May 21, 2013, 10:43 am
Last edit by: aacharya
Source: https://hub.united.com/en-us/News/Co...g-process.aspx
Pre-Boarding
Premier Access Boarding
*A Star Alliance Silver who is not a Premier Silver is not eligible for Premier Access boarding.
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
Pre-Boarding
- Customers with Disabilities
- Global Services
- Uniformed Military Personnel
- Families with Children Age Two and Under
Premier Access Boarding
- Group 1: Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, BusinessFirst, and First.
- Group 2: Premier Gold, Star Gold, Premier Silver*, MileagePlus Presidential Plus, Club, Explorer and Awards, purchased Premier Access
*A Star Alliance Silver who is not a Premier Silver is not eligible for Premier Access boarding.
General boarding (Window Seats, then Middle Seats, then Aisle)
- Group 3 - Window Seats
- Group 4 - Middle Seats (Aisle Seats on UA Express)
- Group 5 - Aisle Seats
Note: If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.
Note: Self Boarding Gates are being tested at the following gates...
- IAH - Gate C25/C26 - See Post 2960, Includes YouTube video from CO777DAL
- IAH - Gate E4 - Old test from pmCO days, See Thread Here
- BOS - Self boarding gates are now back in *LIMITED* use at least at gates B25 and B26
sUA Boarding Times by Aircraft (AFA)
United's Current Boarding Process (with Wiki) [Revised, May 2013]
Jan 11, 2013, 2:35 pm
#976
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1P MM
Posts: 112
Only do this for actual issues. A completely unworkable boarding process is such an issue, but only when you have actually seen it fail in process, while you wanted to board.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:46 pm
#977
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
I did qualify my statement. But come on, we all know full well who wears the pants in this marriage, surviving legacy UA policies and C-suiters notwithstanding.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:49 pm
#978
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
those three people, legacy UA execs, lead the departments that most people are complaining about (marketing, operations [boarding] and Mileage Plus). You're not the only one that has implied that this is a CO show, but in fact those three positions dictate a lot of the customer facing policies complained about here.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:52 pm
#979
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
those three people, legacy UA execs, lead the departments that most people are complaining about (marketing, operations [boarding] and Mileage Plus). You're not the only one that has implied that this is a CO show, but in fact those three positions dictate a lot of the customer facing policies complained about here.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:55 pm
#980
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I have not flown United since implementing the new boarding process, and won't fly United until the end of February.
As long as the new boarding process:
1. Minimize the crowding around the gate areas
2. Passengers know clearly know where they should be so boarding can be done in an orderly fashion
3. Minimize congestion at the jetway and in the aisle during the boarding process
4. Gate agents implement the process with consistency throughout the network
5. Don't hold up scheduled departure time
I will be happy with the changes.
If not, I will join the my fellow FTers chants for changes...but I have to observe and experience the new boarding process first before jumping into conclusion.
As long as the new boarding process:
1. Minimize the crowding around the gate areas
2. Passengers know clearly know where they should be so boarding can be done in an orderly fashion
3. Minimize congestion at the jetway and in the aisle during the boarding process
4. Gate agents implement the process with consistency throughout the network
5. Don't hold up scheduled departure time
I will be happy with the changes.
If not, I will join the my fellow FTers chants for changes...but I have to observe and experience the new boarding process first before jumping into conclusion.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:56 pm
#981
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
It seems a bit of a stretch to think that Smisek was personally involved in the details of the boarding process.
There's probably mandates to the various underlings to balance speedy boarding with customer loyalty, and this is the result. Clearly there were a few hands in this pot that spoiled the stew.
There's probably mandates to the various underlings to balance speedy boarding with customer loyalty, and this is the result. Clearly there were a few hands in this pot that spoiled the stew.
Jan 11, 2013, 2:58 pm
#982
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1
Looks like United is trying to devalue their mileage plus program. First they cut the amount of bonus miles given per status level. Then Silvers couldnt book economy plus at booking, had to wait until check in. Now Golds have to board with CC members?? How many of your credit card members will actually spend the same amount of money on their credit card as your loyal fyers do on tickets? I spend between 10k and 20k per year to achieve my Gold status and get the same perks as a CC holder who might not even spend any money on the card?
Jan 11, 2013, 3:01 pm
#983
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Do any other US airlines do this?
Jan 11, 2013, 3:11 pm
#984
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 320
I have not flown United since implementing the new boarding process, and won't fly United until the end of February.
As long as the new boarding process:
1. Minimize the crowding around the gate areas
2. Passengers know clearly know where they should be so boarding can be done in an orderly fashion
3. Minimize congestion at the jetway and in the aisle during the boarding process
4. Gate agents implement the process with consistency throughout the network
5. Don't hold up scheduled departure time
I will be happy with the changes.
If not, I will join the my fellow FTers chants for changes...but I have to observe and experience the new boarding process first before jumping into conclusion.
As long as the new boarding process:
1. Minimize the crowding around the gate areas
2. Passengers know clearly know where they should be so boarding can be done in an orderly fashion
3. Minimize congestion at the jetway and in the aisle during the boarding process
4. Gate agents implement the process with consistency throughout the network
5. Don't hold up scheduled departure time
I will be happy with the changes.
If not, I will join the my fellow FTers chants for changes...but I have to observe and experience the new boarding process first before jumping into conclusion.
1) Crowding was not minimized
2) Passengers knew when to board but did not care
3) Congestion was same as alwways
4) New process was implemented on first flight...second flight (Express) they called all groups at the same time)
5) Neither impacted departure
Jan 11, 2013, 3:20 pm
#985
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO; SJC
Programs: UA Silver; WN; Marriott; SPG; Hilton; IHG; National; TSA Pre; Clear
Posts: 199
Just got back from a trip with the supposed new changes:
1) Crowding was not minimized
2) Passengers knew when to board but did not care
3) Congestion was same as alwways
4) New process was implemented on first flight...second flight (Express) they called all groups at the same time)
5) Neither impacted departure
1) Crowding was not minimized
2) Passengers knew when to board but did not care
3) Congestion was same as alwways
4) New process was implemented on first flight...second flight (Express) they called all groups at the same time)
5) Neither impacted departure
Jan 11, 2013, 3:27 pm
#986
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
*Call preboards (Uniformed, GS, more times)
*1 -take a breath- 2,3 -take a breath- all other groups
(not a complaint.. got there on time.. For me boarding is such a minor issue, as both a silver and a gold I have always been able to stow my carry on... Inflight is so much more important)
Jan 11, 2013, 3:32 pm
#987
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Charlottesville
Programs: UA Gold, VX Gold, AA PLT, DL Gold, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hertz 5* Gold
Posts: 469
Explorer Card holders: "Congrats GS/1K. You're out!"
Just stopped by gate C11 at IAD to board for my 5:58 pm to SAN. The whole gate area is a mess. Premiers, kettles, card holders...all in the Premier line. And the GAs are calling Zones 1 and 2...at the same time. 
Congrats GS/1K. Now you get to fight with the Plats, the Golds, and us Silvers. And we all have to fight with the kettles.
I will post a picture or two when I get to SAN.
Congrats GS/1K. Now you get to fight with the Plats, the Golds, and us Silvers. And we all have to fight with the kettles.
I will post a picture or two when I get to SAN.
Jan 11, 2013, 3:33 pm
#988
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1k Million Miler
Posts: 355
Maybe they should just issue the gate agents a starter pistol and have them get out of the way.
Last edited by n9536j; Jan 11, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Jan 11, 2013, 3:38 pm
#989
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: 1K, MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 427
$misek...a change you will like.
Jan 11, 2013, 3:38 pm
#990
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,224