beachfan

Does that mean the ExPlats can't use Business Class check in? That's what I've always done, but I haven't had to go to the counter in a couple of months as I'm either carrying on or using a skycap.

Wayne Kao

Have had the same thing happen a few times at JFK when the kiosks and mobile app wouldn't let me check in. The one Priority line was often slower than the main line with fewer counter agents, just one or two agents (rumor was someone didn't show up for work), and with the 1.5 hour wait just to talk to a person, I nearly missed my flight each time. People in the line were always extremely upset that one time-consuming issue upfront could hold up an entire line of elites. And it didn't help that employees would try to block people from entering the line and steer us to the kiosks even though it was obvious those weren't doing the trick... why else would we voluntarily wait an hour in line?

These IT issues have always been on international flights for me, probably cause of a SWU that didn't get applied quite right, so I'm excited that Flagship Check-In is open to EPs now to save me next time.

AADFW

So is there a Flagship check-in at LAX still or not? I wasn't aware that EXPs were allowed to use a Flagship check in for international itineraries if not in F, but that's great news if so. Just goes to show that AA does a terrible job at keeping EXPs regularly informed of what the latest benefits and policies are, because they think of us all like corn or wheat -- we are all nothing but a giant commodity to AA management.

Often1

The problem isn't segmenting below CK's, it is about having enough kiosks and people to handle the load. At a small station, if there are two counter agents and both are tied up with a complex mess, there really isn't much to be done. But, at major stations, AA has a good experiential idea of how many people it needs to keep the line moving. It is simply a matter of staffing.

Fraser

JFK did this about a year ago. There used to be one premium area (ignoring Flagship Check-In) with separate Emerald/FC and Sapphire/Business desks, then when premium check-in moved to be adjacent to Flagship Check-In everyone from Ruby/Business Class upwards was lumped together. I only had to use it a couple of times but it moved fairly quickly as there is one line but about 8 agents. Now as a BA Emerald I can use Flagship Check-In so it's all good

Yes, it's still there. The rules for access changed over the summer months to include EXPs on some itineraries plus non-AA Emeralds on all flights and whilst I, personally wasn't expecting any communication from AAdvantage, it caught me by surprise!

nk15

They sent an email about this to EXPs.

Fly2Where

Yes, the Flagship check in is still there.
I was there 2 weeks ago, LOOOOOOOOOONG line on priority check in counter, since I needed to check bag, I would probably missed the check bag cut off time if I had to wait on line. I asked the agent if there was Flagship check in, she asked me if I was flying international first class. I told her no, but I was flying LAX-JFK in F, she said no access (wrong), then said only very few route would qualify, then; I told her I was BA emerald, she said no access as well (wrong again), then I just asked her if she could tell me where was the Flagship counter. She warned me I will be turned away, I said it's ok. It's right next to curbside check in (exit the priority check in, turn right 30 meters), there was a man guarding the entrance. Of course I got in with no issue. Then he escorted me using the elevator to TSA line, cut the (nowadayeveryoneisprecheck) line as well, very thoughtful.

HypnoticSpecter

Flagship check for EXP has to be travelling in qualifying flight (in short, international, with few exceptions). LAX has it in terminal 4 curb side with special entrance. I will be using it few hours later =)

Anybody tried the new flagship lounge? If nothing too amazing I will be sticking with my good old Qantas F lounge.

andersonCooper

No harm to drop by, but nah it's not as good as QF F IMO.

jcatman

A "CLEAR" membership eliminates this issue every time.

Hengilas

This has been a horrible change. I used to love the immediate check -in I would get as an EXP. Now, not so much...always takes forever. No idea why they did this.

E55

Might it be by time? Segmented gold, plat/biz, first/exp during the high time, and a single line at off hours?

When were these flights with the long single priority line? What time?

HypnoticSpecter

andersonCooper

lol if I were at JFK T8 where nothing was nearby, I would definitely do Flagship, take a shower and no complaints. But in a highly competitive (lounge-wise) airport like LAX, HKG, LHR, that's another story.

wetrat0

It seems fairly deliberate to me. At my mid-sized outstation they lately staff the priority lane with one agent no matter how many people are in line. It's at the point where if there's anyone in line it's usually faster to check in on the kiosk and then wait in the bag drop line (which moves quickly because they have 5-6 agents working). It's pretty clear they really want you to use the kiosk.

I don't mind the kiosks terribly, I just wish there was a way to skip the game of 20 questions (do you have a lap child? are you checking sports equipment? are you a member of the military? would you like to buy extra miles?). It would be great to have something similar to the GE kiosk where there's a button you can press that says "No to all". It takes me 2-3 minutes to get through all those, I can only imagine how long it takes someone who isn't familiar with the process.