Relax, the passengers don't "really" want to get off...
Nov 10, 2008, 3:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
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This happens way too often with DL, especially at Atlanta. Surprisingly enough, I haven't experienced this too much at LGA. But then again, the luggage wait at LGA is an entirely different story. 
Nov 10, 2008, 3:36 pm
#17
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I've had issues at JFK with slow ground staff. ATL is a frequent offender as well.
Nov 10, 2008, 3:47 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: A small town in North Georgia
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion, AA
Posts: 1,626
Last month at SMF. the jetway jockey couldn't get the jetway lined up. After several more tries, another guy replaced him. He was even less skilled, and bumped the side of the plane twice. A third guy finally showed up after twenty minutes and did it right the first time. Pax who could see what was going on were all laughing and didn't seem to mind the delay.
Nov 10, 2008, 4:43 pm
#19
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I realize there are actually REAL problems in the world but petty ones deserve a forum also sometimes.
Why is it that it generally takes several minutes from the time the aircraft pulls in and stops into a gate (ding) and the jetway is moved into position so the door can open? I fly Delta 98% of the time but when I have to fly Southwest, I notice that EVERY TIME Southwest has a jetway driver moving the ramp immediately after wheel stop. It's almost like their employees are all on the same team with the same goals in mind you would think. I swear people are disembarquing within 60 seconds of wheel stop on SW.
With Delta, you hear the "ding" and then the airport goes into disarray scramble mode as though no one ever expected your plane to be arriving in the first place. Delta probably knows when their planes take off so do they know that these sames planes will be landing at some point also?
I love Delta but man, SW seems to blow them away when it comes to getting people moving on and off of their planes.
Why is it that it generally takes several minutes from the time the aircraft pulls in and stops into a gate (ding) and the jetway is moved into position so the door can open? I fly Delta 98% of the time but when I have to fly Southwest, I notice that EVERY TIME Southwest has a jetway driver moving the ramp immediately after wheel stop. It's almost like their employees are all on the same team with the same goals in mind you would think. I swear people are disembarquing within 60 seconds of wheel stop on SW.
With Delta, you hear the "ding" and then the airport goes into disarray scramble mode as though no one ever expected your plane to be arriving in the first place. Delta probably knows when their planes take off so do they know that these sames planes will be landing at some point also?
I love Delta but man, SW seems to blow them away when it comes to getting people moving on and off of their planes.
I remember sitting on a plane at CVG while they spent 20 minutes looking for a jetway driver
Only thing worse is waiting on NW RJ for all gate checked bags to be out before letting anyone out of the tin can
Nov 10, 2008, 5:22 pm
#21
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Worst experience ever in that dept. was at CDG this past September. It took 45 minutes to find someone to drive the stairs up the NW A330. When we were due to leave a few hours later on our AF connection to MUC, they couldn't get the stairs away from the plane.
Nov 10, 2008, 5:28 pm
#22
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If I'm flying to D.C., I will continue to take the opportunity to fly through MEM - more miles, quicker turns than ATL, and BBQ to boot. These positives outweigh the aesthetics and fighting to pre-board at MEM.
Nov 10, 2008, 5:56 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BDL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 529
Just please don't tell "the guy" handling the frequent flyer program now -- we don't want him to try and fix it and make it much worse.
Nov 10, 2008, 6:20 pm
#24
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He doesn't "listen" anyway -- not to worry!
Nov 10, 2008, 6:43 pm
#25
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The other day at GSO, the jetway wasn't working to get to where it needed to be for our CRJ. Fortunately, the pilot came out after a minute, asked what the problem was, and told them to move the jetway back away from the plane and we'd deplane using the stairs and walking up the jetway stairs. Big ^ to the captain there (especially since I was on a very tight schedule and was able to make an appointment by about 2 minutes...might have missed it if not for that captain making a smart executive decision).
Nov 10, 2008, 6:49 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
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This thread should be read by all those who try to assure posters that a 35 minute connection should not be problem...
Nov 10, 2008, 8:03 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
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Posts: 2,441
I fly WN frequently and used to fly DL because they were cheaper then CO but got me CO-miles (not anymore).
Some of you might recall my "no more delta for me!" rant coming back from DEN. We reach the airport (TPA I believe - dont recall if i had a layover in ATL) and we sit there waiting and waiting after taxiing off the runway. 45 minutes in total until we finally pull into a gate.
In contrast, because of WN's confidence in their turn around, they often stack departing flights at gates. At an airport like TPA they'll have a plane unloading and loading every 30mins or so at just a few gates while many gates are empty and unused. It's once they do encounter a delay that the other gates start lighting up - and you start seeing their crews run around to get to all the flights. Even when they're having those issues they're still faster then all the other airlines i've encountered.
Keep in mind that WN is also not going to spend much time paging you if you're checked-in but at the bar. Not on the flight by the time stated? Tough, door shut, goodbye.
Nov 10, 2008, 8:33 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 35
As for Southwest, this is another little advantage to having one type of aircraft. The jetway never has to be adjusted for different height aircraft and I'm sure the agents easily get in the groove of pulling up to a 737. Of course, having an agent there ready to go doesn't hurt either. One thing with Delta, the GA's have to wait for the ramp guys to give them the all clear sign before they put the jetway in motion. Oh yeah, did I mention that having an agent there ready to go doesn't hurt either?
Nov 10, 2008, 9:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CVG
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INteresting... I think the longest wait I've ever had was maybe 4 minutes after the chimes.
Nov 10, 2008, 11:51 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MKE
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,241
As to NW, I have never found them to ask people to wait on baggage, even gate checked. Usually, in my experience, they open the door, people without bags can go....it just those of us who are waiting on bags that are waiting a couple more forevers.
Dave