Is it rude to use premier benefits?
Aug 28, 2018, 5:06 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Maybe these days they would talk to that passenger to ensure he calms down. But, when it happened times were different. To date it: at that time USAirways had a First Class section from ITH to PIT.
Aug 28, 2018, 8:54 am
#32
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The shouting happened at ITH? That's such a small community that odds would be good that the shouter knew someone on the flight who would have witnessed this disgraceful behavior. Plus, IME ITH doesn't get such bad lines and they seem to realize that everyone needs to be processed for departure.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:22 am
#33
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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Yeah, I've flown through ITH a few times and never had to wait for anything, with or without status. Pretty chill airport as airports go...
Aug 28, 2018, 9:55 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
If they don't like it, they can become Premier members themselves. It's not your fault they are inferior travelers.
Aug 28, 2018, 10:27 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
This happens to me on occasion at my home airport in PDX. You go through the express TSA lane and it sometimes feeds to the front of the regular TSA lane. I usually let the next person go and then step up behind them but there's been more than once where people have made comments. Just have to be an adult and ignore it.
Aug 28, 2018, 10:31 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
At my favorite airport, MFR, yesterday, there maybe 15 people in the regular line and 2 in the Premier. Two women in the regular line got absolutely worked that they were getting bypassed for the Premier customers. Huffing and puffing and stomping. When I have the time, I go in the regular line, just because I get tired of the angry glares. Though I do wonder if these aren't the same people who were driving the speed limit -5 mph in the left lane on the way to the airport......
Aug 28, 2018, 10:44 am
#37
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
This happens to me on occasion at my home airport in PDX. You go through the express TSA lane and it sometimes feeds to the front of the regular TSA lane. I usually let the next person go and then step up behind them but there's been more than once where people have made comments. Just have to be an adult and ignore it.
Aug 28, 2018, 11:04 am
#38
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Allegiant flies into MFR. If they really want a "nobody's better than anyone else" experience, they're welcome to fly them.
Aug 28, 2018, 11:18 am
#39
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 177
This brings back the memory of me once at EWR trying to get SDC at the customer service with an empty premier line but 20 people long regular line. There was only one agent behind the desk who yelled at me "I don't service Premier member"...... Fortunately, another agent returned from lunch break in 5 min and helped me right away.
Personally, I have not problem getting in the Premier line at check in desk or customer service. I normally don't try to cut the line for boarding.
Personally, I have not problem getting in the Premier line at check in desk or customer service. I normally don't try to cut the line for boarding.
Aug 28, 2018, 12:38 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SAN
Programs: UA-1K, AA-Gold, HH-Gold, MR - Gold, HY-Explorist
Posts: 222
Be curious as to people's thoughts on the opposite problem. I have had a few instances where I had to go to customer service behind security (usually ORD), where there is a line for Premier and a regular line. I'll be the only one on the Premier line and then ignored/not seen for what feels like a long time (>5-10 customers taken from the regular line, or >20 minutes). At what point is it appropriate to just walk up the the next available agent or try to wave at the agents so I can be sure they saw me?
Aug 28, 2018, 12:46 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HND, NRT
Programs: UA Gold (1K 2016–2023 by miracle extensions; RIP 1K status), 1MM
Posts: 220
I've had that happen at DAY.
PAX: "Hey, why does he get called ahead of us. We've been waiting."
GA: "He's Premier."
I did give the PAX an apologetic look. It was a long line that hadn't been moving very quickly. But I have a right to use the Premier line, so I do.
PAX: "Hey, why does he get called ahead of us. We've been waiting."
GA: "He's Premier."
I did give the PAX an apologetic look. It was a long line that hadn't been moving very quickly. But I have a right to use the Premier line, so I do.
Aug 28, 2018, 12:52 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
Yeah, in PDX usually there's three lanes. Regular TSA security, a TSA security line for elites and United Express between PDX-SEA, and then the TSA Pre-check line, and of course a line for crew. I've seen that elite line in a lot of airports, even outside the US.
Aug 28, 2018, 1:39 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 696
I have never experienced that number (5+) taken in front of me. It has usually been just 1 after they finished with the customer at the desk after I arrived. I do not think that unreasonable as it usually gives the other line some sense of progress.
I have had issues with BG2 when arriving late into BG1 as they won't let me in without my insisting, politely, on going through.
I have had issues with BG2 when arriving late into BG1 as they won't let me in without my insisting, politely, on going through.
Aug 28, 2018, 2:03 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
At IAD, the regular check in lanes are at the front, while Premier/1K is around behind them. I'm pretty appreciative of that perk, by the way, when I see hundreds of people in the regular lanes, knowing I just save a half an hour or so. But in every airport, if there is a premier UA lane, I take it for the speedy service. And then I use TSA Precheck to make security faster as well. And yes, if I stroll up late to the gate (which is rare - I like to board early), I will usually get in the group 1 lane, and wait till they waive me over. It's about saving time and having less stress. It is too bad flying is so complicated and stressful, but it is possible to learn how to make it easier. Nothing to apologize for in that.
Aug 28, 2018, 3:39 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA Premier 1K
Posts: 182
You did the right thing. Benefits are there for a reason.
i completely agree with you. SAN is always a hit or miss. I always find that the premier desks are understaffed. The agents working the regular check in desks should call over premier passengers when able, but they usually ignore everyone waiting in that area.
i think that I know which agent you are talking about...
In contrast there are times when I am giving "the look" to the non-Premier lines.
The issue at SAN (when Dan is not working) is that it is often quicker to use the non-Premier line. A couple of times I have missed the check-in luggage time even though I have been there 15 minutes before the deadline and been told I should know better than to arrive "only 60 minutes" before the flight "since I travel so often". I try and avoid that particular agent now as she obviously has an issue with passangers with status. I am not the only one who got a telling off (the guy in front of me also got told off for just missing the deadline and argued his point that he had been waiting in line for 20 minutes before the cut-off - bizarrely she was helping someone on a Basic Economy ticket who had luggage and was arguing about the luggage fees.
So use the Premier line all you want if you are entitled to use it, and ignore the looks of the others.
The issue at SAN (when Dan is not working) is that it is often quicker to use the non-Premier line. A couple of times I have missed the check-in luggage time even though I have been there 15 minutes before the deadline and been told I should know better than to arrive "only 60 minutes" before the flight "since I travel so often". I try and avoid that particular agent now as she obviously has an issue with passangers with status. I am not the only one who got a telling off (the guy in front of me also got told off for just missing the deadline and argued his point that he had been waiting in line for 20 minutes before the cut-off - bizarrely she was helping someone on a Basic Economy ticket who had luggage and was arguing about the luggage fees.
So use the Premier line all you want if you are entitled to use it, and ignore the looks of the others.
i think that I know which agent you are talking about...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 28, 2018 at 5:45 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member