Controversial: 'priority boarding' in SH is broken
Mar 14, 2017 | 12:50 pm
#121
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 3,373
CX manage perfectly well with four queues: F/DM/Emerald, J/GO/Sapphire, Y+/Silver/Green/Ruby, and Y.
AA manage pretty well with up to 9 boarding groups. Even with a crowded boarding area, I have always been able to get through with a Zone 1 boarding pass.
This stuff is not beyond the wit of man, but it relies on a company recognizing the value in it.
AA manage pretty well with up to 9 boarding groups. Even with a crowded boarding area, I have always been able to get through with a Zone 1 boarding pass.
This stuff is not beyond the wit of man, but it relies on a company recognizing the value in it.
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:06 pm
#122
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Glasgow or London or elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold for Life, Lufthansa Senator, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 225
CX manage perfectly well with four queues: F/DM/Emerald, J/GO/Sapphire, Y+/Silver/Green/Ruby, and Y.
AA manage pretty well with up to 9 boarding groups. Even with a crowded boarding area, I have always been able to get through with a Zone 1 boarding pass.
This stuff is not beyond the wit of man, but it relies on a company recognizing the value in it.
AA manage pretty well with up to 9 boarding groups. Even with a crowded boarding area, I have always been able to get through with a Zone 1 boarding pass.
This stuff is not beyond the wit of man, but it relies on a company recognizing the value in it.
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:07 pm
#123
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I think we've done enough AA Zone 1 boarding to state that it always works, even in the midst of the rare IRROPS/delays we've enountered on both long- and short-haul sectors. Whereas BA Ground Agents in UK generally seem to struggle with the basic concepts.
BA seems to have an endemic reluctance to enforce its own rules on boarding, and indeed carry-on limits, in the UK. Yet, at LAX, IAD and CPT, the local staff (IME) seem to manage it pretty well.
Is it a problem caused by British reticence, as well as Management failing to issue clear instructions/training?
BA seems to have an endemic reluctance to enforce its own rules on boarding, and indeed carry-on limits, in the UK. Yet, at LAX, IAD and CPT, the local staff (IME) seem to manage it pretty well.
Is it a problem caused by British reticence, as well as Management failing to issue clear instructions/training?
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:20 pm
#124
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Surrey UK
Programs: BA GGL Avis Presidents Club, Lay & Wheeler Lifetime GGL*
Posts: 140
I think we've done enough AA Zone 1 boarding to state that it always works, even in the midst of the rare IRROPS/delays we've enountered on both long- and short-haul sectors. Whereas BA Ground Agents in UK generally seem to struggle with the basic concepts.
BA seems to have an endemic reluctance to enforce its own rules on boarding, and indeed carry-on limits, in the UK. Yet, at LAX, IAD and CPT, the local staff (IME) seem to manage it pretty well.
Is it a problem caused by British reticence, as well as Management failing to issue clear instructions/training?
BA seems to have an endemic reluctance to enforce its own rules on boarding, and indeed carry-on limits, in the UK. Yet, at LAX, IAD and CPT, the local staff (IME) seem to manage it pretty well.
Is it a problem caused by British reticence, as well as Management failing to issue clear instructions/training?
Finnair use the Group system and this was rigorously policed at LHR on Monday and has been on the few flights I've done with them.
I have found that once I have lowered my expectations these are routinely met in most cases though the current fad for wandering around trying to check compliant carry ons seems another oppportinity to be disappointed - I know checking a bag would make this easier but would also cost me 15-20 per flight which adds up over a year.
Any change is challenging to implement but those inconsistently applied simply create potential confusion and irritation and enhance my patience
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:25 pm
#125
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: US of A
Programs: Delta Diamond, United 1K, BA Blue, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,786
That's a fine theory, but it doesn't work in practice as it isn't managed properly - and I doubt it could be on a quick turnaround flight with c150 seats.
If there were separate queues for each category of cardholder and they were taken in order then it might work, but that's totally impractical. What you have instead is a build up of people who are entitled to priority but (I assume) don't have lounge access build up in a sort of Ryanair-style queue at the FastTrack and it is very difficult for Golds/Emeralds to get to the front to get the priority they are meant to have (and so on).
It is very rarely done "correctly" (i.e. with status card holders called in order, and those without the right status asked to stand aside) but in any case that can be quite embarrassing, even if those who should stand aside do.
It seems incredibly easy to get a Bronze card and on busy domestic and other SH routes there are just too many to make this is sensible way to reward them. LH is a totally different matter in my view.
I appreciate this is a first world problem, but the way it works (or rather doesn't) at the moment makes people feel they are entitled to something and then makes them feel cheated when they don't really get it. Priority needs to mean something for it to be a valuable benefit and the way BA operate it just now devalues it for their best customers. I appreciate you take a different view so, as I said a bit further up the thread, let's agree to differ!
If there were separate queues for each category of cardholder and they were taken in order then it might work, but that's totally impractical. What you have instead is a build up of people who are entitled to priority but (I assume) don't have lounge access build up in a sort of Ryanair-style queue at the FastTrack and it is very difficult for Golds/Emeralds to get to the front to get the priority they are meant to have (and so on).
It is very rarely done "correctly" (i.e. with status card holders called in order, and those without the right status asked to stand aside) but in any case that can be quite embarrassing, even if those who should stand aside do.
It seems incredibly easy to get a Bronze card and on busy domestic and other SH routes there are just too many to make this is sensible way to reward them. LH is a totally different matter in my view.
