Airlines change how they herd us aboard

[spinbaby]

Not really worthy of a news post but interesting nonetheless:

To wring out greater savings and to minimize passenger frustration, some airlines are adopting new ways of boarding.

Industry giants United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as discounter AirTran, have abandoned the traditional back-to-front boarding of their coach sections. America West has made the move, too.
(snip)

United now groups passengers at the gate according to their seat's letter designation. The carrier boards window passengers first, followed by those in middle and aisle seats. Passengers traveling in pairs or groups are kept together. Its boarding is now four to five minutes faster, saving the company about $1 million a year, says Robin Urbanski, a spokeswoman.

http://tinyurl.com/dkok6

[Love Bug]

1. Lol!

That's going to be a shock to those who purposely ask for aisle seats so they can grab their stuff from the overhead and run after the plane lands. Since they'll get seated last, the overhead bins will probably be full already.

[huskerlaw]

2. Ahhh, that explains it!

I flew America West over the holidays and couldn't quite figure out how they were boarding. I kept getting in the first 2 groups, no matter what part of the plane I was sitting in. Yes, in fact, I did have window seats.

How interesting. Looking back, it did seem to flow better. There was a lot less need to climb over people.

[LeftyMom]

3. That's a pretty good idea.

Of course I always get to board first (or nearly so) because I usually travel with LeftyKid.