same day confirmation. Got the bulk head aisle just behind FC. I stepped into the Breezeway line after FC was called and all had passed through. Wanted to board as early as possible to ensure an overhead (due to bulkhead).

As I'm waiting for Zone 2 to be called, this guy walks right past me and pulls his bag in front of me, avoids eye contact and is holding his BP. I ask, "are you in First?". "No", he says. So I pulled myself and my bag right around in front of him. Even before Breezeway, I've had jerks pull these same maneuvers. Never ceases to amaze me the nerve some Medallions have.

Travel safe!

Anyone know if they officially also allow Flying Colonels to use it? I don't fly DL much these days, but I have the card from a while ago and it doesn't expire. It got me early boarding BOS/PBI/BOS last month, but that wasn't Breezeway. (I suspect it would work even without an official policy; just wondering if there's anything written about it.)

BTW, I've seen this system work extremely well on Japan Airlines. Perhaps their customers are more disciplined than Delta's, though.

So, if you qualify for the breezeway you still have to wait for your zone to be called if you're not in zone 1?

Breezeway isn't meant to be used during Zones 1-3, since the only people in these zones (generally; Row 10 on 737s and MD-80s I know are Zone 1) are first class and elites. The real purpose of Breezeway is to cut the lines during Zones 4-9, which are non-elite zones.

Concourse E (CRJ/prop city!) in SLC has a Breezeway in front of every desk, making for an awful lot of signs down the row!! Have never seen anyone use them there.

Seems a little silly as the boarding of a full CRJ takes 10 minutes tops and there is always plenty of overhead because most of us relinguish our carry-on at plane side.

No, but you should wait until after Zone 1 has boarded. If you are in FC, you don't need Breezeway until they start calling other zones. And if you are in coach, you should not be pushing ahead of other Medallions (Zones 2,3).

My personal feeling is this.

Class of Travel Which Lane to Use
F Regular lane if only Zone 1 is boarding.
F Breezeway OK if zones other than 1 are boarding.
Y Regular lane if Zone 2 or 3 are boarding.
Y Breezeway OK once Zone 4 or above has been called.

Breezeway is not intended to get you on board BEFORE you would normally be allowed to board; it is there to expedite your boarding if you missed your normal boarding time, like if you are running late or stayed in the CRC.

Yesterday in ATL, I was boarding my flight and noticed that the Breezway carpeting was to the right of the regular boarding lane, but the Breezeway sign indicated that the left lane was the Breezeway lane. No one was using Breezeway, anyway. I pointed out the discrepancy to the GA as a point of information. He was clueless.

I have been flying 5-6 DL flights a week lately and haven't seen the Breezeway used yet. It doesn't do much for me as a perk.

On the other hand, since I get stuck flying a lot of RJs out of CVG and other cities, I hate when the gate agents announce boarding for a flight "all zomes may board now". They don't board by zones or allow medallions to board first.

Ah. Makes sense but it would make more sense if they would clarify it like you did. Case in point, I was flying out of ATL a couple of weeks ago and both lines were forming while the plane was being cleaned. I really didn't know which line to get in since I was flying F in zone 1.

There were 2 gate agents discussing the breezeway loud enough for most of us to hear. One said that he hated it, thought it was a stupid idea, all passengers were "special", blah blah, that when he's doing the boarding he just ignores it and will continue to do so until...

I didn't hear the last part but I'm assuming he meant until he got in trouble for it.

I thought it was a silly idea before I even saw it in action. Now, after seeing it in action a few times, I am completely baffled. Half of the time, it isn't being used correctly, or at all. I have always wondered why so many people like to get on the plane as early as possible. Why is it a luxury to be the first on the plane? Who wants to sit there for 30 min longer than you have to?
Jaas