What "losses"? The OP was entitled to board first (or at any time of his choosing) and the GA is not entitled to sua sponte deny this beni.

I was in F coming back from DEN last week and didn't use the red carpet because the line was moving and I waited maybe an extra 30 seconds. The GA actually stopped me and said next time to be sure to use the red carpet lane. Sounds like maybe they have gotten some extra training.

I've had a similar experience. I arrived at the gate after boarding already started. The line was pretty light, so I just went in the normal line. When the agent took my BP, he stopped the line, asked me to walk back around to the red carpet.

ha

Of course, the OP was entitled to board first. I wouldn't have been happy about it either, trust me. But it comes down to a matter of perspective, nothing more- Board w/the rest of seating area 1 (the horror) or make a smart aleck (sp?) comment to the GA. I dunno. Me? Just take the high road, board and enjoy the red carpet on the next flight.

For the others who've chimed in and supported the OP w/the comment that if you don't fight for the right, it will fritter away... sorry, that ain't gonna happen. 99% of the time, the red carpet will still be used. Just board the plane.

You don't fly a lot of ORD-MKE on Saturday mornings do you? :D I have also been the only 1K on Saturday morning LGA-ORD.

I'll go a step further, in DEN, nonetheless...

Flying TED from DEN-LAS, approached the podium on the light-load flight and made sure that the exit row seat next to me was empty...Took a seat not all that close from the boarding door. Knowing the flight was light and not being one to do the 'show off', I figured I'd wait until he announced the pre-boarding for 1K/GS...

I saw the gate agent start moving from behind the counter...He walked straight to me and said, "Mr. MBS, we're ready to begin boarding, would you like to board now?" I followed him and boarded. :eek:

While walking to the door, he said, "You're the only 1K/GS on the flight, and we figured we'd give you a personal invitation to board". (Gave him a GTEM cert).

Once I boarded, in retrospect, was thinking, "Wow, everyone must think I'm a FAM!" :D

That, my friends, is how boarding should be! ^

Really. As a 1P I find that Boarding area 1 is just as good. I'm usually one of the first to board after the red carpet. The difference is insignificant for me

I'll agree with you here - the GA needs to rethink his.

Jeez, I can't believe the amount of BS we take out of some people who's job is service.

I know I sure could not have gotten away with some of the stuff we see posted here when I was in a service job - wait, I couldn't get away with it today in a professional job.

I have a similar story. ORD-LAS flight on a Tuesday morning, I was the only 1K on the flight, with my wife (US Silver). I went up to the GA about 5 minutes before boarding and asked if anyone was between us in row 8. He took our two boarding passes and said to the effect, "You're the only 1K on the flight Mr. Trekwars, I did put someone between you but I'll take care of that."

He paged a guy he moved up to E+ and moved him out of our row. There were a total of 2 open seats on the flight - we were very happy and my wife was very impressed :)

On a side note, I can't wait until TED get F (or goes away, however you want to look at it)...

No kidding!
Being the only PASSENGER might be rare, but for those of us in outstations (or flying there regularly) it's not uncommon to be out there alone.

I fully expect an upcoming ORD-MKE flight on a CR7 to be booked to 1 in F, unless they find some suckers to buy up or are full down back. :D

RE MKE, somehow they always find at least one person to accompany me in the F cabin at the last minute.