Has anyone noticed gate agents skipping over the early boarding for Elite and exit row passenger lately? In my last 8 segments this has happened about 1/2 the time. They call for First Class ONLY, then skip to the back of the plane boarding. One time I actually tried to board assuming that I had just missed it, and was told that I couldn't yet.
Since I'm just Silver, I don't get upgraded all that often (batting 4/8 segments this year) and like getting on early to make sure I get some overhead space (especially when in tourist destinations like LAS yesterday).
Anyone else notice this? Why would they skip over this? Should I just assume that I can board when they call First Class and try it anyway?

I find the boarding process very variable these days. I suspect that they are making some adjustments and will soon find out what the bottom line will be.

What did your silver letter say for boarding privileges in 2003?

I noticed this a week ago in either MKE or MSP on a gate adjacent to my flight - the agent on the intercom said it was to speed boarding because the Elites blocked the aisles.

This is a good and topical point. I noticed this failure to extend early boarding to elites on two (2) of the six (6) segments I flew yesterday.

There has been some "reinforcement" of the boarding procedures lately at LAS so I am curious as to which flight you were taking...
The current policy is to go as follows:
PREBOARDING:
1) Anyone requiring assistance, families
with small children, those requiring
extra time to walk down the jetbridge and
passengers seated in emergency exit rows
(one I personally disagree with).
2) First Class
3) NW/CO/KL Elite members

There should be a noticeable pause between
each phase of the preboarding process.

I will grant you...on some flights we have literally 50+ elite members (the bulk being silver of course) and offering pre-boarding is to all of them is almost a joke...when 1/3+ of the aircraft preboards...things are less than efficient and orderly...that being said...we are still supposed to offer it.
There are some occasions when a flight is running behind and we are trying to make up some time on the ground where offering this privledge counteracts our attempts to board quickly and get the plane back in the air...in cases such as that, I usually offer the opportunity to preboard with the plea for those not necessarily requiring it to wait until their row has been called to speed up the process (the guilt trip! )

The NW staff in Las Vegas does an awesome job -- the last two times I've flown NW, they executed the boarding process flawless. However, their efforts were negated by lengthy mechanical delays -- which they did not handel that well ("I'm sorry Mr. Patent, the delay's only been four hours - not long enough to get a comp booklet ). Dang contracted maintenance...

[This message has been edited by IndustrialPatent (edited 02-24-2003).]

I think it has to do with the type of equipment you flew. NW's new 753 adds a bunch more rows and takes even longer to board than usual. As a result, gate agents are not calling for elite-boarding; just first and coach in order to streamline the boarding process.

Indeed, my flight (LAS-DTW) was delayed by about 45 min because of late arrival of the plane. That probably explains it.

Boarding was, in fact, quite orderly and proceeded quickly for a very, very full flight. While I enjoy the perk of being able to board at my leisure, I have noticed as was stated, that so many people qualify to pre-board now, it's almost a moot point sometimes. Furthermore, I'd much rather get underway on time than board early and leave late, so if the GA thinks that will move things along, I'm all for it. My original post wasn't as much a complaint (even though now that I re-read it, it sure sounds like it), as much as a question of etiquette and policy.

I think I did read in the Elite benifits information that when things are running behind they may not allow elites to board early. I like the way that Vegas has said she does this--offer it but encourage it not be used unless necessary, this also gives people the hint to hustle a bit. I have also heard gate agents announce that they are not boarding elites early due to a delay. It seems part of the "reinforcement" should be to simply let elites know what is going on in this situation, so that we don't simply blame it on mis or uninformed ground crew. I have found often that pax are generally pretty willing to put up with inconviences if they know the crew is trying to enhance the "greater good"

On a related note--I have noticed on many flights (esp. on tourist routes/times) that as soon as preboard is called, non-preboarding pax start to crowd around the gate in anticipation. I am often uncertain whether these are pre-board pax or simply people in the way, and while not wanting to barge in front of a pre-boarder, I certainly don't want to wait behind a pax who (inappropriately imho) is standing in the way. Has anyone found a way to deal with this issue?

Yes. I walk around the line and visually inspect the line of people who are being "processed" onto the plane and then follow the line back until there is a noticeable gap/break in the line. I then ask if the next person is line. Most times, s/he is not, and I walk in there.