Do flights still go under Gate Control
Oct 30, 2013, 3:49 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,903
Do flights still go under Gate Control
Apologies if already discussed, a search didn't turn up much.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,320
Well, what happens in SHARES is a computer terminal or terminals are designated 'control sets' for each flight, and certain functions cannot be performed on other SHARES terminals. Generally speaking, the functions that are restricted are related to gate functionality like clearing standbys and reconciling a flight. Any terminal can be designated a control set on a flight (I think) by using an entry to make the designation.
UA could be designating the terminals in the UC as control sets for all flights so they can process standbys and such, or the agent designated their set as one themselves. Regardless, the flexibility is there.
UA could be designating the terminals in the UC as control sets for all flights so they can process standbys and such, or the agent designated their set as one themselves. Regardless, the flexibility is there.
Oct 30, 2013, 5:41 pm
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LAX
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Posts: 212
Apologies if already discussed, a search didn't turn up much.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
Oct 30, 2013, 5:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: One Pass
Posts: 250
Well, what happens in SHARES is a computer terminal or terminals are designated 'control sets' for each flight, and certain functions cannot be performed on other SHARES terminals. Generally speaking, the functions that are restricted are related to gate functionality like clearing standbys and reconciling a flight. Any terminal can be designated a control set on a flight (I think) by using an entry to make the designation.
UA could be designating the terminals in the UC as control sets for all flights so they can process standbys and such, or the agent designated their set as one themselves. Regardless, the flexibility is there.
UA could be designating the terminals in the UC as control sets for all flights so they can process standbys and such, or the agent designated their set as one themselves. Regardless, the flexibility is there.
Apologies if already discussed, a search didn't turn up much.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
In the past flights went under "gate control" a certain time before departure. Meaning that only the GAs could do certain things.
At times I might be at the airport early and ask the United Club (or RCC, then) agent if there was room on the earlier flight. The agent would often say "there's room, but I need to contact the gate" (if they were good) or "you'll need to go down to the gate" (if they were bad.) In the former case, the UC agent would call the gate and get me booked on the flight, after which they could print my BP. In a variation, at least once the UC agent looked at me and said "I'm going to make the GA mad by fussing with their inventory, but here's your new BP." In another variation they'd put me on the standby list, and by the time I got down to the gate my new BP was already printed and waiting for me.
Last week I was flying through LGA and after already changing flights online once, I arrived at the club at 3:30 when the 4:00 was already boarding.
I said something like "I guess I missed any chance at the 4:00", and the UC agent replied, "not at all" and just printed a new BP. I said something like "isn't the flight under gate control", and the person looked at me like I was from Mars.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 30, 2013 at 7:49 pm Reason: merge
Oct 30, 2013, 6:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Any agent can book and re issue a ticket, however only the gate where the flight is restricted can assign seats and check you in. In practice if the flight is booked heavy and is already boarding, the customer is sent to the gate. It isn't about a "good" or "bad" agent not calling the gate, it's about limiting the distractions to the gate agents working diligently to get the flight out in a timely manor. A word of advice: If you see that there is a scheduled flight departing within 40 minutes or so, go directly to that gate, not the service center/club or anywhere else. That is your best shot.
Oct 30, 2013, 6:23 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: UA1K, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 212
I've had a 1K agent on the phone accomplish things before a front line employee standing in front of me could be bothered to. Venue shopping with United is a new skillset of mine post-merger.
Oct 30, 2013, 6:59 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 928
I think such has always been the case, i.e., certain folks tend to be more helpful than others (and some just try their best to be not helpful). For the most part, I am greeted with good customer service (and I don't think it's just about status). Yet, I've had some pretty bad service from a couple of rotten apples that it makes it difficult for them not to spoil one's general attitude.
Oct 30, 2013, 7:24 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: One Pass
Posts: 250
Well unfortunately, I might have do the same thing depending on the circumstances as I'm under pressure to get my flight out on time. When the flight is restricted and boarding commences, it's pretty much go time. Many of us will do what we can, but sometimes we may just have to say "we can't" as we have so much to get done in the final 30 minutes before departure time. If the SFO UX GA had time to process the SDC then it should have been done. But if there was no time, then the poor girl could have gotten there a bit earlier, or better yet purchased the flight she was trying to get on from the beginning. Sounds like her worst case scenario was that she had to take her original flight that she purchased.
Oct 30, 2013, 11:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Accor Plat, Htz PC, Natl ExEm, other random status
Posts: 2,876
Well unfortunately, I might have do the same thing depending on the circumstances as I'm under pressure to get my flight out on time. When the flight is restricted and boarding commences, it's pretty much go time. Many of us will do what we can, but sometimes we may just have to say "we can't" as we have so much to get done in the final 30 minutes before departure time. If the SFO UX GA had time to process the SDC then it should have been done. But if there was no time, then the poor girl could have gotten there a bit earlier, or better yet purchased the flight she was trying to get on from the beginning. Sounds like her worst case scenario was that she had to take her original flight that she purchased.
It's one thing to be too busy to help, but nobody is ever too busy to be polite.
Greg