I appreciate this is a first world problem, but the way it works (or rather doesn't) at the moment makes people feel they are entitled to something and then makes them feel cheated when they don't really get it. Priority needs to mean something for it to be a valuable benefit and the way BA operate it just now devalues it for their best customers. I appreciate you take a different view so, as I said a bit further up the thread, let's agree to differ!
We can agree to disagree, but I still do not see why Bronze/Ruby pax should miss out on a benefit simply because of BA's incompetence/unwillingness to manage things properly. It's a slippery slope that encourages BA to cut benefits to save costs -- which is ultimately to the detriment of pax -- instead of improving operations.
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:37 pm
#126
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Surely it is blindingly simple, as has been said so often on so many similar Threads ...
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
1. Call Gold/F/whatever.
2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
For Heaven's sake, it's so bloody simple. Instead, what do you get? The whole lot gets gabbled out in one sentence, so everyone vaguely entitled surges forward and any sense of priority is immediately lost.2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
Mar 14, 2017 | 1:54 pm
#127
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,379
Surely it is blindingly simple, as has been said so often on so many similar Threads ...
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
1. Call Gold/F/whatever.
2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
For Heaven's sake, it's so bloody simple. Instead, what do you get? The whole lot gets gabbled out in one sentence, so everyone vaguely entitled surges forward and any sense of priority is immediately lost.2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
But Waterside has a hundred smart people thinking up wizard wheezes like taking flowers out of loos, and a sole member of the Socialist Worker Party tasked with improving the premium experience...
Tell me it ain't true
Mar 14, 2017 | 2:11 pm
#128
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH DIAMOND, AVIS Presidents Club, Karahi Express
Posts: 1,229
I agree with T8191. But also the passengers are the Problem. Every week ... i see them show up at the priority line with their large carry on suitcase and a Laptop case. One has clearly been tagged with the yellow tag for under the seat. They do not join the Queue but hover around the front of it ... Men and Women ... proudly showing their Bronze, Silver, Gold Tags. And THEN Queue Jump !! Argh ... And then proceed to put both pieces of carry on in the Overheads. ...?
Mar 14, 2017 | 2:26 pm
#129
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Glasgow or London or elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold for Life, Lufthansa Senator, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 225
I agree with T8191. But also the passengers are the Problem. Every week ... i see them show up at the priority line with their large carry on suitcase and a Laptop case. One has clearly been tagged with the yellow tag for under the seat. They do not join the Queue but hover around the front of it ... Men and Women ... proudly showing their Bronze, Silver, Gold Tags. And THEN Queue Jump !! Argh ... And then proceed to put both pieces of carry on in the Overheads. ...?
Mar 14, 2017 | 2:41 pm
#130
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 254
Surely it is blindingly simple, as has been said so often on so many similar Threads ...
1. Call Gold/F/whatever.
2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
For Heaven's sake, it's so bloody simple. Instead, what do you get? The whole lot gets gabbled out in one sentence, so everyone vaguely entitled surges forward and any sense of priority is immediately lost.
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
1. Call Gold/F/whatever.
2. WAIT until they have come forward.
3. Call Silver/CE .. and WAIT
4. Call Bronze ... and WAIT.
5. Call the rest.
For Heaven's sake, it's so bloody simple. Instead, what do you get? The whole lot gets gabbled out in one sentence, so everyone vaguely entitled surges forward and any sense of priority is immediately lost.
And do some sensible signage, while you're at it ... at Shoulder level, not down at knee level, so that people can see it in the throng. Forget the artistic small fonts ... use BIG LETTERS!
OMG, it's so bloody simple a schoolboy could organise it better.
Mar 14, 2017 | 2:42 pm
#131
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: LH SEN/BA Gold (headed to Blue)/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 6,524
How long do you think the 'Turn-around' times are !. An A319 turn time is 32mins, which includes Disembark, cleaning, catering, security check and onload. The outstations can just about manage it (LHR consistently gets no where near it), but anything like you suggest will just prolong the 'Turn-around' time.
Mar 14, 2017 | 4:17 pm
#132
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 935
How long do you think the 'Turn-around' times are !. An A319 turn time is 32mins, which includes Disembark, cleaning, catering, security check and onload. The outstations can just about manage it (LHR consistently gets no where near it), but anything like you suggest will just prolong the 'Turn-around' time.
Mar 14, 2017 | 8:30 pm
#133
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 254
If LHR are consistently no-where near it then I would suggest that the 32mins is not a realistic target for that airport, regardless of how boarding is (not) managed.
Mar 14, 2017 | 8:56 pm
#134
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,357
Flew 4 AA flights last week under their new scheme - no problem what so ever. Very clear Comms from the podium - it worked.
Mar 14, 2017 | 9:10 pm
#135
Moderator: The British Airways Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & South (really far South)!
Programs: BA GfL, M&M Senator, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,774
Having just flown a load of sectors in the US, I think AA have got the boarding process down to a fine art - and more importantly they send people away that are not in the Group they have just called.
That said - on the flight to Paris yesterday the lady was turning folks away that were not Club Europe or Gold - lots of unhappy folks, including queue jumpers but we still got away early on a full flight so it can be done!!
To be honest it was about the only thing BA got right yesterday for me - AA have upped their game significantly, and will get my business if I can give it to them in future!
Aks120
That said - on the flight to Paris yesterday the lady was turning folks away that were not Club Europe or Gold - lots of unhappy folks, including queue jumpers but we still got away early on a full flight so it can be done!!
To be honest it was about the only thing BA got right yesterday for me - AA have upped their game significantly, and will get my business if I can give it to them in future!
Aks120