SFO New GS & Premier Check-in Lobby (opened Oct 2014); non-GS elite C/I moved back.
Oct 21, 2014, 2:03 pm
#91
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There have been some comments upthread that the relocation of the Premier area is a major inconvenience for status passengers arriving on BART or parking at Garage G, as they now must traverse almost the entire length of T3 landside, fighting crowds along the way and perhaps carrying baggage, to reach the new location for checkin for those with status. I did an interesting experiment this morning on my SFO departure. Although I am 1K, 2MM, always pre-check, and CLEAR, I decided to do an inverse-DYKWIA and am amazed how well it worked. Parked in Garage G, walked through int’l to start of the new (non-status) T3 check in area. This was a weekday morning at 0730 and the airport was definitely busy. I had baggage to check. Arriving at the new general checkin (first UA checkin one now encounters from the BART/Garage G), I noticed that although the area was crowded with Kettles (OMG, don’t touch me!), there were a half-dozen vacant Chickens. We know, the Chickens scare Kettles. I walked right up to one, generated a bag tag, and the contract worker took it instantly. And yes, they have Priority luggage tags even at the non-status area. Walked about 10 steps to CLEAR (yes, there’s a CLEAR entrance in the “new” general area). I’m the only one there, cleared in seconds, and was walked to the TSA pre-check ID checker. Took me immediately despite long line. Walked to pre-check belt, only one there (time now about 0732 on a weekday!) and through in seconds. Total time from entering UA non-status lobby to emerging airside at Gate 73, including bag check, on a weekday at rush hour, perhaps 2 minutes, perhaps a bit less.
Of course I might have been lucky, and of course YMMV, and of course, pre-check lane hours seem to be unpredictable. However, this is an intriguing counterpoint to the drama of “now I have to walk a mile to the new Premier area if I’m arriving on BART.” The thing about Kettles is that they often don’t use Chickens, seldom have CLEAR, and are at least supposed to get pre-check less often than status flyers. Yet the new general area accommodates all those perks, and, they’re a lot less crowded than those same perks in a status area. Consider mingling with the Kettles if you are arriving from BART or Garage G!
Of course I might have been lucky, and of course YMMV, and of course, pre-check lane hours seem to be unpredictable. However, this is an intriguing counterpoint to the drama of “now I have to walk a mile to the new Premier area if I’m arriving on BART.” The thing about Kettles is that they often don’t use Chickens, seldom have CLEAR, and are at least supposed to get pre-check less often than status flyers. Yet the new general area accommodates all those perks, and, they’re a lot less crowded than those same perks in a status area. Consider mingling with the Kettles if you are arriving from BART or Garage G!
Oct 21, 2014, 2:41 pm
#92
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I walked right up to one, generated a bag tag, and the contract worker took it instantly. And yes, they have Priority luggage tags even at the non-status area. Walked about 10 steps to CLEAR (yes, there’s a CLEAR entrance in the “new” general area). I’m the only one there, cleared in seconds, and was walked to the TSA pre-check ID checker. Took me immediately despite long line. Walked to pre-check belt, only one there (time now about 0732 on a weekday!) and through in seconds. Total time from entering UA non-status lobby to emerging airside at Gate 73, including bag check, on a weekday at rush hour, perhaps 2 minutes, perhaps a bit less.
We know, the Chickens scare Kettles.
Oct 21, 2014, 10:14 pm
#93
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I always park on either the top or bottom deck of the domestic garage and walk across the bridge or through the tunnel, and I wind up not far from the new Premier check-in (actually closer than the old Premier area).
Greg
Oct 21, 2014, 11:04 pm
#94
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The airside thing might be a mixed blessing depending on the terminal you're in...is it possible to get from the international terminal (A gates) to the Centurion lounge without having to go through security again?
Oct 21, 2014, 11:06 pm
#95
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Greg
Oct 21, 2014, 11:08 pm
#96
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Oct 21, 2014, 11:09 pm
#97
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I park long term, the shuttle bus drops you off in front of door 10 (same for Lot D).
