Tekelberry From United States of America, joined May 2003, 1459 posts, RR: 5 Posted (9 years 12 months 11 hours ago) and read 1752 times:
I recently took a trip aboard AA which included an AE segment. Their boarding procedures seem slightly different than AA's. Not only do they rip the boarding passes when you board and keep the bigger part (AA just gives back the whole pass), but the FA made us all show her our boarding passes once we got on the plane.
They also checked IDs for the 5000th time but I think that's just a DFW thing.
Are these AE procedures or just what the agents/FA felt like doing that day? Why do they differ from AA?
N951U From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (9 years 12 months 6 hours ago) and read 1714 times:
This is American Eagle standard procedure.
The reason for showing boarding pass is a standard process due to some outstations where passengers may walk outside to get to the aircraft (not in a controlled environment like a jetway).
Ripping the boarding passes is not always done in my experience, but seems to happen most of the time with Eagle.
AIR757200 From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 1579 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (9 years 12 months 5 hours ago) and read 1692 times:
In DTW, when Eagle uses B-8 (hardly ever), the EGR is used for boarding passes and therefore, the BP remains intact. However, down at B-15, you are given the stub back so that the agent enters the seat numbers in the computer (all manual, no EGR).
However, in LGA, when I've flown AE, the EGR's never look as though they are working, so they rip the BP and give back the stub. One time, when the EGR was working, they still ripped it. Every station has their own variations.
The F/A checking the BP as you enter the aircraft as N951U mentioned is normal.
Miami1 From Australia, joined Feb 2001, 706 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (9 years 12 months 2 hours ago) and read 1651 times:
Here in Australia FAs do the boarding for domestic flights (except when operayed by an International crew). One or two of us stand at the gate readers and welcome pax, assess cabin luggage etc. If for some reason the electronic ABC readers are not in use we kib the smaller end of the boarding pass for back up purposes and give the to the CSAs.
We still check the boarding passes at the door of the a/c irrespective of whether boarding is via stairs or an airbridge.
Highguy76 From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 184 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (9 years 12 months 2 hours ago) and read 1629 times:
I wish airlines would get smart in the US and have enough FAs to have one or two assist with boarding at the gate. This would solve several problems before they get blown out of proportion on the AC, and I'm sure gate agents would appreciate the help.
hg76
AIR757200 From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 1579 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (9 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1550 times:
Yes, an extra on AA flights, not as common now, but still out there.
KKMolokai From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 760 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (9 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1512 times:
Yes, there are times when an extra flight attendant is scheduled on an AA flight, and yes, the flight attendants often volunteer to assist in the boarding process (operating the Gate Reader).
My experience as an agent has been that it is easier NOT to utilize the flight attendant in the boarding process. It is often faster and a lot more streamlined when boarding is done by the agents. There is less chance of "missed tickets" when the agents do the boarding.
However, when working an overbooked flight, a flight attendant's assistance is always appreciated!
We are the people of American Airlines. And we know why you fly.
Miami1 From Australia, joined Feb 2001, 706 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (9 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1478 times:
In Australian there is a minimum number of FAs that are required on the a/c for boarding. This number may be higher if the a/c is also being refuelled during boarding. The minimum number of each a/c type varies according to exit configuration. This has nothing to do with the minimum number of FAs required for a flight.
Another example is if a crew are late from an inbound flight. The minimum number may be called of airport reserve just to stand on board while the CSAs board the flight at the gate. They stand around until the operating crew arrive.
Each a/c type has specific FAs which go to the gate for boarding. It isn't just a "helping out" thing. We work in conjunction with the CSAs at the desk. All we do is welcome pax and assess hand luggage and insert the boarding pass into the gate reader. The CSAs do all the checking in, announcements, computer stuff, dispatching etc.
I think it is a great system as we are ultimately in charge of who may come on board so it is much easier to stop problems at the gate. It is funny though the amount of pax that say "See you later..." as they pass the gate reader thinking the FAs are ground staff.
The system is great as it utilises FAs which would otherwiise be standing around on board doing nothing and it frees up CSAs to do what they are trained to do, not taking up their time at the electronic readers. Also it means less CSAs are required to be on duty.
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