Enforcement of Boarding Order: consolidated thread
#31
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,740
Understood. That's why I stated:
So...SW could have (and should have, in my view) partially revamped the boarding procedure: if you don't want to stand in line, buy a BS ticket or become an A-list-er. Doing so would have: (1) essentially preserved the status quo for the sometime-flyer (who, most likely, probably won't even care about their new boarding pass number, and who probably rarely would try to get in line before the airplane even showed up at the gate); and (2) opened up new revenue sources aimed directly at SW's targeted flyer.
So...SW could have (and should have, in my view) partially revamped the boarding procedure: if you don't want to stand in line, buy a BS ticket or become an A-list-er. Doing so would have: (1) essentially preserved the status quo for the sometime-flyer (who, most likely, probably won't even care about their new boarding pass number, and who probably rarely would try to get in line before the airplane even showed up at the gate); and (2) opened up new revenue sources aimed directly at SW's targeted flyer.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,712
Exactly. Even people on UA and AA complain about the gate lice who crowd the gate entrance when it's time to board. The system will be a good thing if WN would actually implement it. However, the timing could not be worse with the holiday rush of families and the relative dearth of business travel.
#33
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
Hopefully that will be a thing of the past once AA rolls out the elite boarding process they're testing in SFO. I don't know why it needs testing at CO has been doing it for years now.
#34
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,617
Can you describe this new AA process to us or give us a hyperlink? Separate lane and velvet rope a la Alaska Airlines?
#35
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,617
It's been clear for some time that families buying far in advance and willing to risk confiscatory change fees are better off buying deeply discounted fares on legacy airlines. Change one of these factors (not so far in advance, possible need to change or cancel) and Southwest wins.
#36
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 221
It's been clear for some time that families buying far in advance and willing to risk confiscatory change fees are better off buying deeply discounted fares on legacy airlines. Change one of these factors (not so far in advance, possible need to change or cancel) and Southwest wins.
#37
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Downtown Denver
Programs: WN A-list/CP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plt,*wood Plt,F9 Summitt, Hyatt Diamond,
Posts: 391
WN Boarding Process-BS Fares Doomed
After 4 weeks of being part of the WN expeirment here is this former loyal customers observations:
1. GA and customers can't count and don't care. Had A-31, A-36 and A-26 ahead of me again Sunday PDX-ABQ. My wife was A-25(CP) and I was A-16.
2. Last week I had a WN gate with no Poles with A,B,C, nothing (ABQ). It was a cattle call of sorts.
3. After 4 weeks I have seen only 2 BS fares ahead of me.
4. GA really don't care and don't like the process. Worst part they can't count and sleep in bathubs (Spinless). I made a protest in PDX and was told" I can't do everything"! Why does my wife on CP must behind me 10 folks and the other go ahead of me?
5. My company has already said " NO BS WN Fares", travel dept isn't buying in and neither am I.
6. WM has spent millions on this mess, I give it 6 months before Gary K and Collen wake up and smell disaster equal to the "New Coke" debacle.
In the my traveling future WN losses are UA and FT gains, I am A-list and 200 RR credits a year (CP for 9 years). I am figuring out the FT FF program today, looks like my first FT freebie in january. need 2 more legs on UA for freebie. Wn is out!
1. GA and customers can't count and don't care. Had A-31, A-36 and A-26 ahead of me again Sunday PDX-ABQ. My wife was A-25(CP) and I was A-16.
2. Last week I had a WN gate with no Poles with A,B,C, nothing (ABQ). It was a cattle call of sorts.
3. After 4 weeks I have seen only 2 BS fares ahead of me.
4. GA really don't care and don't like the process. Worst part they can't count and sleep in bathubs (Spinless). I made a protest in PDX and was told" I can't do everything"! Why does my wife on CP must behind me 10 folks and the other go ahead of me?
5. My company has already said " NO BS WN Fares", travel dept isn't buying in and neither am I.
6. WM has spent millions on this mess, I give it 6 months before Gary K and Collen wake up and smell disaster equal to the "New Coke" debacle.
In the my traveling future WN losses are UA and FT gains, I am A-list and 200 RR credits a year (CP for 9 years). I am figuring out the FT FF program today, looks like my first FT freebie in january. need 2 more legs on UA for freebie. Wn is out!
#38
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA GOLD MM,WN CP A+list, HH Gold,MR LT Titanium
Posts: 2,184
Over the last several weeks this is the same experience I have encountered,at many locations.
Until WN enforces their own policy,this new system can only anger customers.
