Spiff

Any plans for distribution of restroom passes?

jabez

B747
I,too,have heard about these vouchers as part of many "enhancements" for the medallion program. I've been told that Delta believes that many non-medallions will pay for this benefit.

[This message has been edited by jabez (edited 09-30-2002).]

mikepa

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the high quality of service and etiquette that I observed on the half dozen internal chinese flights I took last year.

FLL2002

I said "New Boarding Procedure" because that's what the gate agent said.

B747-437B

A marketing survery showed that frequent travelers value pre-boarding the most after upgrades. Makes sense that they try and create a revenue stream out of it.

ATLpax

I was on a flight from MSP-ATL last night, and they used this procedure (board First Class, then board everyone else from the back forward). I stood with a group of Medallion passengers nervously apprising the carry-on load of the rows boarding ahead of us (we were all seated towards the front, which didn't seem so much like a benefit at that moment). Luckily, I was able to get both my bag in the overhead. I also assisted a Platinum Medallion in the rearrangement of bins to fit in his bag.

I would agree that the #2 benefit of being a Medallion is early boarding (only behind upgrade privileges). The only reason I care about this is because of overhead room for my bag somewhere NEAR my seat.

TMOTEE

As a frequent int'l traveller in biz or first I have to say that boarding last is definitely the way to go. Why sit on the plane for an extra 30 minutes while the back of a 747 is loaded ? Now for a domestic flight on a single aisle aircraft boarding last would not only sped up the whole process it would be more pleasant for people in FC. FC rushes on board first then has to deal with the rest of the plane pushing past bumping into seats and the FA's cant get thru to serve drinks half the time anyway. Forget the pre-drink if no time. I would much rather walk on the plane, sit down, close the door and go. One major issue is that the FA's need to monitor the bins and make sure nothing is placed in the FC bins.
Medallion members travelling in coach sould get to baord before the rest of coach, no exceptions. This is the only way to get your carry-ons stowed in the overheads. Of course for this whole process to work flights must start boarding 30 minutes prior to departure and sometimes thats not possible (ie late arrival, missing crew etc.) but hey this is just one flyers opinion.

flying chicken

It is common practice on GSP-ATL and ATL-GSP to not bother with Meadallion boarding b/c just about everyone on the flight is a FO, GM or PM. I actually had a GA tell me once that GSP had the highest per capita PM's. I almost beleive it b/c even as a PM it is sometimes impossible to get to F on peak flights

BizJet

Most international aircraft have (all/some of) the premium cabin forward of the main boarding door (767 is one big exception). I like to board early on these to settle in, stow all myself, get everything organized, have a drink, etc. It's a very calm atmosphere with very little traffic since coach class isn't boarding through the aisles.

The 767 BusinessElite cabin durin boarding, though, is quite a zoo. All the coach passengers walking past, FA's trying to pass drinks throughout the cabin, people stowing bags, visiting other passengers somewhere else in the BE cabin, using the lav, etc.

Occupationalhazard

Unless, of course, you formerly offered it to your medallions, gratis. In which case, a non-plat medallion who purchased a K-fare, but loses the upgrade lottery, and is out of the pre-boarding vouchers that DL announced as an "enhancement" to the Skymiles program, while his laptop is being gate-checked b/c all of the overhead space is being taken up by tuba-players on LUser fares, wonders "... am I flying Delta?", while calculating the price differential b/w his K-fare and a ticket on LUV. *grin*

(Note: I may submit the above sentence to the "It was a dark and stormy night" competition!)

On a more serious note, what kind of capacity controls would be in place? Clearly, you can't pre-board an entire plane.

Nickel and diming your better customer is SMB--Simpy Moronic Business.

Later,

O/H

Just Passing Thru

O/H, I've always liked the way you think.

May I suggest "Stimpy Moronic Business" instead? I rather like the image of Kevin Pinto drooling while he spins service reductions as "enhancements" that we, the passengers, "asked for."