New (uncertain) tweaks being tested for boarding process
Oct 22, 2015, 1:24 pm
#1
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New (uncertain) tweaks being tested for boarding process
United is experimenting with changes to the boarding process again. The move was announced today during the earnings call and the testing will happen at ORD gate B8 starting next week.
The gate has been configured a bit differently from the default for a while now but last time I was there (late September) the process was "normal" even with the different gate area layout.
Link goes to my blog; FT rules say I have to tell you that.
The gate has been configured a bit differently from the default for a while now but last time I was there (late September) the process was "normal" even with the different gate area layout.
Link goes to my blog; FT rules say I have to tell you that.
Oct 22, 2015, 1:30 pm
#2
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Interesting.
I don't think they can "fix" the process without moving credit card holders down in priority. Anything else is just shuffling deck chairs.
I don't think they can "fix" the process without moving credit card holders down in priority. Anything else is just shuffling deck chairs.
Oct 22, 2015, 1:35 pm
#4
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Enforcing the rules (for real, even - or especially - with elites) would be a massive improvement but the company doesn't have stomach for that.
Oct 22, 2015, 1:42 pm
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Meh...there are always going to be people in groups. That's part of the problem so long as you're in a different group. But moving people to another group just shifts the problem.
Enforcing the rules (for real, even - or especially - with elites) would be a massive improvement but the company doesn't have stomach for that.
Enforcing the rules (for real, even - or especially - with elites) would be a massive improvement but the company doesn't have stomach for that.
The human behavior problem is harder to deal with. Southwest has handled that better than anyone.
Oct 22, 2015, 2:01 pm
#8
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I'll I've ever seen at ORD is backlit acrylic displays per sbm12.
Per other comments I will echo that I don't see how fewer boarding groups will reduce the issue, unless credit card holders are put after elites. Even then, depending on the route and time, the elite groups can have a far longer line than the other groups
Per other comments I will echo that I don't see how fewer boarding groups will reduce the issue, unless credit card holders are put after elites. Even then, depending on the route and time, the elite groups can have a far longer line than the other groups
Oct 22, 2015, 2:20 pm
#9
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Unless they get rid of those chutes I"m not interested in hearing about any change. They always cause people to line up way too soon and because of that having seating in the boarding area is almost pointless. Don't get me started on how early I have to leave the club so that I can still get overhead space in a small F class cabin.
Oct 22, 2015, 2:34 pm
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Are there still five lanes at B8? I would assume it's still five, but one can't be too certain as the picture only shows four.
And I agree with the chutes needing to go away. If people would just stay seated until their group is called it would make the whole boarding area less chaotic, especially when there are only two lanes. UA needs to add more seats instead of expanding the size of the boarding lanes.
And I agree with the chutes needing to go away. If people would just stay seated until their group is called it would make the whole boarding area less chaotic, especially when there are only two lanes. UA needs to add more seats instead of expanding the size of the boarding lanes.
Oct 22, 2015, 2:39 pm
#11
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There are 5.
Oct 22, 2015, 3:02 pm
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If you take away the lanes, people just crowd the boarding area in an unorganized mass. That's how the term "gate lice" came to be coined.
I don't mind the lanes. If you want a place at the front of the line, get there early. I do mind lines that are 90 pax long and create a free-for-all because people can't tell where they're supposed to stand.
Oct 22, 2015, 3:32 pm
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That's a complaint about the human behavior problem, not the UA process.
If you take away the lanes, people just crowd the boarding area in an unorganized mass. That's how the term "gate lice" came to be coined.
I don't mind the lanes. If you want a place at the front of the line, get there early. I do mind lines that are 90 pax long and create a free-for-all because people can't tell where they're supposed to stand.
If you take away the lanes, people just crowd the boarding area in an unorganized mass. That's how the term "gate lice" came to be coined.
I don't mind the lanes. If you want a place at the front of the line, get there early. I do mind lines that are 90 pax long and create a free-for-all because people can't tell where they're supposed to stand.
All it takes is a vigilant GA to tell people to stay seated, keep the area clear, etc. And if people don't comply, put them in their place. But nowadays everyone is too afraid to say anything.
The biggest problem are the gates with only two lanes, those really can be a zoo when they are trying to board a full 739. I am noticing a lot more two-lane gates at SFO and SAN these days and I am pretty sure they used to be set up with five lanes.
Oct 22, 2015, 3:47 pm
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I disagree with the comments that moving people to different groups wont solve the problem. Since G1 is often the largest group and causes crowding along with G2, some levels need to be moved in to G3-5 to even it out a little. And maybe they will go back to boarding F class first?
And SAN has never had 5 lanes in brand new terminal 2, there just isnt enough room for them the way the gates were constructed. Its always been G1/2 and then G3/4/5 in the other lane. My issue is the G2 folks who fill up the chutes and pretend to not pay attention to the folks trying to pass them during G1 boarding.
And SAN has never had 5 lanes in brand new terminal 2, there just isnt enough room for them the way the gates were constructed. Its always been G1/2 and then G3/4/5 in the other lane. My issue is the G2 folks who fill up the chutes and pretend to not pay attention to the folks trying to pass them during G1 boarding.