City with the most elites?
Apr 18, 2007, 9:18 am
#1
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City with the most elites?
After reading one of the most recent threads that turned into a debate on UGS and how they decide who makes UGS and such it really got me thinking which city has the most elites. I did a quick search on this topic and didn't find anything in other posting, so I apologize if this question has been asked before. Does United even disclose this information?
I thought about it and I figure it must be LA, San Fran, Chicago, or DC, but I don't know which city actually has the most elites or maybe there is a dark horse city out there. Since there seem to be a good number of 1K fliers out there I figured I would ask not which city has simply the most elites, but which city has the most 1Ks. So, I toss this out there for people to discuss. I apologize if this a simple question, but it was one I was curious about.
I thought about it and I figure it must be LA, San Fran, Chicago, or DC, but I don't know which city actually has the most elites or maybe there is a dark horse city out there. Since there seem to be a good number of 1K fliers out there I figured I would ask not which city has simply the most elites, but which city has the most 1Ks. So, I toss this out there for people to discuss. I apologize if this a simple question, but it was one I was curious about.
Apr 18, 2007, 9:24 am
#2
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SFO has been the consensus. Even if they don't have the must elites by raw numbers, I would bet SFO has the most elites by percentage of pax
Apr 18, 2007, 9:27 am
#3
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Do a search and you'll find some posts with estimated number of elites per level and hub.
Apr 18, 2007, 10:36 am
#4
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Agree it has to be SFO. ORD is split between AA and UA, so doubt it's there, but SFO is UA territory.
Apr 18, 2007, 10:39 am
#5
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Gotta be SFO, no question. When the GA's announce 1K/Elite boarding at SFO, it looks just like the scene in ATL when they announce Medallion boarding for a DL flight - roughly half the plane gets on.
Apr 18, 2007, 11:12 am
#6
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I can't tell which city has the most elites but I have told by an angel at SYR that there are only two UGS at this station. Does not do much for me because it is a UX station. They don't even put up the sign on the seperate lane for Elite check in. Just a seperate lane but no sign.
When I first became a UGS - the agent at SYR did not even know what it was. She asked me what it was.
When I first became a UGS - the agent at SYR did not even know what it was. She asked me what it was.
Apr 18, 2007, 11:58 am
#7
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The more interesting question would be which foreign station has the most elites.
Apr 18, 2007, 12:15 pm
#9
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SMF has a lot of UGSs who are prisoner escorts. Folsom Prison is nearby. You can easily count a dozen escorts checking in most mornings. They fly out in the morning, most often upgraded to F. Return same afternoon with a prisoner, sitting in the back row. Some travel 3 to 4 times a week. And they usually are on fully refundable fares.
Apr 18, 2007, 12:22 pm
#10
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I used to think SFO but with so many more people residing in ORD and LAX, even DEN...I'm thinking it has to be one of those.
SFO got really hot when the dot.com boom hit, but I'm not sure that's so much the case anymore.
The only other caveat -- with the large amount of U.S. > Asia flights, you get a lot of connecting "1Ks" at SFO.
SFO got really hot when the dot.com boom hit, but I'm not sure that's so much the case anymore.
The only other caveat -- with the large amount of U.S. > Asia flights, you get a lot of connecting "1Ks" at SFO.
Apr 18, 2007, 12:46 pm
#11
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I believe that SNA has a very high percentage of elites as well (though not the volume of the larger cities). This is why UA maintains a RCC at this relatively small station.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:09 pm
#12
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This makes me wonder about stations with the least elites...
I know there are some stations (ROA and CRW come to mind) in which I am often one of the only elites on the entire flight. When I was a 1K, some of those same stations admitted shock when I'd clear standbys that GMs wouldn't (I recall being told by several when I first asked, "Don't bother--the list is pretty long."
)
I know there are some stations (ROA and CRW come to mind) in which I am often one of the only elites on the entire flight. When I was a 1K, some of those same stations admitted shock when I'd clear standbys that GMs wouldn't (I recall being told by several when I first asked, "Don't bother--the list is pretty long."
)
Apr 18, 2007, 2:14 pm
#13
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You're kidding right?
I have never seen a prisoner transport - only in movies.
Originally Posted by kevinsac
SMF has a lot of UGSs who are prisoner escorts. Folsom Prison is nearby. You can easily count a dozen escorts checking in most mornings. They fly out in the morning, most often upgraded to F. Return same afternoon with a prisoner, sitting in the back row. Some travel 3 to 4 times a week. And they usually are on fully refundable fares.
I have never seen a prisoner transport - only in movies.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:23 pm
#14
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And they always fly in teams of two.....on the return, usually in the back row of Y, prisoner in the middle seat, an escort on either side. The usually board first, the three of them. The prisoner usually is walking casually, with his hands together, hand-in-hand in front of him -- with a jacket or sweater draped over the hands to hide the handcuffs.
Apr 18, 2007, 2:28 pm
#15
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Easily recognizable by the paperwork they fill out at the counter due to the weapons they are carrying.
And they always fly in teams of two.....The usually board first, the three of them. The prisoner usually is walking casually, with his hands together, hand-in-hand in front of him -- with a jacket or sweater draped over the hands to hide the handcuffs.
And they always fly in teams of two.....The usually board first, the three of them. The prisoner usually is walking casually, with his hands together, hand-in-hand in front of him -- with a jacket or sweater draped over the hands to hide the handcuffs.