Standby at OLCI?
Apr 29, 2010, 10:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
Standby at OLCI?
Looks like meetings are ending early tomorrow, so I'm interested in standing by for an earlier flight, at least while it is still free. 
When, and from where, can I do this? OLCI at 24hrs? OLCI tomorrow morning? Not until I get to the airport? I'm also checking bags, so does that torpedo the plan entirely?
When, and from where, can I do this? OLCI at 24hrs? OLCI tomorrow morning? Not until I get to the airport? I'm also checking bags, so does that torpedo the plan entirely?
Apr 29, 2010, 10:21 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,685
Did you buy your ticket prior to Apr 10? You can use the machines. Make sure to standby BEFORE checking your bags.
Apr 29, 2010, 10:41 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lost in Space
Programs: MR Plat, AA EXP, Hertz Presidents Club, SPG Plat
Posts: 170
while checking in...
You can select a stand by flight at the time you check in online. So no sooner than the 24 hour period before unless you go to the airport prior to that.
Apr 29, 2010, 12:07 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
The ticket was purchased in March so I should be ok there. Sounds like my best option is to OLCI tonight at the 24 hr mark for the original flight and pick my standby. That should take care of the bag issue as well. Thanks.
Apr 29, 2010, 12:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Apr 29, 2010, 8:38 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
Ok, I am checked in and standing by. I notice that my departure management card contains:
Boarding priority: BP5
Does this mean I am fifth in line? There are five Y and 2 F seats left on the map...
Boarding priority: BP5
Does this mean I am fifth in line? There are five Y and 2 F seats left on the map...
Apr 29, 2010, 8:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DCA or IAD (if I must)
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 102
Unfortunately the seat map isn't a perfect predictor of availability. Sometimes people are on the flight who don't have seats assigned. Also, I don't think you can get one of the F seats by being on the standby list (even through UDU) - but I could be mistaken.
Apr 29, 2010, 8:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 386
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ed-2009-a.html
Apr 29, 2010, 9:15 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
I see, BP5 just means I'm standing by for an earlier flight. I assume I have no shot at F, I was just factoring that into the total, though apparently that doesn't mean anything either. I guess I will see how it shakes out tomorrow!
Apr 29, 2010, 9:22 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: My posts represent my personal opinions based on public information and not the official views of UA
Posts: 344
Upgrades are typically processed before standbys. However, if you clear standby, be sure to ask if F is full, just in case the agent overlooks that you are eligible for a complimentary elite upgrade.
Apr 29, 2010, 9:24 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
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Posts: 14,882
BP5 doesn't mean you're fifth in line, but is the category you go into for priority sequence. This is the priority most standby passengers are assigned. Not sure who exactly goes into what, but, for example, someone standing by who had missed a connection would be in a higher priority category.
Apr 30, 2010, 6:16 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
Well now I am really torn... my upgrade (lowly 2P on an A319) on the later flight is confirmed! Never flown F before, probably not worth wasting four hours sitting at DEN. But I'll be thinking of that if I make the standby, wedged into the worst seat in E-...
Apr 30, 2010, 6:38 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: right place, wrong time
Programs: UA Gold; HH Diamond; Hyatt Plat
Posts: 300
DEN to where? BOS? IAD? TPA? I might wait the four hours.......
Apr 30, 2010, 6:41 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: MNW (Middle of NoWhere)
Programs: UA 2P, DL SM
Posts: 84
MSP, so probably only a 2 hr flight or so.