Ok, so I am running late getting to Sky Harbor in PHX. I am usually there 60 min ahead of time.. this time.. 28 min. I get to the kiosk, and get "not able to assign seats for your flight". Then get a message to go to the ticket counter. They tell me it is within 30 min and they can not check you in for the flight, on the gate. I then have them put me on the next flight, run to the gate and get put back on the flight. Very lucky for me...

But, did anyone else notice the Kiosk is not giving you the warning that you are less than 30 min from flight time and now gives a hard error to say Sorry we won;'t check you in. Of course when I said I did not know about hte change, she said it was emailed to everyone. That is another issue as I haev not gotten any emails from AmWest yet.. all from US Airways..

Oh well.. just a heads up if running late. :eek:

I **thought** this has always been the case on US East. The only exception being the USAirways Shuttle check-in.

Yes, I've experienced the 30 minute rule with the kiosks on US, but have always been able to get a boarding pass from a ticket counter agent. I'm surprised they wouldn't at least let you try to get on the original flight.

You are going to find variances in how this policies depending on airport. In many places, you cannot reasonably expect on a regular basis to show up -30 before departure and still make the flt. Examples:
IAD, PIT, ATL, DEN, PHL, SEA, LAS, and any of the NYC airports.

You are going to find variances in how this policies depending on airport. In many places, you cannot reasonably expect on a regular basis to show up -30 before departure and still make the flt. Examples:
IAD, PIT, ATL, DEN, PHL, SEA, LAS, and any of the NYC airports.


I totally agree with you on consistently showing up late.. but occasionally due to LA traffic, I have shown up late 25 minutes before a RJ to Phoenix.. not a problem.. but now, it may be.

-30 min in Phoenix seemed to be a real problem.. luckily the gate agent was excellent and got me back on.. not in First, but in 4c.. not a problem on a short hop to Ontario.

Just have to rememebr to be check in on line and no problems.

LAX1K to AmWes,
Send this in as a recommendation. Kiosks are being merged; this is an easy addition.

I'll do the same with the IT vendor.

The new company changed the check in cutoff to 30 minutes across the board. It used to be 30 minutes for those with bags and 20 for those without. It is now 30 minutes for everything (CO does the same thing). However they leave it to the discretion of the local station to determine if the customer has enough time to checkin in without bags under 30 minutes. It really just depends on where you are. But you should expect to be turned away at 29 minutes.

Turned away from the kiosk, fine.

What got me is where the OP said he was turned away from the checkin desk, too!
I agree that this is airport-specific, but if I'm at 29 minutes due to somebody standing on the escalator in front of me, and then they say that I can't be checked in at ALL for my flight, I'll be quite upset (assuming I'm in a place where it's very possible to get to the gate in 20 minutes. I'd say that would be at least half the airports USHP serves).

Turned away from the kiosk, fine.

What got me is where the OP said he was turned away from the checkin desk, too!
I agree that this is airport-specific, but if I'm at 29 minutes due to somebody standing on the escalator in front of me, and then they say that I can't be checked in at ALL for my flight, I'll be quite upset (assuming I'm in a place where it's very possible to get to the gate in 20 minutes. I'd say that would be at least half the airports USHP serves).
I hear ya...but to remain consistent they are going to go by what the clock says..if you're 1 minute too late, then you're 1 minute too late.

CO is far worse...they uphold the rule to the word. Even in TUS where people can easily get to the gate within 20 minutes without bags...we are NOT allowed to check them in. To me that makes no sense..but they want to be consistent so they make the rule across the board...in every station. At least with HP/US they allow the stations to determine their own time for people without bags. Just make sure you get to the airport early!!! Be careful.....I don't like seeing anyone miss a flight.

I hear ya...but to remain consistent they are going to go by what the clock says..if you're 1 minute too late, then you're 1 minute too late.

CO is far worse...they uphold the rule to the word. Even in TUS where people can easily get to the gate within 20 minutes without bags...we are NOT allowed to check them in. To me that makes no sense..but they want to be consistent so they make the rule across the board...in every station. At least with HP/US they allow the stations to determine their own time for people without bags. Just make sure you get to the airport early!!! Be careful.....I don't like seeing anyone miss a flight.


The biggest recommendation I can make after this situation is CHECK IN ONLINE. That way you can show up 28 minutes before the flight, run to the gate and still get on, because you are ALREADY CHECKED IN.

I learned my lesson and now check in online the morning of my flight or the night before... But the kiosk should be more flexible... like if it is 28 minutes, give you at least the option to check in letting you know if you get there too late, you are out of luck.... REmember Phoenix is 30 minutes, no exceptions.

The biggest recommendation I can make after this situation is CHECK IN ONLINE. That way you can show up 28 minutes before the flight, run to the gate and still get on, because you are ALREADY CHECKED IN.

I learned my lesson and now check in online the morning of my flight or the night before... But the kiosk should be more flexible... like if it is 28 minutes, give you at least the option to check in letting you know if you get there too late, you are out of luck.... REmember Phoenix is 30 minutes, no exceptions.
Good point about checking in online...it does save alot of time.

But if you allow people to try for a flight....even though you tell them they might not make it...they head up to the gate thinking they will make it. Believe me I've seen it many times before...they are all cool about it at the ticket counter then when they get to the gate and the flight is closed...they are on the floor kicking their feet because you won't let them on..LOL It's not a good idea...better to catch them at the counter and rebook...they will still be mad but it puts less strain on the gate agents who then have to deal with an angry customer.

You are going to find variances in how this policies depending on airport. In many places, you cannot reasonably expect on a regular basis to show up -30 before departure and still make the flt. Examples:
IAD, PIT, ATL, DEN, PHL, SEA, LAS, and any of the NYC airports.

I disagree with US Airways terminal at LGA. I routinely show up there 20 minutes prior to departure and never have a problem. Place really is a ghost town now a days.

I disagree with US Airways terminal at LGA. I routinely show up there 20 minutes prior to departure and never have a problem. Place really is a ghost town now a days.

Agreed. Not sure about mornings, but I've never had to wait in US LGA security lines more than 5 or 10 minutes max on weekday afternoons and evenings. Frequently I encounter no line at all. Better to be safe than sorry, I know, but so many airports these days do not necessarily need one hour to clear security and get to the gate.

Driving to LGA to drop off a rental car is another story entirely. :eek: