UA 757 Boarding - Why is Door 2L Used and Not 1L?
Jul 19, 2009, 4:00 pm
#31
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Recent 777 flight, domestic config - ORD-DEN, boarded entire plane from 1L. It was 100% full. Not fun. On arrival in Denver, we exited the entire plane out of 2L. Especially annoying to walk by the gate counter and see the jetbridge to 1L just hanging out, unattached to this big plane and 4 CSRs busy chatting at the desk - where no onward flight was posted. No one could bring the bridge to 1L?
Jul 19, 2009, 9:42 pm
#32
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UA *HAD* launch orders for the 757, but they gave up their sub-50 slots for some reason, that I cannot recall now. They were heavily involved in the design process, however.
Jul 19, 2009, 10:36 pm
#33
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Recent 777 flight, domestic config - ORD-DEN, boarded entire plane from 1L. It was 100% full. Not fun. On arrival in Denver, we exited the entire plane out of 2L. Especially annoying to walk by the gate counter and see the jetbridge to 1L just hanging out, unattached to this big plane and 4 CSRs busy chatting at the desk - where no onward flight was posted. No one could bring the bridge to 1L?
problem is airports. some (SFO comes to mind) can accomodate 2L boarding on every gate that can take a 757. You will never board other than at 2L. Some airports (JFK comes to mind) can do at some gates, and not others.
it takes a slightly longer jet bridge and not all airports are equipped with them. Usually, the same gates that can do 2L boarding are also capable of doing boarding on widebodies (dc-10s, 777, 330s) with boarding throught a second door), but some gates (as e.g. at SFO) are spaced for a 757 and have the longer jet bridges.
Jul 20, 2009, 12:18 am
#34
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I agree with this sentiment. The 757 is a very versatile aircraft. I will miss the 757 when it eventually fades away.
Jul 20, 2009, 1:55 pm
#35
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And I'm pretty sure I used the tail stairs on a 727 once in the '80s -- definitely could have been UA, but can't swear to it.
Jul 20, 2009, 6:59 pm
#36
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FOllowing the inauguration this past January, I was on a 757 DCA-ORD. We loaded through 2L, but upon landing @ ORD we de-planed via 1L. Tim Robbins was in F and was escorted to and from plane by UGS agent. Coincidence...
Jul 20, 2009, 7:35 pm
#37
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Also don't forget the most important benefit. Since F boards first, the FA can easily get up and down the aisle to server pre-departure beverages without all the Y passengers getting "in the way." As you've probably seen on A319/320 and 737 AC the FA's look like salmon swimming up-stream if they try to do PDB. I think it also makes them less likely to offer PDB when they are on aircraft which board through 1L. 
Jul 20, 2009, 7:36 pm
#38
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LGA-DEN almost always boards at C14 which lets us board from L2. But recently, DEN-LGA seems to go to C9 or C11 and then we have to deplane at L1.
Jul 20, 2009, 8:11 pm
#39
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I agree with other FT's sentiment that the 757 will be missed when UA starts to phase them out. I find that 9A is easily one of the best coach seats in the fleet. Let's hope if UA moves forward with an airplane purchase they decide on an airplane that mirrors some of the great qualities of the 757.
Jul 20, 2009, 8:16 pm
#40
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Interesting point. Part of the problem with the 752 is that it was engineered for range which leads to challenging costs for short flights. What is going to be hard to replace with a narrowbody is its cargo capacity. UA took care of some of the range issues with the derated engines but still can get economy for ETOPS HI flights and transcons. Everything else they can do with a 32x or a 789.
Jul 22, 2009, 6:51 pm
#41
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Jul 23, 2009, 2:59 pm
#42
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They use 1L frequently at JFK, as goalie had pointed out.
I remember boarding a MD-80 in BCN through the rear door, which is literally the rear end instead of on the side. That was a strange sensation.
BUT? 
I remember boarding a MD-80 in BCN through the rear door, which is literally the rear end instead of on the side. That was a strange sensation.
Jul 23, 2009, 8:39 pm
#43
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I remember boarding a MD-80 in BCN through the rear door, which is literally the rear end instead of on the side. That was a strange sensation.
Mar 28, 2010, 6:53 pm
#44
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The only time I ever used 1L on a 757 was when a ditsy FA also managed to detonate the life raft on 2L when trying to open the door upon arrival. But, it only took a few minutes for the GA to move the jet bridge back, and move it around to 1L. I do not now remember the airport. Sorry that it took much longer for you.
on Tuesday at JFK we used 1L to board and deplane a PS 757, I didn't know that was so unusual, Gate 8 at JFK.
Mar 28, 2010, 7:14 pm
#45
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