Jan 30, 2024, 12:22 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
DYKWIA stories (Travelling on United Airlines) (Archive)
Apr 5, 2019, 12:46 pm
#2251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
Just revisiting my earlier post to clarify that I didn't intend to put the focus on GS status, although I can see how it could have looked that way (edited earlier title now). Thus far, I have found GS flyers to be actually the more courteous and mindful ones. I was dismayed by that whole episode, and I was only noting the passenger's status as proxy for the likelihood that he knew exactly how he was doing with that swap. Anyway, thanks for the comments, everyone.
May 11, 2019, 10:37 am
#2252
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Escorted Passenger CDG *A F Lounge
DYKWIA seems to be the best place for this question. Recently I was in the CDG *A F Lounge - in fact the only passenger. I vaguely noticed a newcomer enter, but did hear "I'll be back for you" from someone near the entrance door. The newcomer and I chatted for a few minutes and then he went about his business. He did share that he was on the UA CDG-IAD flight. Later, a well dressed person came in and stated, in US English, 'I am here to escort you to the gate, sir'. Any ideas as to what would constitute a need to escort a passenger to a UA flight? I am thinking security-related.
May 11, 2019, 10:50 am
#2253
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
Could have been a diplomatic VIP given that leg. Particularly if he was new to the diplomatic service or the government otherwise wanted to make sure his travel went well. If it had been security related, I would expect the escort to have stayed with him at all times whereas protocol can be forgiven for depositing him at a lounge while they took care of other arrangements.
May 11, 2019, 8:30 pm
#2254
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
DYKWIA seems to be the best place for this question. Recently I was in the CDG *A F Lounge - in fact the only passenger. I vaguely noticed a newcomer enter, but did hear "I'll be back for you" from someone near the entrance door. The newcomer and I chatted for a few minutes and then he went about his business. He did share that he was on the UA CDG-IAD flight. Later, a well dressed person came in and stated, in US English, 'I am here to escort you to the gate, sir'. Any ideas as to what would constitute a need to escort a passenger to a UA flight? I am thinking security-related.
May 11, 2019, 11:06 pm
#2255
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 139
Could also be a celebrity. A friend of mine works in customer service for an airport authority at a mid-tier US airport. For celebrities, they'll provide an escort through security, to a lounge, and then come get them to take them to the gate just before boarding. Not sure what it's like in CDG, obviously.
May 11, 2019, 11:36 pm
#2256
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
DYKWIA seems to be the best place for this question. Recently I was in the CDG *A F Lounge - in fact the only passenger. I vaguely noticed a newcomer enter, but did hear "I'll be back for you" from someone near the entrance door. The newcomer and I chatted for a few minutes and then he went about his business. He did share that he was on the UA CDG-IAD flight. Later, a well dressed person came in and stated, in US English, 'I am here to escort you to the gate, sir'. Any ideas as to what would constitute a need to escort a passenger to a UA flight? I am thinking security-related.
May 12, 2019, 12:35 am
#2257
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
DYKWIA seems to be the best place for this question. Recently I was in the CDG *A F Lounge - in fact the only passenger. I vaguely noticed a newcomer enter, but did hear "I'll be back for you" from someone near the entrance door. The newcomer and I chatted for a few minutes and then he went about his business. He did share that he was on the UA CDG-IAD flight. Later, a well dressed person came in and stated, in US English, 'I am here to escort you to the gate, sir'. Any ideas as to what would constitute a need to escort a passenger to a UA flight? I am thinking security-related.
May 12, 2019, 1:06 am
#2258
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
Lufthansa will at least in some airports come fetch F passengers in the lounge and escort to the plane (no carrying luggage though).
May 12, 2019, 6:34 am
#2259
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cape Cod MA
Programs: GS, 3 MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 752
GS agent carried our luggage
We had a short connection at IAD between the United A gates and D gates. Upon exiting the UA Express flight two GS agents met us, took our luggage, drove us to the D gates and continued to help with our carry on luggage as they escorted us to the United club. I never expected nor have I previously experienced that level of service. And we are not special in any way.
May 12, 2019, 6:44 am
#2260
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,721
At least at LAX, when traveling in F on LX and LH, the escort from check-in to the lounge will be happy to wheel your bags for you. I always decline though.
May 12, 2019, 7:06 am
#2261
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Yes, they do this in LAX for the LAX-FRA A380 flight, where the route to the upper jetbridge is not obvious if you've not done it before.
May 12, 2019, 9:05 am
#2263
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
But did the escort carry the luggage of that passenger? At the ORD Polaris Lounge last month, an ANA employee came to get a passenger, waited five minutes standing there while the passenger was finishing writing an email then insisted that the passenger let him carry his luggage. I surmised that the passenger was flying First Class but maybe he was a celebrity.
May 12, 2019, 9:09 am
#2264
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I think I've gotten it maybe 50% of my LH-group F flights. Got the escort to lounge a few times (NRT, ORD) but also didn't get it from LON, BUD, SFO. Probably they only do it when your first segment is in F, not when you're connecting to F.
May 12, 2019, 10:25 am
#2265
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,552
Had this treatment flying LX first class out of DEL, dropped us at the lounge then came to retrieve us with an escort all the way to our seats on the plane to make sure our carry ons got stored. we were situated, and our order of a beverage was given to the FA.