[rfg470]

The concept of zoned boarding works when followed. Obviously those that fly often should get preferencial treatment. So why do the boarding people say boarding zones 1 through 5 or boarding all zones from the start?

Seems to defeat the purpose of zoned boarding. This happens quite frequently.

[Silent Bob]

Because sometimes the flight isn't all that full or it's a smaller plane. I remember once on a CLE - LGA on Continental, the gate agent called for elites to board and I was the only one. Soon after they boarded all rows, which turned out wasn't a full flight. If it's a full plane, say like a 777 and the gate agents tells everyone to board, then that's asking for trouble. But that's an unlikely scenario anyway.

[Jetliner]

Even if it's a smaller plane like a 737 it would be a problem, but really light loads or a small plane like a regional jet shouldn't be an issue.

[PHXFlyer]

I've been on flights, for example Houston to Newark, where over half the plane, a 737, were elite passengers of one type or another. After calling elites the next call was all-rows since the elites were all clogging up the aisle throughout the aircraft and many were still queued in the jetway anyway. Believe it or not the gate agents, for the most part, know their job and how to get the plane boarded quickly so i fin some cases that means abandoning the zone scheme then so be it.

[Jetliner]

Well I don't think the OP is referring to abandoning zone boarding for row boarding. What he/she is saying is when the first announcement is boarding all zones, instead of calling them one at a time as they are supposed to be called.

[PHXFlyer]

"All zones" or "all rows" what's the difference? A cattle cal is a cattle call. Moo!