Originally Posted by
SMF Rider
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I like the UA system. It gives the agent discretion. I don’t have to be the first on the list to get a bump nor wait until the end to get processed. Once when a GA knew he had too many people due to a down gauge, when he saw my boarding pass he immediately rebooked us and let us take off for the RCC rather than wait until the very end when he determined who made the cut and processed them. He had a need, he had a list, but he wasn’t processing very many people when he processed me as he seemed to be waiting to see who volunteered and the best bump solutions for UA. It looked like he didn’t plan on taking people in the order they signed up. Other times I have had GAs move me to the top of the list because of my MP level.
I realize there are people who may be upset that status has given me extra bumps, but better, more expeditious treatment is sometimes a benefit of flying the same carrier frequently. I happily yield to a GS, absolutely do not begrudge their better benefits and am very glad they spend tens of thousands with UA on high price fares as that keeps UA in the air so that I can continue to fly UA.
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+1 to this point, which often gets lost in the systems talk. I really don't yet know how flexible PMCO was on this point, but flexibility within reason can make or break a trip and I've had more than my share of happy outcomes on PMUA.
About 2 million miles ago, I had to choose between primary loyalty to AA or UA. While AA had noticeably superior systems, the agents seemed to have become slaves to the system, unable to apply their own judgment when the situation called for it. Needless to say, I decided to give up on the AAdvantage and instead chose to Fly the Friendly Skies.