Another week, another IRROPs. Last week, it was at LAX and mostly pmUA agents. I was disappointed that after 2+ months, they are still confused on how to use the system.

Yesterday, I had a big delay at a pmCO station (UA did not serve it) going into IAH. While working with the agents on the altermatives, I found that the agents were also confused - whether it is using the system or rules on what they can / will do (one guy insisted that they will not do anything regardless of the reason while other agents were a lot more flexible).

Upon getting to my destination (made from the IAH B6x gates to C3x gates in 9 minutes ), I wanted to see if the the bag would make the flight. Again, pmCO agents (you can tell by the uniform) in my mixed UA/CO station were confused.

It seems they are improving the system by adding new applications for the agents. However, not all the applications are added to all the computers - causing confusions.

On top of that, on the baggage front, it seems they are still doing them separately. The CO agent said "some stations scan, some stations don't". The UA agent pulled me to the side and said "UA scans, CO's own ramp agents are beginning to scan, CO's contract ramp agents do not scan".

It was funny seeing the two agents working side-by-side. UA agent was definitely more friendly but you can tell the CO agent was in charge. At one point, the UA agent had to defer to the CO agent about whether they will take the claim of a passenger's broken bag. Probably has nothing to do with CO or UA - just based on their seniority.

Amazingly, my bag made it too!

So, I can see the integration pain lasting a lot past 7/15. Maybe another "please don't leave while we work out the kinks" bonus will be in order