Hello. I'm a new OnePass member, joining OnePass a couple of days ago before purchasing a BWI - IAH First Class seat. (I've been flying US/UN exclusively for years but can't mess with a connecting flight on the outbound this trip, and knew US would get me nothing in the way of a CO upgrade so just bought the ticket.) [Well, from reading through these posts, you'all make it sound like I'll be so spoiled by the CO FC, I'll never go back..... :-) ]

My question is, does anyone know if the FC ticket (without OnePass tier status) gets me in the seperate check-in line at BWI with the status OnePassers (I'm assumming there is one.) Also, just confirming that from the FAQ, there's no seperate TSA security line for CO at BWI? .....I'm asking to figure out the 'real' time I have to arrive before my flight... Thanx!

Welcome to OnePass and to the CO forum. Your first class ticket will allow you to use the EliteAccess/First Class lines at the ticket counters and the famous EliteAccess blue carpet at the gate. In other words, if you do not board the aircraft with the rest of the first class passengers, you can step onto the EliteAccess carpet and cut the general boarding line. And, unfortunately, BWI does not have an EliteAccess security lane; however, the lines generally are only very long on weekdays from 7-9:30 a.m. and from 4:30-6:00 or 6:30. Even when the line for the security checkpoint extends down the adjacent hallway, it usually does not take more than 20-25 minutes to get through.

Thanks! Info much appeciated! Hmmnn....the "Blue Carpet" has me intrigued... if I miss boarding when FC is called at US/UN, I walk to the front of the Zone Three boarding passengers as unobtrusively as possible --- and hope no one hurles bad fruit at my head....HA!

I'll post my after-flight observations on the CO FC experience, compared to US or United. I think this is my first 'betrayal' in close to 10 years.

Just a warning....

BWI is the WORST about enforcing the EliteAccess lane. Usually they just board everyone through the EliteAccess lane.

If you try to board after FC and Elites have already been called, you're going to have to cut in front of the masses standing all over that lovely blue carpet.

The hateful stares don't keep me from doing it though

I'm a BWI regular and I haven't really noticed that they board everyone through the EA lane more than at any other station. That said, if I ever find myself in that situation, I just get in the general boarding lane and hand the GA my EA boarding pass.

Just flew F (EUA as a silver, so not bad) yesterday, BWI/IAH and no problems with boarding. Of course, it always pays to board at the first call or you still have to wait in line on the jetway even after you get past the famed blue carpet.

Welcome to CO and we'll all be interested to hear your trip report.

You could always ask the FA to serve your beverage in a plastic cup if you want to feel at home.

I've noticed that, too. When it happens, I just walk over the plebian carpet and get my satisfaction from the scowlling masses