Why is UA checked bag claim so slow? (EWR,ORD, SFO, IAH, ...) [Consolidated]
Jan 2, 2016, 3:48 pm
#61
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,126
IAD had been horrid until 2nd half of 2015 for me, when the wait has been 25 min or less consistently for me. Now, I will have jinxed myself for Monday night no doubt...
Jan 2, 2016, 4:07 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LIM
Programs: United Premier 1K, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, AmEx Plat
Posts: 559
When I landed on IAH (int'l), my bag came out literally just as I stepped to the side of the belt, after I cleared customs. No other bags on sight, and I had ran to customs, being one of the first aliens to clear.
However, clearing customs took around 45-1h.
However, clearing customs took around 45-1h.
Jan 2, 2016, 4:13 pm
#63
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 100
Pretty sure Airserv isn't doing anything "below the wing" for UA at ORD -- they do cabin appearance/cleaning and IIRC drive the C-to-E shuttle (they may also tag bags at the ticket counters, but I haven't been landside at ORD in quite a while) but AFAIK all of the loading/unloading/etc. are UA employees.
Jan 2, 2016, 4:14 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Holiday baggage loads tend to be heavy, and staffing is lighter with both scheduled and unscheduled absences. This leads to longer delivery times, most of the time. Delivery time was > 30 minutes @ YVR on Dec. 31 and Priority tags came out last.
Jan 2, 2016, 8:12 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
I rarely check bags but today at Newark Terminal C arrived 30 minutes early from London with 4 checked bags (1 oversize) and I was back in my apartment in Manhattan 1 hour after touch down. So I guess the bags took 20 minutes or so. Pretty impressed. Usually I find Terminal B to be worse especially for oversized items...
Jan 2, 2016, 11:21 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: IAH & PHL
Programs: United Premier Silver
Posts: 326
I've found IAH to be relatively quick on the occasions I check bags (week or longer trips). This morning we landed a couple minutes before 8am from PHL and I was able to breeze down to baggage claim and the luggage was on its way up within minutes. I was out the door and on the bus by 815am!
PHL is the worst. I love my city but I hate that airport. Every time I check there we wait. 45 minutes was how long it took a couple days before Christmas. We gave the carousel a Bronx cheer when it buzzed and started spitting bags out.
PHL is the worst. I love my city but I hate that airport. Every time I check there we wait. 45 minutes was how long it took a couple days before Christmas. We gave the carousel a Bronx cheer when it buzzed and started spitting bags out.
Jan 3, 2016, 5:44 am
#69
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,568
IME, at IAD bags are delivered faster to the international arrivals side than to domestic side. On my last three international arrivals, the bags were either on the carousel after I departed GE or shortly thereafter.
On the domestic side, 20-30 minutes is the usual wait.
On the domestic side, 20-30 minutes is the usual wait.
Jan 3, 2016, 8:52 am
#70
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,528
IME, at IAD bags are delivered faster to the international arrivals side than to domestic side. On my last three international arrivals, the bags were either on the carousel after I departed GE or shortly thereafter.
On the domestic side, 20-30 minutes is the usual wait.
On the domestic side, 20-30 minutes is the usual wait.
Jan 5, 2016, 8:22 pm
#71
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
Jan 5, 2016, 8:46 pm
#72
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the above experience at HKG: My bag was already on the belt by the time I got there, and I also have e-Channel, so no wait at Immigration. I did have to take a bus from a remote terminal, but my bags also had to go across the airfield to get to the belt. I almost didn't see how it was possible that they came out that quickly.
Jan 5, 2016, 10:03 pm
#73
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 337
Had my worst experience ever at SFO on Dec 29th. Half of carousel 1 (domestic) was roped off so only one half of it was accessible. Passengers from three different flights, including a full 777, had to squeeze themselves in to tiny area. Hundreds of bags were already lined up off to the side and along the carousel which made the place even more crowded.
Jan 6, 2016, 4:31 am
#75
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,528