small rant

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 6, 2008 | 2:50 pm

#31

Lafayetteflyer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: The high ground in Swamp 205 miles east of the Dungeon (IAH B-84)

Programs: CO Plat / Hilton Gold / RCL Diamond Plus

Posts: 144

Quote:

Originally Posted by channa

My favorite is in IAH when I get the 3-hour EUA on the way in and am notified by email, go ask the PC agents if there's any chance of clearing an upgrade on this segment, they tell me it's "checked in full."

I then say, "I know, and I'm one of them. Just reprint the pass."

When confronted like that, they often make up an excuse. "Oh, I was looking in the wrong place," or something like that.

I believe CO was talking about moving some of the kiosks inside security for people to look at stuff like this themselves. It would eliminate this problem.

Even better add Kiosks with software that would let any elite OP member who inserts their elite OP card to add himself or champion (if Gold or Plat) to the upgrade list AND provide info on his position on the list like:

"You are 5th (and your companion is 6th) of 10 on the upgrade list and currently 13 of 18 seats have already checked in. This is a dynamic situation which constantly changes so there is no guarantee that you will or will not get an upgrade. The GAs have the same information as this so please don't bother them asking about you upgrade status as they have been now been directed to refer you back to these Kiosk for upgrade information. (Instead of saying FC is checked in full without looking) Thank you for flying Continental"

This would eliminate a lot of confusion, cut out distractions for the busy GAs and provide transparency to a situation where many OP members feel that the system is not actually working as advertised.

Last edited by Lafayetteflyer; Jan 6, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Jan 6, 2008 | 9:11 pm

#32

ContinentalFan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2006

Location: Los Angeles, California

Programs: United LT-GS, AA LT-Plat, Hyatt LT-Globalist, Hilton LT-Diamond, Marriott LT-Titanium, Hertz PC

Posts: 15,813

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeTheWorldInAMiddleSeat

Keeping the standby lists (F and Y) underwraps is a policy that has been in effect for years. Back in the days of paid upgrades, several types of certificate upgrades, as well as certain types of Elite upgrades the list was constantly changing. Mr. Gold would be told he was "first on the list" at the ticket counter however by the time he arrived at the gate he would be third. In most cases, the change was understood but there would always be someone ready to do battle. So, to put it plainly, to avoid the drama the list was never revealed. A simple "you are on the upgrade list" was the standard line.
At this point, the upgrade program has been so automated that as long as everyone has an understanding of the order there shouldn't be any harm in posting it but we will have to wait for the Big Bosses to make that call!

Welcome to FT!

I agree that nowadays there shouldn't be a problem. As others have pointed out, both AA and DL each has a public list. People can sit and watch their names drop down as others, with higher status, join the queue. If anything, I believe it eases the burden on the gate agents, since the list is there for all to see. In the case of DL, once your name clears, you appear on a different list. You can then walk up to the desk and ask for the new boarding pass.