HIDDY

Flew FRA-EZE the other day in J.

I had read that compared to the likes of BA LH were damn good at priority boarding so it came as a big surprise when the whole process ended up being a complete shambles.
Boarding was to start at 09.35 from Gate B25 so we stood in the priority lane waiting to board. 09.35 came and went then a call was made that boarding was delayed for twenty minutes...we went and found a seat. A call came twenty minutes later informing us that a further delay of fifteen minutes was expected.
Eventually a call was made for pax with kids and the infirm to start boarding and we joined the priority line.Things started moving but only with the Y pax soon followed by us. Little did I know that this was only a document check we were going through and after that we were merged in with the Y pax to get our BPs scanned. Only one agent was scanning a fairly full 747 and it took forever to finally get through and on to the aircraft - an Irish fellow in front of me made a comment to the agent about being short staffed seeing as only one agent was dealing with the BP scanning of a 747....she wasn't amused.
We eventually left well over one hour late some of which must have been caused by the slow boarding procedure.

SleepOverGreenland

I don't understand, why it is so important to be the first on board for such a long flight.

On a second note, the boarding procedure has likely no influence at all on the delay. Seems, the aircraft was delayed anyway and so probably missed the initial slot. So they had to ask for the next available slot and stepped through the processes in order to meet that one.

Was once on a flight, where one pax (as usual) didn't find his way to the plane, so unloading of his checked luggage was required. Therefore we missed the slot and got the next available slot 2 hours later.

Rambuster

I fully agree, FRA boarding procedures can be a complete shambles at times.
Hope you had a good flight to EZE anyway !
Does Pucci know you flew Lufty ? Hairbrush coming your way ?

HIDDY

For me, no importance whatsoever but why have a priority boarding lane when in actual fact it wasn't?
I would have just taken a seat until everyone else had boarded if they had told me that they would be funnelling all passengers through the same BP check. I can only guess that they were short staffed hence only the one poor sod dealing with well over two hundred passengers.

HIDDY

She's gone AWOL.

Flight was okay but nothing out of the ordinary...all in a forthcoming trip report. I must say I do like the option of the LH day flight westbound.

macabus

Although I've heard boarding at FRA can be a nightmare, all five of my trips there have been in or out on LH F, so I had the FCT and a car transfer to the aircraft.

It's too bad you weren't able to upgrade, but how was the flight to EZE in J?

HIDDY

Not too keen on the seat I have to say. The crew were very nice though - alas the food like most J cabin food nowadays is just economy food served up on china plates. Still although we arrived at EZE an hour late we arrived safely which is the main thing. ^

awestphal

The separate doc check / BP check in LH is one the things why I prefer MUC to FRA.

My experience with FRA boarding is quite diverse: From very relaxed with multiple agents to HIDDY's experience. Somehow I have the impression that boarding to Asia / South America is all over the place while TATL flights are better off (except SQ 25, of course .

macabus

A safe arrival is very good indeed.

A bit OT, but how was the TG flight? Did you get the new F? How was the food, drinks, service?

I can't wait around for the trip report...

Bob'sYourUncle

Uhm, flights to South America are TATL...

HIDDY

The flight was fine. I'm not one to get too excited about flying in F and to be honest after the fantastic ground experience it was always going to be a hard act to follow.
Must say compared to the BA F cabin the TG cabin was much more relaxing having only 10 seats against BAs 14. I would have much preferred the original midday flight we were booked on however. I find leaving near midnight I'm just too tired after a long day to enjoy it to the full. No complaints though and would do it again.

weero

The socialist boarding procedures of LH are a constant source of grievance for me - being trained by North American carriers to be on board as early as possible to get a seat and overhead space.

So LH trained me thoroughly to board well after the "last call" annoucement as otherwise you have to queue behind all the folks with a sense of entitlement - people who are more than 50 years old or have an 18 year old kid, know someone in a wheelchair, or have an injured finger.

weero

Because the gate areas in FRA are smelly, crowded, and barren of offerings perhaps?

sentom

thats why you stay in the lounge as long as possible...

RoaminRoman

I transfer often in FRA and, although I generally like the airport, I do find the boarding procedures to be annoying. The airport wasn't built with priority boarding in mind. It was even worse before I became SEN and could use the lounges.