Sad EBCI work-round?
Jun 4, 2019, 7:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Houston (HOU/IAH)
Programs: WN, UA, DL, AA, Chase UR, Amex MR
Posts: 2,267
It's funny how the "it doesn't matter" crowd always seem to interpret the situation to benefit them. If it truly didn't matter you would think it would be more random. Of course, this goes for all aspects of life and not just the WN boarding process.
Jun 5, 2019, 2:14 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 17
WN GA's really don't care. They ignore it, or worse, acknowledge it but allow it with "Ok, but next time.." . They only care about getting the flight out. They have gotta-get-there-itis for the point of turn around where it's no longer their problem.
I have been in similar situations, once where A50 something was trying to board with the A20's. Warned the GA and still..nothing.
I have been in similar situations, once where A50 something was trying to board with the A20's. Warned the GA and still..nothing.
Jun 5, 2019, 3:52 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
WN GA's really don't care. They ignore it, or worse, acknowledge it but allow it with "Ok, but next time.." . They only care about getting the flight out. They have gotta-get-there-itis for the point of turn around where it's no longer their problem.
I have been in similar situations, once where A50 something was trying to board with the A20's. Warned the GA and still..nothing.
I have been in similar situations, once where A50 something was trying to board with the A20's. Warned the GA and still..nothing.
Jun 5, 2019, 10:10 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,435
On the other hand at BUR, I've seen a number of passengers yanked out of line by the agent and told to "stand here until it's your turn!"
On one flight I saw it happen three times. I was like B7, and this happened as the A31-60:s were boarding and one bozo was still standing there when I boarded. The agent was none too pleasant with these people either. He was asking people if they count "35, 36, 48?"
But mostly I've seen the line self-police. People get to their zone of 5, ask someone their number and line up in front or behind accordingly. In the case cited by the OP, ime, #19 would simply have stepped in front of her, as would every other person with a lower number than hers.
On one flight I saw it happen three times. I was like B7, and this happened as the A31-60:s were boarding and one bozo was still standing there when I boarded. The agent was none too pleasant with these people either. He was asking people if they count "35, 36, 48?"
But mostly I've seen the line self-police. People get to their zone of 5, ask someone their number and line up in front or behind accordingly. In the case cited by the OP, ime, #19 would simply have stepped in front of her, as would every other person with a lower number than hers.
Jun 6, 2019, 10:28 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HOU, IAH
Programs: WN A-List, CP, Marriott Gold
Posts: 67
Just to clarify...I (the OP) am A-list and, therefore, was not an EBCI purchaser... Had I been, I may have escalated to issue in some manner.
Last edited by acasteve; Jun 6, 2019 at 3:30 pm Reason: spelling error
Jun 6, 2019, 11:20 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 17
I think "Everyone does it" is a poor defense. And of course, in the case of WN seating is on a first come, first served basis so the impact is worse than a few more carry-on bags.
Jun 6, 2019, 5:35 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred + CP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 19
I was on a flight from BOS to DAL a few weeks ago and the gate agent literally wouldn't let people scan their boarding passes unless they were in the exact order. Like she would say "no, A21 is next, you're 28 so wait here." She's the real MVP
Jun 7, 2019, 8:01 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Peoria
Programs: Southwest, Best Western Gold, La Quinta, Dollar
Posts: 819
Jun 7, 2019, 10:06 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,565
I would understand the "clump of 5" misordering but not the "all 1-30 are equal" bit.
Personally, I don't make a bit deal out of exact order when I'm A-list. My target seat is usually an SFC aisle. If I board with A-anything, it's there waiting for me. I would not cut the line earlier than my number, but I sometimes go a little later if I can't be bothered to fight the crowd to get to my exact spot in the queue. (e.g., I'm A20 but just hang around behind A30 and board then.)
It's when I'm B30 that I become a lot more sensitive about the order. That's when it actually could matter. Not when you're in A.
Personally, I don't make a bit deal out of exact order when I'm A-list. My target seat is usually an SFC aisle. If I board with A-anything, it's there waiting for me. I would not cut the line earlier than my number, but I sometimes go a little later if I can't be bothered to fight the crowd to get to my exact spot in the queue. (e.g., I'm A20 but just hang around behind A30 and board then.)
It's when I'm B30 that I become a lot more sensitive about the order. That's when it actually could matter. Not when you're in A.
Jun 7, 2019, 12:12 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 17
Write WN a kudos letter for her. This behavior needs to be encouraged.
Jun 7, 2019, 12:37 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Did you give her a dozen kick tail tickets?
Jun 10, 2019, 12:23 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,770
Exactly. This is part of their job and they need to do it instead of being lazy. It doesn't delay the flight given that it takes longer for people to stuff their carry-on in the overheads (minutes) than it does to pull someone out of line and make him wait for his turn to board (seconds).
Jun 10, 2019, 9:38 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 52,565
I like the behavior - to a point. If someone is clearly trying to cheat, trying to just jump in with a B or C boarding card when they know they shouldn't be there, then call them out. But as someone who is often the A21 perfectly happy to board after A30 because I don't feel like fighting through a scrum to get exactly between A20 and A22, I'd rather see the line keep moving and not slow the turn while the agent is calling out for me.
There has to be some application of common sense.
There has to be some application of common sense.
Jun 10, 2019, 11:07 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467