So, Sunday evening I walked from door 10 all the way back to door 2 (I did survive), to find precheck open (at 9:55 PM). Longish premier security line, just me in precheck and through in 30 seconds.
Then, to find my flight had been switched to a 772 (3 class). Although 1st on the list, since I had SDC'd to this flight late, I had not received the CPU ahead of time.
The words we all love to hear, 'would you like to move up to a seat in business class?'. Slept for 95% of the flight in the lie flat with a nice pillow and blanket, which made my Monday far better than it would have been otherwise.
Well, considering a majority (how large a majority, I won't guess) of elite / high status / presumably higher net worth fliers are coming through T3, it only makes sense for AMEX to build their lounge here.
Also tweaks their non-partners UA and chase - an extra bonus for AMEX.
I am sure alot of research went in to where they should put this lounge, and I am certain there are sound financial reasons they selected this location.
So, Sunday evening I walked from door 10 all the way back to door 2 (I did survive), to find precheck open (at 9:55 PM). Longish premier security line, just me in precheck and through in 30 seconds.
Then, to find my flight had been switched to a 772 (3 class). Although 1st on the list, since I had SDC'd to this flight late, I had not received the CPU ahead of time.
The words we all love to hear, 'would you like to move up to a seat in business class?'. Slept for 95% of the flight in the lie flat with a nice pillow and blanket, which made my Monday far better than it would have been otherwise.
Also tweaks their non-partners UA and chase - an extra bonus for AMEX.
I am sure alot of research went in to where they should put this lounge, and I am certain there are sound financial reasons they selected this location.
Oct 22, 2014, 1:02 am
#98
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While I agree that T3 is likely the best place for the AMEX lounge, I don't think it's a safe assumption that a majority of high net worth flyers come through T3.
Recall that UA has less than 50% market share at SFO. That, and UA's ops are split among both T3 and Int'l G, with Int'l biased toward some of the higher net worth flying.
A plurality, maybe, but not a majority.
Oct 22, 2014, 1:30 am
#100
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Oct 22, 2014, 5:16 am
#101
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Yes, the extra $8 / day adds up if you're there for awhile. Also, usually quite easy to find space there.
Oct 22, 2014, 9:03 am
#102
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If I'm on a longer personal trip, I've learned that the extra $8 per day is outweighed by the pain from the a$& chewing I get from my wife for either (a) having to schlep with the kids and bags all the way to G, or (b) having to stand with the kids and the bags in arrivals while I go to G and bring the car back.
The cost/pain crossover point is about 8 days or so, and typically if we're gone that long, we're flying international anyway.
It used to be really easy to get space on the upper deck of domestic, but I've been having to walk farther in recent months.
Greg
Oct 25, 2014, 12:11 am
#103
Join Date: Sep 2010
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While I agree that T3 is likely the best place for the AMEX lounge, I don't think it's a safe assumption that a majority of high net worth flyers come through T3.
Recall that UA has less than 50% market share at SFO. That, and UA's ops are split among both T3 and Int'l G, with Int'l biased toward some of the higher net worth flying.
A plurality, maybe, but not a majority.
Recall that UA has less than 50% market share at SFO. That, and UA's ops are split among both T3 and Int'l G, with Int'l biased toward some of the higher net worth flying.
A plurality, maybe, but not a majority.
All of T3, plus all the *A who have easy airside access from international?
UA's 46%(?), plus another 10%(?) from Int'l G.
Plus, with the other options isolated (T1, or T2, or Int'l A only)...
I hope it works out.
Not much of a lounge guy, but kept my Plat card (for this among other reasons) and am looking forward to checking it out.
Nov 2, 2014, 8:57 am
#105
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Just wanted to followup on this, I've been coming from BART for my past couple trips and have still just used PreCheck at the intl/domestic walkway security checkpoint instead of walking over to the premier access one, and it's been fine at the times I've gone through (possibly better than the premier access precheck lane, judging by the lines there as I've walked past towards my gates). So IMO, current checkin areas are still ideal for those coming from BART.
to the moving of Premier check-in. The current checkin and security areas were ideal for those coming from BART.