The boarding process does matter...
 

On Monday, 1/16, I flew TUS-ABQ. I arrived at the airport plenty early and was sitting in the gate area when the gate agent called for boarding flight 2953 and in the next breath had 1-30 start boarding before most folks even had a chance to line up. I rushed over to board frustrated that my A19 was had been essentially rendered meaningless. I have never experienced this before. It appeared to me that someone must have been in a hurry (pilot? FA? GA?) as the door was closed by 18:20 for a scheduled 18:30 departure.

I contacted customer service to complain and was brushed off and told it would be passed on "to the appropriate department." I have left a message for the station manager but have not heard back.

I am curious if any others have had similar experiences. In this situation if I had paid for BS, I would have demanded a refund. When preferred boarding is one of the only perks, it's disappointing when that is devalued or taken away.

Once (out of 100 to 200 flights) I saw boarding follow the call by 30 seconds, but that was a case where the call came long after almost everyone had lined up on their own.

I fly WN out of TUS more or less every week. I've seen them do this from time to time, usually if the flights are empty. TUS is not like LAS or PHX or other stations where they give you 30 minutes of warning and the herd starts lining up before the plane is on the ground. Usually they make the announcement once people start getting off.

If everyone's there and accounted for, why sit around? That's the beauty of TUS--they'll often push early if they can.

Happens to me all the time, usually with connecting flights using BS fares. I think its safe to buy food or run to the bathroom and suddenly we're up to family boarding rendering my BS or A List "high A" moot. Also been happening at large stations like MDW and BWI with tight 20 or 30 minute connections and the gates are on opposite sides of the airport. Amazed my bag makes it. Oh well...

But why is it necessry to disrespect the boarding order? When I worked for AA, boarding a nearly empty flight was quick and easy. We still respected the proper boarding order and got the plane off 10 minutes early.

If I had paid for EBCI, I would be writing a complaint letter to WN and the FAA.

They didn't. The OP said they called A1-30.

To be quite honest, I find it silly that someone is complaining that they weren't able to board at A19 for a 35 minute flight....

It's not about missing a great seat (there were quite a few through passengers). It's not about leaving early - I'm all for that. Whether it was disrespect, disregard or carelessness, it effectively took away one of the few perks of having A-list status.

I wasn't expecting sympathy just trying to learn if this is a widespread practice. It was the first time I had seen this happen.

The FAA? Why?

I think FormerAA meant DOT..Department Of Transportation, is where passengers lodge their complaints.

It happens at BUR. Even worse, is when the PA doesn't work (~25% of the time on Mon morning). If you aren't right there you might miss the A group - I make a point of sitting/standing close to the gate because of this.