I care. I also often travel with a toddler. Guess what - every minute longer on the plane is another minute she’s got to be in a constrained space. If we can be there 5 minutes less, it can often mean a big difference. I think Fellow pax would also appreciate it if there is one less opportunity for a tantrum (to be fair, daughter is a pretty good traveler most of the time, but she has her flights).

I’ve had a plane held for me before...yes, on UA. I’ve had other times where the dooor closes and flight goes on time, without me. Guess what, in my 20+ years of being an FF, the only carrier that has attempted to deny me boarding with a valid BP in hand at the gate is DL. All airlines are going to judge the factors differently, but sorry, to say UA is doesn’t hold flights sometimes is just not true L they certainly do. Your personal experience is not necessarily representative of everyone’s.

Correct.

and t doesn’t necessarily turn into T+5. As mentioned, can be worse...you can lose a slot, weight and balance has to be re-run, etc. not to mention the flight inbound to the gate now has to wait, with 100 other pax potentially having connections, and some of them likely to start a thread about why they have to wait for a gate.

yikes. Would think for 50 folks they would have some consideration, depending on how close it was. But yes, AA apparently makes its calculations, too.

I understand your point. It would be a good one if it was relying on the CoC. However, UA now clearly marks the boarding ends time on BPs. IMost people should be able to read big printed info on BPs, especially 1Ks. Airlines having delayed inbounds aside for the moment, if there are 1Ks who can’t understand the big ‘boarding ends’ time on a BP and they are late, then honestly, I kind of don’t feel bad for them, especially since there are many on here who admit to staying in the lounge until the last possible moment.

of course, this is a bit OT for the ‘should UA hold flights past this time for late inbounds.

only the people in airline ops can really answer this. We can guess at many of the factors. How much each factor impacts this is going to vary based on specific circumstances - likely things like how many pax, what are alternatives, is there a plane load of pax waiting for this gate. Who are going to be affected, etc.

As much consideration as they can offer is subjective. How much consideration should be given to an single late passenger, for example, compared to the 20, 30 or 40 pax who have connections on the other end that could be at risk.l (or those on the other aircraft waiting to deplane at the gate srtill being occupied by the one being held).

I make sure to have at least an hour, 2 for EWR. Everyone else can make their own judgements on what is appropriate. Let’s not forget, MCT is what the airline is willing to book you on and take responsibility for, not what would be sensible for all pax.

Is this true? I’ve known UA to move bags pretty quickly..I’ve been on late inbounds where I’ve had to run, and it leaves on time and my bags have made it. Are we sure they are holding for ‘late cargo’ or just waiting until too late to load cargo/bags already there. I’ve definitley seen that happen before.

Again, you’re oblivious to anything else that is going on. What if you were on a plane that was late and have a (now) tight connection. Your plane is waiting on a gate. You and 10 other passengers might miss your connections because the plane occupying the gate is waiting for one connecting passenger. Is everything supposed to shut down for one passenger? Or do you try not to cascade a whole series of delays and missed connections? I’m glad qualified people are trying to make decisions that keep the bulk of the flights and connecting passengers in sync.

It's not rude, it's enforcement of the rules. It's something that passengers have long needed. It's a shame other carriers aren't as dogmatic about adhering to the CoC.