I found no problem with the Chicken for my recent intl itins from 3 airports (SFO, FRA and LHR).



QUOTE=TA;7857916]I feel like this is something related to the physical location of the machines, where they sit at the checkin counter. I think this makes people believe that they're not really there for a real purpose, that you're still waiting in line for a person. [/QUOTE]

You are right about location of the machines makes the difference. At UA's SFO Intl Terminal, the machine is located at one end of the long check-in counter. An attendant was on duty near the machine, who assisted with any luggage check. Took less than 3 minutes for me to totally checked in with 2 bags. Bag check and machine are at the same location.

At FRA termianl 1 (flying LH), the machines are far away from the check-in counter. Bag check counter is located at yet another location. Quite confusing if you don't fly LH @ FRA often. That said, LH had 2 to 3 attendants assisting pax at those machines. Friendly and effective.

At terminal 3 in LHR, the UA machines are located on the right-end of the check-in counters. The bag-check counter is located on the left-end. Not a big deal. But it would work much better if they are adjacent to each other.


[/QUOTE] Maybe UA should put these kiosks in clusters out in the lobby, like Qantas does? That way people would immediately see that they're the first step of checkin that they should do as they arrive, and not wait in a line? QF, for example, relies on this in conjunction with a dedicated bag drop line after you've checked in. [/QUOTE]

Totally agree !