Singled out for document verification on an international flight?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: DXB / KUO
Programs: AY, SQ, EK
Posts: 858
Singled out for document verification on an international flight?
I would be quite interested to hear everyone's feedback on the following minor incident (this was in May 2014, but did not think of starting this topic until posting about another issue with UA on FT recently).
- Would the following annoy you if you were in my shoes?
- Would you bother to complain?
Ticket: EWR-YYZ-TPE-SIN (first segment on UA regional partner ERJ-145 / next 2 segments on BR) / J class redemption using UA miles
Status in UA prog: 1K
"incident":
- boarding EWR-YYZ (group 1); upon seeing my passport, the gate agent said "country name, please step aside", while the rest of the pax continued to board
- I have a passport of one of those countries that qualify for visa free access to 173 countries:
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/sin...he-world-20140
- went to adjacent ticket desk to explain the issue
- the lady there told me to present passport + paperwork to enter SIN
- after a cursory check, she shouted to the gate agent that I was ok to board
-...and I was able to board among the tail end of the queue
- a/c was ERJ-145 (ExpressJet?)
Issue with this:
- basically group 1 boarding "privileges" not applicable to this traveller as a citizen of this European country (Canadians, US passport holders, a German passport holder seemed to be ok...)
- Losing bin space on ERJ-145 (I recall I had seat 2A)
- I felt the gate agent and the agent checking my papers were rude (and at US airports, one needs to shut up and not say anything in these situations)
- Paperwork is already verified at check-in, so why this issue at the gate?
- I also felt a little bit humiliated being sent away from the gate like someone trying to sneak in
"compo":
- this was my first complaint to UA and 5k miles given
- UA sent the standard response + miles within a few days, so fair enough
I do appreciate the gate agents are under a lot of pressure to make sure there are no issues with folks being sent back by Canadian immigration - presumably heavy fines to UA would follow and I guess not an ideal situation for the gate agent either if a passenger is sent back. I can also imagine that being a gate agent at EWR has its own pressures - so being friendly and polite at all times might be asking too much.
On the other hand, surely common sense would say that someone with 1K status, flying on a J ticket, holding a passport of a pretty decent country and on a flight from the US to Canada would not need to be singled out like this?
Hmmmmm, I have also taken the UA EWR-HKG flight twice this year, but my citizenship has not caused any delays there.
Your thoughts?
- Would the following annoy you if you were in my shoes?
- Would you bother to complain?
Ticket: EWR-YYZ-TPE-SIN (first segment on UA regional partner ERJ-145 / next 2 segments on BR) / J class redemption using UA miles
Status in UA prog: 1K
"incident":
- boarding EWR-YYZ (group 1); upon seeing my passport, the gate agent said "country name, please step aside", while the rest of the pax continued to board
- I have a passport of one of those countries that qualify for visa free access to 173 countries:
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/sin...he-world-20140
- went to adjacent ticket desk to explain the issue
- the lady there told me to present passport + paperwork to enter SIN
- after a cursory check, she shouted to the gate agent that I was ok to board
-...and I was able to board among the tail end of the queue
- a/c was ERJ-145 (ExpressJet?)
Issue with this:
- basically group 1 boarding "privileges" not applicable to this traveller as a citizen of this European country (Canadians, US passport holders, a German passport holder seemed to be ok...)
- Losing bin space on ERJ-145 (I recall I had seat 2A)
- I felt the gate agent and the agent checking my papers were rude (and at US airports, one needs to shut up and not say anything in these situations)
- Paperwork is already verified at check-in, so why this issue at the gate?
- I also felt a little bit humiliated being sent away from the gate like someone trying to sneak in
"compo":
- this was my first complaint to UA and 5k miles given
- UA sent the standard response + miles within a few days, so fair enough
I do appreciate the gate agents are under a lot of pressure to make sure there are no issues with folks being sent back by Canadian immigration - presumably heavy fines to UA would follow and I guess not an ideal situation for the gate agent either if a passenger is sent back. I can also imagine that being a gate agent at EWR has its own pressures - so being friendly and polite at all times might be asking too much.
On the other hand, surely common sense would say that someone with 1K status, flying on a J ticket, holding a passport of a pretty decent country and on a flight from the US to Canada would not need to be singled out like this?
Hmmmmm, I have also taken the UA EWR-HKG flight twice this year, but my citizenship has not caused any delays there.
Your thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: DFW
Programs: MP, AA
Posts: 44
I would be quite interested to hear everyone's feedback on the following minor incident (this was in May 2014, but did not think of starting this topic until posting about another issue with UA on FT recently).
- Would the following annoy you if you were in my shoes?
- Would you bother to complain?
Ticket: EWR-YYZ-TPE-SIN (first segment on UA regional partner ERJ-145 / next 2 segments on BR) / J class redemption using UA miles
Status in UA prog: 1K
"incident":
- boarding EWR-YYZ (group 1); upon seeing my passport, the gate agent said "country name, please step aside", while the rest of the pax continued to board
-[clip]
Your thoughts?
- Would the following annoy you if you were in my shoes?
- Would you bother to complain?
Ticket: EWR-YYZ-TPE-SIN (first segment on UA regional partner ERJ-145 / next 2 segments on BR) / J class redemption using UA miles
Status in UA prog: 1K
"incident":
- boarding EWR-YYZ (group 1); upon seeing my passport, the gate agent said "country name, please step aside", while the rest of the pax continued to board
-[clip]
Your thoughts?
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
I would let it go. I've travelled across the globe many times. Every once in a while, whether in the US or aboard, I am asked to step aside. Usually it's because of some strange routing.