As an A lister,I appreciate the automatic check in and would continue to use WN because of it,but the policy of not allowing CP holders to board together and the apathy of the GA's in enforcing the numerical order is causing me to look elsewhere.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum
Posts: 12,085
In my experience people tend to enforce the boarding order on their own. I had people ask me what boarding pass I had, in order to line up.
As for the CP issue, you can always hold a seat for your partner, so I'm not sure if that is such a big deal...
As for the CP issue, you can always hold a seat for your partner, so I'm not sure if that is such a big deal...
#40
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Home
Posts: 1,910
I just let them board with me.
#41
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
#42
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
1. GA and customers can't count and don't care. Had A-31, A-36 and A-26 ahead of me again Sunday PDX-ABQ. My wife was A-25(CP) and I was A-16.
3. After 4 weeks I have seen only 2 BS fares ahead of me.
4. GA really don't care and don't like the process. Worst part they can't count and sleep in bathubs (Spinless). I made a protest in PDX and was told" I can't do everything"! Why does my wife on CP must behind me 10 folks and the other go ahead of me?
3. After 4 weeks I have seen only 2 BS fares ahead of me.
4. GA really don't care and don't like the process. Worst part they can't count and sleep in bathubs (Spinless). I made a protest in PDX and was told" I can't do everything"! Why does my wife on CP must behind me 10 folks and the other go ahead of me?
My OAK-TUS flight had several BSers on it (six, I believe), along with quite a few BS coupons in the galley on my PDX-OAK trip, so I suspect it's becoming more and more popular.
#43
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: WN CP
Posts: 6,360
Indeed, it is quite premature to proclaim BS a failure after less than a month in existence.
#44
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Downtown Denver
Programs: WN A-list/CP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Plt,*wood Plt,F9 Summitt, Hyatt Diamond,
Posts: 391
That's strange, because I flew PDX-OAK a few days ago and the GA was very adamant about 1-15 and 16-20 before starting the regular boarding. He threw a couple people out of line who tried to get on with the BS group that weren't BS pax. This was the case in LAS as well when the GA threw about 20 people out of line who tried to jump ahead and get on with 1-15. I think passengers police themselves--a couple insisted that I board before them since I was A-16.
My OAK-TUS flight had several BSers on it (six, I believe), along with quite a few BS coupons in the galley on my PDX-OAK trip, so I suspect it's becoming more and more popular.
My OAK-TUS flight had several BSers on it (six, I believe), along with quite a few BS coupons in the galley on my PDX-OAK trip, so I suspect it's becoming more and more popular.
#45
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Night Vale
Posts: 1,872
Last week I flew first time under the new system, AUS-SDF and return. I am A-list. My observations:
1. I asked my favorite ops agent in AUS whether it was a win or a bust. He is convinced it is a win for the new boarding system since folks simply do not line up early and crowd the gate. We did not discuss bs.
2. Airports like Houston where they have the display monitors and the permanent number poles seem to make the process easier.
3. I was able to get good seats on all segments, so this is a win for me.
4. When the flight from Louisville to Birmingham landed before going on to Houston and SAN, there were 70 throughs, and they were all in front. A mother with kid and an infant got on a complained to f/a that she could not pre-board. The f/a was clueless about the new procedure although she has been at wn for 20 years. So, still some kinks to work out.
I was an original doubter of the new system thinking it was like getting grade school kiddies to line up for lunch, but I now think it is ok, and the A list is a definite benefit for me, since I was unwilling to buy one-ways for quick round trips. Also the national tv ads promoting open seating seem to imply that the new system is here to stay.
1. I asked my favorite ops agent in AUS whether it was a win or a bust. He is convinced it is a win for the new boarding system since folks simply do not line up early and crowd the gate. We did not discuss bs.
2. Airports like Houston where they have the display monitors and the permanent number poles seem to make the process easier.
3. I was able to get good seats on all segments, so this is a win for me.
4. When the flight from Louisville to Birmingham landed before going on to Houston and SAN, there were 70 throughs, and they were all in front. A mother with kid and an infant got on a complained to f/a that she could not pre-board. The f/a was clueless about the new procedure although she has been at wn for 20 years. So, still some kinks to work out.
I was an original doubter of the new system thinking it was like getting grade school kiddies to line up for lunch, but I now think it is ok, and the A list is a definite benefit for me, since I was unwilling to buy one-ways for quick round trips. Also the national tv ads promoting open seating seem to imply that the new system is here to stay.