Originally Posted by
jonsailor
.... You plan to get to the airport a couple of hours before boarding. ,,,,I've also heard the argument that if the ticket is a flexible fare you should NOT check in on line in case your ride to the airport in involved in a crash and you miss your flight? ...
And how often has that occurred to you?
I will admit once in 500+ trips that has happened to me and I still made the flight.
And if by flexibly fare, you mean refundable, that can be done after flight departure. And for non-refundable fares UA has a Flat Tire "policy" that as long as you arrive within a couple of hours after of scheduled departure, UA will rebook you. If not, call to get rebooked.
Not sure your source of advice but not checingk-in earlier is generally a bad idea and provides less cushioning for glitches. UA requires you check-in by 60 minutes before international departure and I have made international flights arriving at the airport well under 60 minutes (having checked in long before).
The only reason to delay check-in has to do with upgrades for multi-passenger PNR, otherwise -- check-in in at least a couple hours before departure. Not doing so is bad advice.