blueman2

Just completed 2 segments with the new system. I took pics which I will upload later. First from LAX to IAH. Red eye mid con (ugh.... as someone else mentioned, friends don't let friends fly red eye mid cons). The GA was very clear about new boarding process and asked firmly twice DO NOT APPROACH until you group is called. Also said twice DO NOT BLOCK the entry. For the first time in my last 10 segments I was able to actually walk right up when GS was called.. Also, I noticed that the GA did not proceed to group 1 until I was down the walkway, so plenty of time to ensure other GS could make it.

Then came IAH to FLL. Opposite in all regards. GA did not say anything to set expectations. Lice were everywhere at t-5. Called out military, waited 3 seconds, called out GS and without any pause also Group 1. I stood well back as always until boarding call, and was only able to be mid pack of about 25 people in group 1.

Morale is it is all up to how the GA does their job. If they do it well, this system (and I think any system) works well. If not, then not.

leonidas

Just made Gold for the first time in life. What a way to welcome a new elite member! Half the flight will now board with my group. The old days of gate-checking my carry on are coming back.

airarchtx

This new boarding process sucks!!! Was just on a flight from PHL-IAH in Paid F. Arrived at the gate 5 minutes before boarding and they had already started boarding Group 1. By the time I had gotten on the plane all of the overhead bins in F were full as well as every bind back to row 21. I gate checked my bag instead of playing salmon at the end of my flight. there were 3 other PAX in F that did the exact same thing. Another PAX in F decided to put his bag in row 22. he waited in an F seat until the plane cleared to get his bag. PATHETIC on all accounts.

There is no longer any benefit to being a 1K member. It is a travesty that you have to be a GS in order to get any kind of special treatment. I guess 100K+ miles doesn't mean anything to $misek. Looks like I am going to take a status match with AA. Speaking with my $$$.

vnatraj

[QUOTE=GoAmtrak;20021896]I'm sorry, but let's not pretend that we don't all have parochial interests to protect. 75K is a lot of flying and as a PP I'm sure you feel that the recognition of Group 1 is proper. It's positive that UA retained both the PP and 1K levels. But I think you're comparing apples to oranges. PMUA 1Ks were used an exclusive boarding lane that had no lower tiers, not just a higher boarding priority.

At some point you have to exclude lower tiers to make it really work.


[\QUOTE]

I fully agree with you. You and other 1Ks have flown more than me and hence deserve higher priority. No question about that. My main issue is with 1Ks who would love to board with GSes and then proceed to give pious statements about why Plats should not board with them. By the same token, Plats should before Golds and so on.

Plane-is-home

I blame the boarding group 1 on the GS pass for that behavior. Happens 9 out of 10 times to me.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

No. It's been abused too often.

I think it's been noted that the credit card users w/o status are very few. It's just the number of elites.

Maybe UA ought to increase the hurdle for elite levels - maybe to 50k/100k/150k. That ought to thin the ranks at the top. Also make CC holders purchase W fare or higher to get priority boarding. They could still advertise "Priority Boarding" but with an * and the requisite small print.

Critic

You could always just PM him. His username is mccartneys.

vnatraj

So you are saying that a mom with a 6-month old infant should not be allowed to pre board just because others have abused the privilege?

Agreed. The GAs should enforce the rule and prevent abuse. I still think legitimate cases shoud at the very least be treated on a case by case basis with clear instructions given to GAs on what to look for.

aacharya

Sure. Then what about that same mom who then brings two parents a Fifteen year old nephew and four carryons with them.

aacharya

Blame your fellow F pax. I have NEVER seen Y pax place their bags in F starting w Group 1. The F pax and FAs normally enforce it as well.

fivevsone

On SEA-SFO tonight. A319 63 premier members based on list and upgrades. Group one was about ~30 but it appeared smooth. everyone quickly stowing bags and etc.

On the SFO-IAD redeye. 752. It is also a premier-fest something like 70 total premier. Will see how it goes. It is not at one of the newly organized gates.

WineCountryUA

Have seen it happen, infrequent but not always enforced by FA

iamaho

+1
a baby should never be used (or allowed to be used) as a priority boarding pass!

urbanblacksheep

They sneak in now and then. I see it often on 757-200s.

Well, my 2 cents on this matter is that Group 1 is too big, GS should go first after families with kids, military, disabled, as pre board. Or GS + 1K. should be in 1 group. The Plat and Gold in second group. Credit card and silver in 3rd group. Then general suckers.

vnatraj

In that situation let the mom and infant pre board and ask the rest to board with their boarding group.

Edit: that was a reply to aacharya's post. Sorry first time using the iPhone app.