Originally Posted by ToiletDuck

I fly in and out of IAH on regionals, both XJT and CHQ, and can say it isn't anyone's fault. I can't tell you how many times I've sat there waiting for a gate agent to let the plane unload. I never understood why you have to sit there for 10 minutes waiting to simply let people walk off the plane into the covered terminal that's a mere 30ft away.

CAL does something most places don't and that's deliver a good customer experience. Good customer experience and on-time performance DO NOT go hand in hand. Countless times they keep calling and waiting on that last pax that shows up 5min late then rush them out to the plane, argue with the crew for a minute or two saying they need them to be taken, then another minute or two waiting to see if there is room for their bags, then because one sheet is already filled out the FO has to start a complete new one which takes a couple more minutes. This seems to be the story every single time. I won't lie I've done it once. They held the plane for a few minutes for me because they knew i was running through the terminal to jumpseat home.

Regardless of what you guys think about the CHQ vs XJT operation there one thing is certain and that's customers are happy with CAL and the way they do business. Granted it'd be much easier if they were just A'holes and denied pax left and right like Delta but their concern isn't about our job being easier it's about the pax. Personally I love flying Continental. I go first class everywhere. Other places usually don't let you.