AA Response to Boarding Practices…
Dear Mr. LeCour:
Your recent letter has been referred to me, and I have been asked to respond. We’ve simplified our boarding process. I’m glad you’ve given us the opportunity to explain our boarding procedures.
In a continued effort to streamline the boarding process, we are pleased to offer Group Boarding. If you are seated in the main cabin, you will notice a group number 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 on your boarding pass. These numbers correspond with particular rows on the aircraft and frequent flyer status. Customers are invited to board by group numbers on the aircraft instead of row numbers. However, Group Boarding has not changed our customary procedure of boarding the aircraft from back to front. In addition, prior to making the general boarding announcements, customers identifying themselves as those who require extra time or assistance in boarding will still be preboarded as time permits. Too, our first class and business class customers will continue to board before the customers in our main cabin.
I can well understand your disappointment that your family wasn’t allowed to preboard the flight from Chicago to Orlando. I’ve advised our General Manager in Chicago. Our agents there will be reminded that [sic] to extend the preboarding invitation families traveling with small children whenever it will not interfere with on-time departure.
Please be assured that we are not moving toward an “open” seating process — we know how much our customers enjoy the ability to prereserve their seats. Our new boarding procedures may take some getting used to but we hope you will soon see the benefits of a more systematic boarding process. Your continued business means a lot to us. It would be a privilege to welcome you and your family aboard soon.
Sincerely,
Trish Felix
What the hëll does “Too, our first class and business class customers will continue to board before the customers in our main cabin.” mean? Bizarre use of the English language award goes to Trish Felix