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Time for another First World Problem discussion!
Redditor “Iceathlete” posted a thread called “Zone 1 late arrival for boarding” in the Delta subreddit. They wrote:
(My inbound flight was) flight delayed, arrived at connection late into boarding. I’m zone 1, do any of you actually go up the left side, or do you wait in the line? I know I “can”, but kind of would feel like I was (a jerk) if I were the people in the other line.
(Here’s the thread. For those offended by salty words, keep in mind that it’s Reddit.)
What’s “the Left Side”?
“The left side” line is for people with Zone 1-4 seating assignments. People sitting in Delta One or First Class, as well as Premium Select and/or Comfort+. Plus, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members get their own fancy pants boarding zone.
Rounding out the “special group” is Zone 4: Sky Priority members (or SkyPriority, we’ll stick with the former). These folks are a subset of Delta Air Lines and other SkyTeam alliance elite status members. (For Delta: Platinum and Golds.)
SkyPriority passengers (and Silver Medallions) also have access to designated luggage check lanes.
Many airlines and their alliances have similar practices.
Can (and Should) Sky Priority Passengers Use the Special Lane During General Boarding?
Here’s the long and short of it.
If you have Zone 1-4 on your boarding pass, you can use the Sky Priority lane anytime after your zone is called. It’s open for the entire boarding time. (There may be exceptions. I’ve seen low-capacity flights have a single boarding lane and that’s that.)
It doesn’t close after Zone 4 is called.
Even when, like, Zone 922 boards, you’re 100% allowed to bypass the general boarding queue and use the Sky Priority lane. It’s kind of like the FastPass or Lightning Lane or DonaldDash or whatever the Disneyland line-jumping program is called. Knock yourself out. That’s why it’s there!
But should you?
Yes! That’s why it’s there!
I’m usually on time for boarding. I like to get my carryon stowed and myself settled in. Plus, I’ve seen some gate agent teams hustle passengers through the boarding process in very impressive times. I don’t want to risk being late. But that’s just me. I know some people who squeeze as much lounge or airport appreciation time as possible before boarding.
But I’m occasionally late for my boarding zone. A few times, the gate team is whipping through zones like they’re trying to set records. (I have no problem with that!) Other times, I’m coming from a connection.
I’ve moseyed past a couple of dozen people in the General Boarding line and into the empty Sky Priority lane (with Sky Priority on my boarding pass).
There’s the occasional snarky remark (“Oh, well, excuse ME!” or “No, please! Go ahead! After you!”) or tongue click from someone in the general boarding line. But don’t let that ruin your day.
If you think using the “special line” makes you look like an entitled jerk or you’re worried about hurting feelings, that’s fine! You do you. Use the General Boarding line. We’re riding the same plane at the same time. Some people just have different preferences when it comes to boarding.
Final Approach
If you have priority boarding privileges, it’s OK to use the “special line” even after your zone is called. Some people might not like it. But meh. If it’s going to bother you that much or you’re that worried about what people think about you, just hop in the long line.
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I just walk up and stop at the front of the priority lane and wait for the GA to wave me over, which they virtually always do quickly. That way, anyone with a problem can take it up with the GA.
I always use it. I hate waiting in line. Anyone can access the elite line pretty easily nowadays so if it’s worth it to them they just have to make an effort. I usually hang in the back until boarding starts though and only enter the priority line after they’ve called for First.
Of course!
Always. I spend thousands of dollars a traveling with Delta. If the people giving me dirty looks would like to spend that, they would have the same privilege. I quit apologizing long ago for the success I have achieved through hard work. Nothing handed to me.
I have been absolutely disgusted by the scammers boarding before everyone when gate agent calls for “anyone that needs extra time boarding”. It used to be 1 or 2 passengers with wheelchairs or some sort of clear disability but lately has become the biggest scam ever. I have noticed dozens of passengers just walking in when the agent calls for passengers that need extra time to board first. No wheelchairs, no limping, no cane, no nothing. People simply just walk in with their luggage and nobody says anything. I have been counting the number of passengers doing that and on two flights last week there were 12 on first flight and 14 on the second one. Disgusting!
While some passengers may have hidden or non-obvious needs/reasons to need “extra time and assistance” (certainly want to accommodate needs appropriately), it’s the people that needed extra time/assistance on the boarding, but magically can exit the plane in record time (needing neither extra time or assistance).
Well, that is a much bigger issue. Have seen many people using wheelchairs as a way to not only board first but to go through immigration much faster as they get priority and skip lines (with several family members coming along) to suddenly walk completely normal once outside the immigration area. Problem with the “extra time for boarding” is that it was always under the assumption that that extra time was due to disability, not being able to move fast enough, etc… but now it became a easy tool for scammers because when the gate agents simply says “passengers needing extra time to board”, anyone can feel they need extra time.
As someone who was getting sheepish about it I appreciate the unapologetic posts and thanks for the confidence booster