Is there a method to the upgrade seating algorithm?
#17
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
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So are you saying that the example I provided is 'odd', or that the result of the algorithm results in odd seating for families? I would agree with the latter. That's my point.
#19
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Is there a method to the upgrade seating algorithm?
Interesting...when I get an advance CPU, ice found that I am always seated per my aisle preference assuming there is one and it assigns a seat at all.
There have also been a handful of times when I get the email saying seats will be assigned at the airport, I go online to select a seat, and it doesn't take, because apparently it decided to assign a different seat just ehen I went to select one. I find this very odd behavior.
There have also been a handful of times when I get the email saying seats will be assigned at the airport, I go online to select a seat, and it doesn't take, because apparently it decided to assign a different seat just ehen I went to select one. I find this very odd behavior.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
You are wrong on the last part - they absolutely do clear standbys into E- now by default as part of the automated process. See for yourself next time you're standing at a gate with some time to spare. This might have been true at some time in the past but it's not true now. You can either look at the cleared standbys screen, or the seatmap itself.
Last edited by l etoile; Apr 17, 2013 at 3:53 pm Reason: Edited to remove snark
#21
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Like many, I of course have this box checked, and like many, I pretty much never get these e-mails (maybe ~10% of the time, best guess, since 3/3). PMUA wasn't perfect with this, but I was well over 50% in getting the notices.
Note that I went 2/2 last week on AA w/T-100 UGs and UG emails like clockwork though...somehow they've figured it out
Note that I went 2/2 last week on AA w/T-100 UGs and UG emails like clockwork though...somehow they've figured it out
#22
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And then read my post - I'm not talking about NRSAs, nor do I care about them. Of course NRSAs go into E+. I'm talking about revenue passengers on standby.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 17, 2013 at 4:12 pm Reason: quote/response thereto
#24
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Starwood Plat
Posts: 189
This seems to mesh exactly with what I've been seeing. Not that I clear CPUs at the 1K window much anymore, but when I do it always seems to throw me into row 1 which I really don't like because I'm not a fan of FC bulkhead seats with restricted legroom.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA1K - SPG Plat
Posts: 921
although spotty right after the merger, i have been receiving my upgrade emails about 20-30 minutes after the upgrade window opens (for the flights i have cleared - which has been the majority in 2013)
#26
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
#27
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Posts: 832
Thankfully this was reprogrammed in mid to late 2012.
I still prefer how legacy UA agents usually clear NRSA - one by one at the podium, and letting you know what seats are open.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 17, 2013 at 4:13 pm Reason: quote
#28
Join Date: May 2011
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#29
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
This is actually a difference between United and PMUA. PMUA didn't use to assign seats when a UDU cleared. You had to log in and do it. But now that there is an algorithm (front to back) that does it, two 1K companions travelling together on different locators have a much harder time of getting seats together because even if you log in right away after a sweep, the algorithm has already put pax in seats, and thus the cement has set.
And while this really is a first world problem, this has become the hardest thing to acquire in this day in age of CPUs and especially ToD upgrades - two seats together.
My wife and I fly a lot and now that we have a baby, it isn't easy to be worrying about the baby+supplies and then ask folks if they don't mind swapping out seats, since it seems that if my CPU clears as a 1K, there are no other seats at all to select from.
I really really miss PMUA's way of doing this - I could *always* get two seats together, since I was active and *knew* when my upgrade would go through, since NF space was visible!
Wow, what a thought - systems that actually worked and were predictable...oh wait, Jeffy Jeff wouldn't make enough cash to fill his pockets with, if he did that!
-jeremy
#30
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,402
And THIS is exactly our situation.
On the other hand, I have yet to find anyone who refuses to swap seats considering their alternative is to sit next to a baby, LOL!
Interestingly, we went from being a 6A/6B couple on a 757 to a 1A/1B couple after kids. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get the F bulkhead anymore because the CO algorithm auto-fills that row, whereas PMUA assumed (rightly so) that the F bulkhead was the least desirable seats in the cabin and thus the bulkhead seats often were available right up until the finally UGers were cleared at the gate.
And yes, it is truly a FirstWorldProblem..... and for sure, don't even THINK about complaining about it to any of your other parent friends! It's also not a topic that usually comes up on the MommyBlogs.
On the other hand, I have yet to find anyone who refuses to swap seats considering their alternative is to sit next to a baby, LOL!
Interestingly, we went from being a 6A/6B couple on a 757 to a 1A/1B couple after kids. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get the F bulkhead anymore because the CO algorithm auto-fills that row, whereas PMUA assumed (rightly so) that the F bulkhead was the least desirable seats in the cabin and thus the bulkhead seats often were available right up until the finally UGers were cleared at the gate.
And yes, it is truly a FirstWorldProblem..... and for sure, don't even THINK about complaining about it to any of your other parent friends! It's also not a topic that usually comes up on the MommyBlogs.