SFOFastAir

Changes to Check-in areas and security check points in T3 will be implemented beginning on Wed. Oct 15th.



Positions 1 -24 Group Check In, Ticketing and Bag Drop (old Primer check-in area)
Positions 25 - 50 General check-in
Mod-4 New Premier and Corporate Check with self bag tag kiosk (between Term 3-E exit)



F1 (new check point between escalators and Mod-4) Global Services, Premier Customers with PreCheck line
F2 remains general boarding and family lane check point
F3 (current Premier) Security Check will become the general boarding and group check point with PreCheck line



F1 Hours 04:00 - 00:00 4 lanes TSA PreCkeck - Yes (new Global and Premier checkpoint)
F2 Hours 04:00 - 17:30 4 lanes TSA PreCkeck - ??? (current general and family checkpoint)
F3 Hours 04:00 - 00:30 4 lanes TSA PreCkeck - Yes (old Premier checkpoint)

Kacee

While I suppose we should withhold final judgment until it's all in place, I don't like the sound of this at all (and wonder what the heck UA is thinking?).

They are putting Premier and GS at the very far end of the terminal from BART, the G garage, and International arrivals. This means we will have to cross the entire length of the terminal to reach Premier check-in, security, and/or the self bag-drop. This is at least a 1/4 mile longer walk than the current set-up and a huge hassle when the terminal is crowded due to too many people in a too small space.

stevneil

I frequently use the Intl (G concourse) security checkpoint. It's very convenient when arriving on Bart, parking in the G garage, and even if you arrive by parking shuttle. They always have a premium line, and precheck is open during certain hours - last I heard until 2.

Starman

While I see what you're saying, you could call the glass half full by noting that if you arrive by car on the upper departure level, the Premier/GS will now be the first thing you encounter rather than the last, thereby avoiding inching your way down the curb, avoiding pedestrians, etc.

Of course, the problem there is that inexperienced customers who have no idea what "Premier" means will see that curb first, stop, unload, go to the curbside check, etc., and the skycaps are not going to send them away.

As far as the length of the walk, if you're coming from BART or Garage G, you're going to walk the exact same distance to the gate or UC in the end (unless you're luck enough to have gates 72-75); it's just now you're walking a bit more of it landside than airside.

goalie

Looks like I get to try this on Saturday, Oct, 18th but humor the old bald guy.....

Is the pre-check checkpoint now to the right of the central elevators & stairway (as you face them) or is it down towards T3-E?

WineCountryUA

ditto if you arrive via the parking shuttles.

Presently arriving by parking shuttle, you had to walk back toward the international term and backtrack airside -- especially to the new E gates. In fact it was just about the same to enter the International Terminal, go to the premier security, ....

So for the off airport parking FF crowd, this new area is a big plus.

The new PreCheck is immediately adjacent to the new GS Lobby -- to the far right of the central elevators & stairway as you enter the terminal from the street

goalie

Thanks partner ^ and looks like I'll be using the smoking area closer to T3-E so for all of those who knew where to find me at the far end of T3-F, as they say, I ain't gonna be there no more

Kacee

There's a huge difference between making this walk airside and threading your way through the departures lobby with luggage. I had to do this last month at 7:30 a.m. (long story) and it was a huge hassle. It will be all the worse when you add in all the non-premiers who unload in front of the premier check-in and all the premiers trying to make it in from BART, etc.

Yes, but only if you're carrying on. You can't drop bags for a domestic flight at international check-in.

WineCountryUA

Yeap -- those arriving by BART have had it good while those arriving by auto / parking shuttles / hotel shuttles have had it bad. Now it is switched. Depends on which group you are in -- it is neither good nor bad universally.

Baze

Just to be clear, I am flying out tomorrow morning. Tomorrow it will be the same place it has been and this new doesn't go into effect until Wednesday? Right? Tomorrow is same check in area for Premiers, same checkpoint and international end and Clear is still right there? And all this moves on Wednesday?

Starman

I agree this could be a major issue. UA has never been strong with airport signage, and never seems to understand that the vast majority of its customers have no idea what the term "Premier" means, and don't care. Unless they put up huge, multiple curbside signs at the new Premier curbside that say "General United checkin, 100 yards ahead" the curbside skycaps and the Premier counters themselves are going to be flooded with GMs.

Kacee

And it doesn't matter what you tell cab drivers, they almost always drop you at the first available slot. Which will now be right in front of premier check-in.

It will be interesting to see how UA controls access to the premier area, particularly since they are apparently going to the self-serve tagging kiosk approach that they implemented at BOS. Again, should reserve final judgment until we see how it works, but I smell a CF coming.

gaobest

Kacee, when is your next flight out of sfo? Mine is late November and I'm curious to see what happens these next 4 weeks. I assume yours is oct 17! I agree that this change will be complex for the reasons everyone stated, esp with curbside checkin.

emcampbe

Flying out of SFO tonight and looks like I'm scheduled out of concourse E.

Is there a security checkpoint by that area now with precheck? Or is it best to use the one I'm used to using (premier checkpoint- near the international terminal)) for tonight?

Looks like I'll get to try the new setup next month.

swixo

Think how cool it would have been between T3 and G.

You could use the GS lobby for either Int'l or Domestic and close proximity to
either parking entrance.

The place it seems to be is at least closer to the new domestic gates.

s