$JBLU's Forced Gate-Check Policy Draws Criticism From a Passenger Despite the Airline Topping J.D. Power...

A TheStreet writer says $JBLU's boarding policy cost him an extra 40 minutes at baggage claim on an October 21 flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale, even though the airline ranks highest in J.D. Power's first/business segment customer satisfaction survey for a second consecutive year.
According to J.D. Power, JetBlue scored 759, ahead of Delta Air Lines (750) and Alaska Airlines (720).
The writer says the airline announced that passengers in boarding group six or higher had to check their carry-ons because the flight was full. He says he complied, but no other passengers checked bags, and he later saw open overhead bins. He also says upgrading to an exit row seat did not improve his boarding group, since JetBlue requires moving from "main" to at least "main flex" for earlier boarding.
A Delta spokesperson told CBS News that boarding is the most consistent barrier to on-time departures, and that slow bag storage can delay it. JetBlue did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.