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United Begins Testing New Boarding Method at ORD
Jesse Tabit October 27, 2015
This week, United Airlines will be trialing a new boarding method at O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in an effort to reduce the amount of time passengers are standing in line.
The carrier is conducting the test at Gate B-8. During the trial run, United will be reducing the number of boarding lanes and increasing the number of small boarding groups. This, the airline hopes, will make passengers less compelled to stand before their group is called.
“We never intended for the boarding lanes to force people to stand as they were waiting for departure, but if you had a handful of people who would stand up, others would follow,” said United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson.
For more information on this story, visit the Chicago Tribune.
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Even if bags were checked free, it wouldn't solve much of the problem. I get free checked bags on Delta but I still avoid checking bags like the plague since it adds anywhere from 15-30 minutes at the end of the flight when I wait for the bags to come out.
It's likely just one more 'tock' on UA's eternal clock of erasing every last elite benefit.
If they brought back free 1st checked bag for everyone you won't have as much of a mob mentality. Follow that up with putting someone in a separate "last to board" row if they decide to jump ahead of the line. The benefit for elites would be that they are relatively guaranteed overhead bin space and no need to check their bags. They then get a 2nd checked bag free. Less revenue from ancillary fees? Sure. A much better flight experience? Sure. Will US carriers ever do that? Hell no! Money is king!
With all of the problems facing United, they want to try and fix their boarding process? Better they should work on re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. These people truly don't get it.
With only a backpack it is truly a joy boarding last. :-)