Perhaps someone in Tempe Corporate needs to remind their managers (up to and including their Regionals) what company policy is. Here is a response I received from Corporate in regards to minimum connecting times and the hubs leaving people behind on close connections. My question to them was about minimum connecting times being lengthened since we close the doors 10 minutes early.
Allow me to clarify -- Our close door policy is still 5 minutes; however, we “close†the flight 10 minutes prior to boarding to allow time for the processing of any stand-by customers.
And if the Regionals think threatening to write agents up for delays is going to make them go away, you're delusional. All you're going to do is p-o the agents.
How are the agents supposed to force customers to get off and on the plane if they are slow or in wheelchairs or have kids with lots of stuff? I can't wait for one of these to go to a level to see how the company can justify discipline if the agent does what they are supposed to (ie board 30/35 minutes before departure). Also, the company is creating the bag check fiasco at departure with the fees and no enforcement of baggage policies before the door of the plane. Ever try to board a Monday morning Boeing to DCA and NOT have to check 20-30 bags?