The Easy Check-in Machines are in place at EWR. But it's not so easy to use them.

Case in point: I went to give them a shot, Trying the "premEx method" I did this:

CM: Good Morning Mr. Easy Checkin

The Machine Glared at me

CM: Ok, I'll shove in my 1K card.

Did the steps

Mr. Easy Check-in: Sternly, "You must see a United Representative for further assistance"

CM: Ok Mr. Easy Check-in, I'll try my Diners Club card that I used to pay with the ticket.

Again, the same stern message as above.

CM: But you are supposed to be Mr. Easy Check-in

(Mr. Easy Check-in sticks its tongue out at me and tells me to get a lint brush for my cat hair covered bag!)

Then two United HUMAN angels, the chief purser and a man who looked like Santa Claus came over and helped me check in. Both said very few people are using the machin es and the MP elites are prefering to go to see Human check in people at the counters nearby.

They also know me from my frequent visits to EWR and thanked me for my business.

Mr. Easy Check-in Machine then broke and went out of service.

The Easy check-in machines seem friendly on the West Coast though.