How Do I Avoid Group 5 Boarding?
 

I am no longer elite on UA. I am booking a ticket SAN-ORD-CLD in February. I have always been elite and sat in E+, so I have no idea how they board or where I should choose a seat.

Would a window in the back get me on sooner than an aisle behind the exit row?

Assistance appreciated.

Check in luggage
 

Be prepared to checkin your luggage. Normally all groups ones are united credit card holders. Etc. Group two are window seat passengers, group three are middle seat and group four are aisle seat. Not so sure where five is...

you can also just purchase Premier Line access (starting at 9 bucks) for your flight.
available on united.com

easiest way would be to just get a window seat.
You'll be in group 2.

How to avoid group 5? Book a UA ticket, since UA only goes to 4 for boarding zones. :D

Windows in the back will be zone 2, though depending on the flight you may still end up boarding after half the passengers (as elites will board first, then pax in E+ / credit card holders / Premier Access pax will be zone 1). You can always buy Premier Access for the flight.

UA only has 4 boarding zones. Don't worry about it. ;)

Thanks for the info. I was just on US Airways and they had 5.

Window in the back it is. I may look into Premier line.

On UA metal, your window seat doesn't have to be in the back, as all "regular" window seats are seating area 2. You can be as close to the front as you can get. Not sure about CO metal, though.

purchase premiere access. it's cheap and easy.

But if he wants OHB space, the elites will consume that upfront. Just sayin'.
Also consider a credit card that provides an early-boarding "benefit."

Best of luck to you. I am Premiere Exec. now and unless I want to stand in line for at least a half an hour before boarding begins I often have to go several rows behind my seat just to find overhead space for my one small computer bag I carry on. Granted, I am flying out of a UA hub and often to another hub so maybe that is the difference. I think Rcling28 said it best "be prepared to check your luggage"