One time, when boarding in EWR for MAD, my boarding pass signaled to GA. She said to the police standing close by "here he is." They took me aside and asked a few questions. I was a bit nervous. Something must have gotten me on a list. (I think it's because I had a one way ticket to Turkey - via a 6 month stop in MAD).
When you travel, these things happen.
No, they should not have been rude to you.
One time, when boarding in EWR for MAD, my boarding pass signaled to GA. She said to the police standing close by "here he is." They took me aside and asked a few questions. I was a bit nervous. Something must have gotten me on a list. (I think it's because I had a one way ticket to Turkey - via a 6 month stop in MAD).
When you travel, these things happen.
No, they should not have been rude to you.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,154
I once almost missed a flight to Rio due to agents in FLL not knowing the visa free entry status for UK passport holder.
They didn't care one little bit that they would be doing all those checks in IAH later down the line, nor did the visa stamps from 8 previous trips to Brazil convince them. The only thing they were prepared to believe was the computer screen in front of them - that was down at the time.
They didn't care one little bit that they would be doing all those checks in IAH later down the line, nor did the visa stamps from 8 previous trips to Brazil convince them. The only thing they were prepared to believe was the computer screen in front of them - that was down at the time.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
- went to adjacent ticket desk to explain the issue
- the lady there told me to present passport + paperwork to enter SIN
- after a cursory check, she shouted to the gate agent that I was ok to board
-...and I was able to board among the tail end of the queue
- a/c was ERJ-145 (ExpressJet?)
Issue with this:
- basically group 1 boarding "privileges" not applicable to this traveller as a citizen of this European country (Canadians, US passport holders, a German passport holder seemed to be ok...)
- the lady there told me to present passport + paperwork to enter SIN
- after a cursory check, she shouted to the gate agent that I was ok to board
-...and I was able to board among the tail end of the queue
- a/c was ERJ-145 (ExpressJet?)
Issue with this:
- basically group 1 boarding "privileges" not applicable to this traveller as a citizen of this European country (Canadians, US passport holders, a German passport holder seemed to be ok...)
You have a valid complaint that apparently the GA didn't know all the rules. Doesn't seem to go beyond that.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ORD/IND
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Preferred, Hertz PC, Hyatt Discoverist , Marriott Titanium
Posts: 742
I find it interesting you specifically omit the country your passport belongs to.
In regards to your comment about being a 1K on a J ticket, keep in mind anyone booked on an award ticket with a 1K's miles inherits the 1K's status. Thus, the person my not actually be a 1K.
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
On any international itinerary, you should always go to the desk and ask if they require a doc check.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
[QUOTE=........
I do appreciate the gate agents are under a lot of pressure to make sure there are no issues with folks being sent back by Canadian immigration - presumably heavy fines to UA would follow and I guess not an ideal situation for the gate agent either if a passenger is sent back. I can also imagine that being a gate agent at EWR has its own pressures - so being friendly and polite at all times might be asking too much.
On the other hand, surely common sense would say that someone with 1K status, flying on a J ticket, holding a passport of a pretty decent country and on a flight from the US to Canada would not need to be singled out like this?
Hmmmmm, I have also taken the UA EWR-HKG flight twice this year, but my citizenship has not caused any delays there.
Your thoughts?.........[/QUOTE]
-------------------------
How were the gate agents rude or there was any embarrassment ??
They are doing their jobs; Timatic checks, etc., Maybe at check-in something was overlooked that they caught at the gate. It has nothing to do with citizenship or the fact that someone is 1K status or flying on a J ticket. Over-reaction on your part.
I do appreciate the gate agents are under a lot of pressure to make sure there are no issues with folks being sent back by Canadian immigration - presumably heavy fines to UA would follow and I guess not an ideal situation for the gate agent either if a passenger is sent back. I can also imagine that being a gate agent at EWR has its own pressures - so being friendly and polite at all times might be asking too much.
On the other hand, surely common sense would say that someone with 1K status, flying on a J ticket, holding a passport of a pretty decent country and on a flight from the US to Canada would not need to be singled out like this?
Hmmmmm, I have also taken the UA EWR-HKG flight twice this year, but my citizenship has not caused any delays there.
Your thoughts?.........[/QUOTE]
-------------------------
How were the gate agents rude or there was any embarrassment ??
They are doing their jobs; Timatic checks, etc., Maybe at check-in something was overlooked that they caught at the gate. It has nothing to do with citizenship or the fact that someone is 1K status or flying on a J ticket. Over-reaction on your part.
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
That's 100% right by them IMO.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,227
This seems to be at the cross-section of Bad things about the USA and UA. The former tends towards regarding all foreigners as criminals (and the lower down the food chain people are, the more that takes hold) and UA tends towards treating its customers as criminals (and the lower down the food chain the staff are, the more entrenched that position is).
But it's not worth complaining as they'll all rally around the concept of an alien behaving strangely and they don't want another 911. What's the remedy? None if you're not prepared to switch loyalties to an airline with a customer service ethos.
But it's not worth complaining as they'll all rally around the concept of an alien behaving strangely and they don't want another 911. What's the remedy? None if you're not prepared to switch loyalties to an airline with a customer service ethos.
#14
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Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 12,752
If I read the OP correctly, he already complained and got 5K miles. So I'm not sure where he is going with this. Perhaps the tread title should be, "UA listened to my complaint and gave me compensation. Thanks, United!"
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,953
This seems to be at the cross-section of Bad things about the USA and UA. The former tends towards regarding all foreigners as criminals (and the lower down the food chain people are, the more that takes hold) and UA tends towards treating its customers as criminals (and the lower down the food chain the staff are, the more entrenched that position is).