Learm something every day...
 

It has never crossed my mind to get in the general check in queue when flying FC. I figure if they didn't want FC customers to get in that line they would block it off. I've also never had anyone challenge me or complain. If they did I'd probably just tell them to complain to the airline if they don't like the policy!

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far. It seems the responses are pretty evenly split between: use the Preferred line every time, or only use it when there is a designated Preferred/1st Class agent working.

I must admit that I'm not sure I ever really paid attention to the sign over any particular agent's station, and may not have noticed there was one. I usually just get in line, and go up to whichever agent becomes available. I'll have to start paying more attention, and notice whether there is a dedicated agent or not.

I guess I always assumed that if there's an open Preferred line, I could use it, regardless of which agent had what sign at their staion. Often, especially at SJU and with US, the whole scene behind the check-in counter appears to be a free-for-all, with various people moving around somewhat randomly to different areas of the check-in counter. It's sometimes not easy to tell who is supposed to be working where, even if you're at the head of the line, much less at the back of the crowd.

Any other input appreciated.

David

My thoughts exactly and the same thing for an elite in Y. If they do not want me as an elite to be using the elite line they should have taken down the signs and rolled up the carpet. If a sign is there saying "XYZ Air Elite FFs" and I am an elite on XYZ Air I am going to use that line; even if there is only 1 agent checking in. The agent should call me over when I am at the front of the line ahead of a regular coach pax; otherwise the line has no purpose.

Before I get flamed I know this is queue jumping but that is a benefit the airline decided to create; not me.

Now don't get me started on people using the elite line on US with that stupid credit card down at FLL who are trying to check in their entire wardrobe and it takes forever to do so.

This is no different that the elite boarding carpets on UA, NWA, CO.... They are there for a reason, so don't feel bad about using them.

That's a security violation. Unattended bags are assumed to be bombs.

Apples and oranges. There is no Elite line in the supermarket.

I agree with AldoNOLA and the others. If they didn't want people to use the Elite queue then they would block it off and herd everyone into the General queue.

ever consider that if the airline was offering elite check in services at the time you arrived that they would make it obvious so that other customers don't get pissed off at you?

i think you are claiming intentional ignorance. there are hundreds of "non blocked off" lines, counters, gates etc at the airport that are not staffed. i doubt i would see you waiting at those lines... because its pretty clear those counters are not open even if its not blocked off.

so you want the airline to pick up all the elite signs and ropes etc and store them in a closet every time they decide to merge everyone into 1 queue?

lets assume that the intention of the airline is to temporarily only have 1 agent on duty and have asked the agent to serve in order of time waited. how much effort do you want the airline to put into making that clear?

No, I expect them to place a rope across the entrance indicating that line is closed. It's pretty simple--that's why the hooks are on each end of the rope. They move those ropes around all the time in the queues to shorten or lengthen the cattle chute as needed.

Same here

On my last trip the kiosk was not working, so the airline employee monitoring the line sent me to the front ahead of everybody else, there must have been 50 people on line. I'm not elite. I'm dirt. :D But the broken kiosk gave me priority.

Then the airline should rope off the elite line. Keep in mind that I did not create the benefit of the elite line; the airline did and I am simply taking advantage of any time saving devices open to me. I have never seen a checkin counter with only one agent and him/her calling people based on how long they have waited in line. However I have seen elite lines move much slower then regular lines for whatever reason.

Since you are on FT Bobster instead of being a member of the unwashed masses you can be a member of the washed masses. :D:p

Reminds me of my saga while waiting to check in for a DUB-FRA-SIN flight last December.

The LH Economy line was long enough that it curled around blocking off access to the Business/*G desk. I politely asked to get through and the seas parted, no problem there. Somebody was being seen to and I was next in line.

It was then a Russian lady (saw her passport) proceeded to start berating me, in Russian, from the Y line. I ignored her, of course, which lead her to come over, grab me by the arm, and try to pull me to the end of the Y line. The LH Station Manager, who was behind the desks, saw this, immediately came over and persuaded her back to her place. From that moment on until I was checked in and outta there, she did not stop yabbering in my direction for one second.

Later on boarding, I'm in my C seat as she gets on. On spotting me.... well, after a few seconds, you should have seen the look of embarrassment on her face when, finally, she got it. ;)

Suppose you had been in the small seats but also had equally legit access to that line through *A status. She might have continued to yell at you throughout the flight! :)

I have used the F line in SJU for US Airways when only one agent was checking in both lines. I did not feel at all bad about it, the line is there for a reason. I have also used the F checkin line at several other airports where both lines feed into 1 agent. I just let the agent either point to me and say next or call the next First Class.

What is a tad more awkward, but I still use it, are the express boarding lanes. If you enter the express boarding lane and they will ask the regular line to stop boarding and call you over to board.