gfowler-ord-1k is correct to conclude that UA's policy promises first boarding, esp. to the highest elites. The heading says it, if not the actual body of the promise. As a "worldwide legacy" carrier, UA should be more focused on consistent delivery of what we are promised and on what we rely. After having to take a few flights recently on WN, it's amazing how consistent that "upstart" carrier is from station-to-station and flight-to-flight and it has no elite program.

Absent an emergency, providing elite benefits should not turn on whether you are boarding in SEA gate N-15 at 11a.m. on 23 May or DEN gate B-23 at 6 p.m. on 25 May.