UA's Boarding Process with WILMA now - Inconsistent process / PreBoarding issues
Apr 8, 2024, 1:40 pm
#541
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,193
I find more often that people who aren't paying attention ask if Group 1 can board when the 1K pre-boards have been announced.
Apr 8, 2024, 1:47 pm
#542
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA
Posts: 101
Apr 8, 2024, 4:17 pm
#544
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,496
Yesterday I was connecting ORD, and was at a gate where you can literally sit within inches watching people board, so I did that. I never board early despite able to; usually compete with others to see who can board last.
Anyway, when 1K was called, several people (assume 1K) on the BG1 line pushed others aside on the same BG1 line. Likely these people don't know you can stand on the side with all of the other preboarders, despite your BP says BG1. Anyway, that along with people unable to follow instructions made the boarding pass chaotic and long, as usual.
Watching people with a smile while they are frustrated standing on line after long delays is priceless
Sometimes I would be eating while they wait on line, that usually get some reaction or a line from the waiting crowd.
Anyway, when 1K was called, several people (assume 1K) on the BG1 line pushed others aside on the same BG1 line. Likely these people don't know you can stand on the side with all of the other preboarders, despite your BP says BG1. Anyway, that along with people unable to follow instructions made the boarding pass chaotic and long, as usual.
Watching people with a smile while they are frustrated standing on line after long delays is priceless
Sometimes I would be eating while they wait on line, that usually get some reaction or a line from the waiting crowd.
Apr 9, 2024, 10:12 am
#545
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,681
Ooops, Im not supposed to disclose the existence of the Universe Services tier program. As you might imagine, its a step above Global.
Apr 9, 2024, 10:15 am
#546
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,681
Yesterday I was connecting ORD, and was at a gate where you can literally sit within inches watching people board, so I did that. I never board early despite able to; usually compete with others to see who can board last.
Anyway, when 1K was called, several people (assume 1K) on the BG1 line pushed others aside on the same BG1 line. Likely these people don't know you can stand on the side with all of the other preboarders, despite your BP says BG1. Anyway, that along with people unable to follow instructions made the boarding pass chaotic and long, as usual.
Watching people with a smile while they are frustrated standing on line after long delays is priceless Sometimes I would be eating while they wait on line, that usually get some reaction or a line from the waiting crowd.
Anyway, when 1K was called, several people (assume 1K) on the BG1 line pushed others aside on the same BG1 line. Likely these people don't know you can stand on the side with all of the other preboarders, despite your BP says BG1. Anyway, that along with people unable to follow instructions made the boarding pass chaotic and long, as usual.
Watching people with a smile while they are frustrated standing on line after long delays is priceless
Sometimes I would be eating while they wait on line, that usually get some reaction or a line from the waiting crowd.
Apr 9, 2024, 12:42 pm
#547
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Rochester, NY USA
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Platinum
Posts: 1,424
I'm not accusing you, but in response to the half joking post of renting a medical boot, it is so often difficult to tell who has a "real" disability vs those with a fake one.
I have a somewhat rare muscle disease ( about 50,000 cases in the US, not per year, but total). At a glance, I look like a normal 76 year old man, but I can't lift and put a small carryon in the luggage bin; my wife has become the heavy lifter in our family. I would be holding up the boarding if I didn't pre-board.
I don't need a wheelchair unless it is a large airport like LHR or FRA, or ORD depending what terminal I came in on and then which one I'm going to.
I know that I look like someone trying to scam their way onto the plane early, but without talking to my neurologist, you would never know. As a backup solution, I now usually fly Polaris or First on domestic flights.
I have a somewhat rare muscle disease ( about 50,000 cases in the US, not per year, but total). At a glance, I look like a normal 76 year old man, but I can't lift and put a small carryon in the luggage bin; my wife has become the heavy lifter in our family. I would be holding up the boarding if I didn't pre-board.
I don't need a wheelchair unless it is a large airport like LHR or FRA, or ORD depending what terminal I came in on and then which one I'm going to.
I know that I look like someone trying to scam their way onto the plane early, but without talking to my neurologist, you would never know. As a backup solution, I now usually fly Polaris or First on domestic flights.
Apr 9, 2024, 1:39 pm
#548
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,799
I'm not accusing you, but in response to the half joking post of renting a medical boot, it is so often difficult to tell who has a "real" disability vs those with a fake one.
I have a somewhat rare muscle disease ( about 50,000 cases in the US, not per year, but total). At a glance, I look like a normal 76 year old man, but I can't lift and put a small carryon in the luggage bin; my wife has become the heavy lifter in our family. I would be holding up the boarding if I didn't pre-board.
I don't need a wheelchair unless it is a large airport like LHR or FRA, or ORD depending what terminal I came in on and then which one I'm going to.
I know that I look like someone trying to scam their way onto the plane early, but without talking to my neurologist, you would never know. As a backup solution, I now usually fly Polaris or First on domestic flights.
I have a somewhat rare muscle disease ( about 50,000 cases in the US, not per year, but total). At a glance, I look like a normal 76 year old man, but I can't lift and put a small carryon in the luggage bin; my wife has become the heavy lifter in our family. I would be holding up the boarding if I didn't pre-board.
I don't need a wheelchair unless it is a large airport like LHR or FRA, or ORD depending what terminal I came in on and then which one I'm going to.
I know that I look like someone trying to scam their way onto the plane early, but without talking to my neurologist, you would never know. As a backup solution, I now usually fly Polaris or First on domestic flights.
Apr 9, 2024, 4:15 pm
#549
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,551
I like how Southwest handles preboards -- pre-boarders get a different boarding pass, and folks that need extra time can also get a different boarding pass. That means they've spoken with an airline rep so likely reduces the people taking advantage. (I think they may also allow those without a special boarding pass to go after group A? Not sure.)
Apr 9, 2024, 4:33 pm
#550
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
yeah, I guess I can construct the logic for it but even if they want to let 1K/GS board before F, they've really got to thin out group 1. Flying paid biz from south america my wife ended up pulled aside at the gate for SSSS and I boarded the end of group one waiting for her. Between the size of group 1 and the gate agent starting group 2 through a second lane before group 1 was cleared through, I think I had to be in the second half of pax to board.
Apr 9, 2024, 6:25 pm
#551
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
I like how Southwest handles preboards -- pre-boarders get a different boarding pass, and folks that need extra time can also get a different boarding pass. That means they've spoken with an airline rep so likely reduces the people taking advantage. (I think they may also allow those without a special boarding pass to go after group A? Not sure.)
It's simple and painless.
Apr 9, 2024, 8:49 pm
#553
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,551
Looks like Delta is changing a bit but still looks more clear
https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-boarding-process/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-boarding-process/
Apr 9, 2024, 10:23 pm
#554
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 1,153
Looks like Delta is changing a bit but still looks more clear
https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-boarding-process/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/delta-boarding-process/
2019 change
Apr 10, 2024, 4:48 am
#555
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,681
Delta digital boarding passes, which most customers use now vs the paper boarding passes, have a huge color bar so it's clear to the customer, and the agent, if they have priority or not. Either they have it, or they don't. No color bar, then back to sit down you go until your group is called. Arriving late, with the color bar? Take a leisurely stroll up the Sky Priority line and cut ahead of everyone else.
It's simple and painless.
It's simple and painless.