UA's Boarding Process with WILMA now - Inconsistent process / PreBoarding issues
#106
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,773
Which US airports have these 1K ropes/line? I don't recall ever noticing one - I suppose that is part of OP's issue and if people knew where the ropes/lines were it would make things more orderly?
#107
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: EWR/SNA/SUN
Programs: United 1K; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 499
UA just needs to get over calling what is really "group 2" group 1. Or create a third lane of preboarders. If they're going to have a 1K preboarding group, then give it a separate line, whether as "group 1" or something else.
In my experience, the other preboarders rarely create a line problem - there aren't too many GSes, military, and disabled are usually up front anyway along with children under 2. It's really the number of 1Ks that create a possible problem, especially at hubs but not only (because at non-hubs often the waiting area is smaller).
In my experience, the other preboarders rarely create a line problem - there aren't too many GSes, military, and disabled are usually up front anyway along with children under 2. It's really the number of 1Ks that create a possible problem, especially at hubs but not only (because at non-hubs often the waiting area is smaller).
Replace "group 1" with 1k, so 1K and Group 1 line up together. Then 2 and 3, and so on.
I'm a reformed delta flier, but I believe this is how they used to do it w/ Sky.
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
This is partly due to EWR setup. The monetization airport revenue has made this kind of boarding a regular occurrence at EWR.
UA has the WORST overall boarding process. Poor GA communication, DYKWIA pax, people using pre boarding when they are not supposed to (and GA not enforcing).
I usually board last, partly to watch the fun of the dumpster fire that is of UA.
UA has the WORST overall boarding process. Poor GA communication, DYKWIA pax, people using pre boarding when they are not supposed to (and GA not enforcing).
I usually board last, partly to watch the fun of the dumpster fire that is of UA.
#109
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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I also board last, unless I have a carry-on on an E75 or an Airbus, in which case I pre-board (and am very thankful for pre-boarding).
You mean eliminate 1K pre-boarding? That's one of the few perks left. Premiers already board with Group 1.
And really not necessary. Even at SFO, there may only be 4 or 5 1K on a narrowbody. The only place that separate line for 1K works is somewhere like NRT, where all the flights are widebodies and the percentage of 1K is much higher than virtually any domestic flight.
And really not necessary. Even at SFO, there may only be 4 or 5 1K on a narrowbody. The only place that separate line for 1K works is somewhere like NRT, where all the flights are widebodies and the percentage of 1K is much higher than virtually any domestic flight.
#110
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,202
Gate agents are also confused. Had SFO-MUC flight. One gate agent told anyone who asked 1K would board on right side. At boarding announcement was on left side. Therefore everyone merging from both and yes- I did cut in too.
#111
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Trenton NJ
Programs: UA Gold MM, Honors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz President’s Circle
Posts: 3,668
This is partly due to EWR setup. The monetization airport revenue has made this kind of boarding a regular occurrence at EWR.
UA has the WORST overall boarding process. Poor GA communication, DYKWIA pax, people using pre boarding when they are not supposed to (and GA not enforcing).
I usually board last, partly to watch the fun of the dumpster fire that is of UA.
UA has the WORST overall boarding process. Poor GA communication, DYKWIA pax, people using pre boarding when they are not supposed to (and GA not enforcing).
I usually board last, partly to watch the fun of the dumpster fire that is of UA.
The only place that I’ve really seen preboarding issues is the C134-137 area where four gates are squeezed in too tight. They can barely define the boarding lanes for each gate let alone a preboarding area.
#112
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, DL DM
Posts: 255
Even in hubs, there is little to no risk of you losing baggage space at or near your row unless you are in bulkhead, whether you preboard first or last as 1K. The preboarding "surge" is little more than a physical display of DYKWIA. The only caveat to this is when a bad GA calls 1K with first class and group 1 all in one breath, which happens to me about 1-2x a year. It's not worth surging, and it's not worth me being associated with the cringey surge... so I'll take my time on the 1K preboarding.
#113
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 38
This threw me for a loop when I flew United for the first time in forever over the weekend. I was in First on an CRJ and half the plan was already boarded by the time Group 1 was called hope they either do away with it or it gets cut entirely
#114
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
I used to move back and forth to 1k depending on my flying pattern for the year, but buy a lot of F, so familiar with Group 1 and 1K boarding in lots of airports, and will move back down again next year. It is chaotic, but my practice as a 1K is just to position myself away from the group lines somewhere I have a reasonably straight shot to the gate, like near the counter or wall. There may be other 1Ks ahead of me, and that is fine. If someone just stands in front of me not moving, I will politely but quickly ask them if they are 1K and walk around them if they answer anything other than a quick "yes" and start moving. (I don't know why so many people who are in the last boarding groups stand near to the gate and block others, but it is pretty common.)
But being in Group 1 is okay, too. You will still probably get a good overheard space above your seat. Sometimes, though, even the Group 1 line can just be a mob intermingled with the other lines.
But being in Group 1 is okay, too. You will still probably get a good overheard space above your seat. Sometimes, though, even the Group 1 line can just be a mob intermingled with the other lines.
#115
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
...The second approach, where I feel like I really need to board right away (e.g., when I'm in a seat where I know the crew has already claimed the overhead space above me) is to go to the GA just before boarding is about to start and ask politely where 1Ks are supposed to stand. It sounds like a rookie move, but at least you know what their expectations are.
#118
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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Do you mean there's no benefit to being at front of pre-board line vs. bringing up the rear on preboarding? I would agree with that. But there's definitely an advantage over Group 1, particularly on E75s and Airbus, where missing pre-boarding may mean your roller has to go in a Y bin.
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,514
Good night, I’ll take UA’s boarding process over AA’s any time. My flights last week were a nightmare and going out of EWR made it worse.
The only place that I’ve really seen preboarding issues is the C134-137 area where four gates are squeezed in too tight. They can barely define the boarding lanes for each gate let alone a preboarding area.
The only place that I’ve really seen preboarding issues is the C134-137 area where four gates are squeezed in too tight. They can barely define the boarding lanes for each gate let alone a preboarding area.
Good morning!
#120
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
If you could guarantee me/ a 1K a spot for their bag on top of where they sit, this would help a ton. I fly a ton of 175s out of Detroit, and if I am not one of the first handful to board, My bag has to go back in the economy section because only half the overhead bins are usable. That's really the benefit I need. I don't think there is a practical answer to this, but it would certainly alleviate a lot of my concerns.
For economy flights I'm not upgraded on larger planes, I'm usually in the exit row, so again having a spot overhead is really important to me because I loathe having to check and even gate-check bags.
For economy flights I'm not upgraded on larger planes, I'm usually in the exit row, so again having a spot overhead is really important to me because I loathe having to check and even gate-check bags.