Boarding Etiquette when arriving late, after your boarding group - opinions wanted
Jan 21, 2020, 11:14 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
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That may be your opinion, but policy is Group 1 cam board anytime...even if it means skipping later group numbers that are boarding.
Jan 21, 2020, 11:15 am
#77
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David
Jan 21, 2020, 11:26 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
Really weird boarding experience this morning at John Wayne Airport (SNA).
Arrived at the gate as they announced the start of Group 2 boarding. When I went to the Group 1 lane it was cordoned off. I went to the front where the gate agent was to see if there was a different area to walk in. The agent said to walk through Group 1. I told her it was cordoned off. She didn’t believe me, so I repeated that it was cordoned off. She finally walked and saw that the belt was indeed up to prevent people from walking through. She let me in, but said I “missed my boarding” and that I should just line up with group 2.
Is this a new norm? I know... I feel entitled as a 1K.
Arrived at the gate as they announced the start of Group 2 boarding. When I went to the Group 1 lane it was cordoned off. I went to the front where the gate agent was to see if there was a different area to walk in. The agent said to walk through Group 1. I told her it was cordoned off. She didn’t believe me, so I repeated that it was cordoned off. She finally walked and saw that the belt was indeed up to prevent people from walking through. She let me in, but said I “missed my boarding” and that I should just line up with group 2.
Is this a new norm? I know... I feel entitled as a 1K.
I wonder if this policy is just for airports with the letters of A N S? 🤔
Jan 22, 2020, 7:11 am
#79
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
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Jan 22, 2020, 7:31 am
#80
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
I guess there won't be any from Talladega or Andahuaylas.
Jan 22, 2020, 7:43 am
#81
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Virtually all airlines have some sort of priority lane, and will accommodate late comers who are qualified to use it.
Jan 22, 2020, 7:43 am
#82
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
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Jan 22, 2020, 10:10 am
#83
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,194
I generally feel that if you're group 1 or 2 but get to the gate after they start, it is fine to get in your appropriate boarding lane and wait to be acknowledged by the GA. It's virtually impossible to get to the gate in time for preboarding when UA gives you a 55 minute connection at IAH or DEN that involves going from the end of one terminal to the end of completely different terminal.
Jan 22, 2020, 10:45 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
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Posts: 3,618
I generally feel that if you're group 1 or 2 but get to the gate after they start, it is fine to get in your appropriate boarding lane and wait to be acknowledged by the GA. It's virtually impossible to get to the gate in time for preboarding when UA gives you a 55 minute connection at IAH or DEN that involves going from the end of one terminal to the end of completely different terminal.
Jan 22, 2020, 12:21 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
I generally feel that if you're group 1 or 2 but get to the gate after they start, it is fine to get in your appropriate boarding lane and wait to be acknowledged by the GA. It's virtually impossible to get to the gate in time for preboarding when UA gives you a 55 minute connection at IAH or DEN that involves going from the end of one terminal to the end of completely different terminal.
Jan 22, 2020, 12:33 pm
#86
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Jan 22, 2020, 12:43 pm
#87
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: SEA/NYC/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 1,921
Really weird boarding experience this morning at John Wayne Airport (SNA).
Arrived at the gate as they announced the start of Group 2 boarding. When I went to the Group 1 lane it was cordoned off. I went to the front where the gate agent was to see if there was a different area to walk in. The agent said to walk through Group 1. I told her it was cordoned off. She didn’t believe me, so I repeated that it was cordoned off. She finally walked and saw that the belt was indeed up to prevent people from walking through. She let me in, but said I “missed my boarding” and that I should just line up with group 2.
Is this a new norm? I know... I feel entitled as a 1K.
Arrived at the gate as they announced the start of Group 2 boarding. When I went to the Group 1 lane it was cordoned off. I went to the front where the gate agent was to see if there was a different area to walk in. The agent said to walk through Group 1. I told her it was cordoned off. She didn’t believe me, so I repeated that it was cordoned off. She finally walked and saw that the belt was indeed up to prevent people from walking through. She let me in, but said I “missed my boarding” and that I should just line up with group 2.
Is this a new norm? I know... I feel entitled as a 1K.
I'm surprised you didn't just try to board outside of a lane as a 1K though? i.e. whatever the equivalent of "preboarding" is after boarding has commenced.