United's (new) boarding process - 1Ks, get out of the way! :-)
Dec 9, 2018, 2:27 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: San Francisco
Programs: United Global Services
Posts: 92
United's (new) boarding process - 1Ks, get out of the way! :-)
[Apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find such a thread.]
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
Dec 9, 2018, 4:16 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Portland OR
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 560
And you experience of one 1K makes you think we're all like that?
Dec 9, 2018, 4:22 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: May 2018
Location: ord
Programs: UA 1k SPG Platinum
Posts: 365
[Apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find such a thread.]
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
Dec 9, 2018, 6:09 am
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
The rant may fit better to this thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...16-onward.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...16-onward.html
Dec 9, 2018, 6:13 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
Dec 9, 2018, 6:48 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
United's New Boarding Process (with Wiki) [starting 18 Sep 2019]
And you experience of one 1K makes you think we're all like that?
And you experience of one 1K makes you think we're all like that?
Dec 9, 2018, 7:15 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
If boarding an airplane is that stressful maybe take the train next time.
Dec 9, 2018, 7:16 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,608
On my recent IAD-FRA, I was lined up in the Group 1 line. When they announced boarding for people needing assistance, several wheelchairs couldn't get through. When they announced 1K boarding, all of those people blocking the wheelchairs boarded. Contrast that with GS, who IME always wait to the side.
Dec 9, 2018, 7:21 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 58
Anyone who thinks they're special because they ride a lot of public transport probably needs to get a life. Not sure about the "fat guy" in the story, but it definitely seems to apply to the OP.
Those who are actually special or successful are in their private jets, not standing in lines at grotty airports with you ;-)
Those who are actually special or successful are in their private jets, not standing in lines at grotty airports with you ;-)
Dec 9, 2018, 7:26 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
[Apologies if this has been covered, but I couldn't find such a thread.]
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
RANT ON (tongue in cheek): Hey, you 1Kers: Get out of my way! You're not that important. :-)
I think United's new boarding process started in Sep 2018. I usually get to the gate right before boarding begins. On this particular trip (out of SFO), this tall, fat guy (sorry for fat-shaming [not] :-) nearly knocks me down as we exit the United Club and walk to the gate. We reach the gate and he moves to a different area and I move toward the actual podium where they'll start boarding. He sees me and wheels over to my space and plants his fat butt right in front of me. I shake my head, take two steps back, and wait. They begin the boarding process and this guy is a 1K! and then the creep tries to block me when they call GS. What the hell? When I pass him, he says: "Oh. You're Global Services?" I don't respond. I just moved past his fat butt. :-)
I'm an unassuming GSer. I don't wear expensive suits, elegant slacks, tailored jackets, pricey shoes, or god-awful gold watches, bulbous rings, and chains. I don't talk loud while I'm on my (non-Apple) smart phone (when, in fact, I rarely use it in public); I don't take that "important call" while I'm in queue and talk loud enough so everyone can enjoy my conversation; and I'm not always looking at my phone as though it's the most significant thing in my life. I stand off to the side and out of view as much as possible prior to boarding. I usually wear jeans, my backpack, and a cashmere sweater. :-) If I'm going East in the fall/winter, I'll carry a light jacket. No baseball cap, no Columbia/REI fleece top, no Gucci bag, no hoodie; no juggling a Starbucks, the carry-on, personal bag, and a phone as I board the flight.
While United's boarding process tends to be a bit of a circus and fun to watch, I'm used to it. Now, however, the 1Kers have this sense of entitlement. It was bad enough with the other GSers, but 1Ks, somehow, think they're special. It's great that United elevated them to pre-board status, but good grief, you're still behind GSers. Blocking me with your bag or your body (or your teenager[s]) won't get you on the airplane before me. A few flights ago, a band of 1Ks were complaining about families with childen under 2 boarding before them. Not happy? Find another airline.
RANT OFF. ;-)
Dec 9, 2018, 8:11 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
This rant highlights the idiocy of “preboarding” a large group of elites rather than simply creating a new group for them, with a line as before. On any elite-Heavy flight there are enough 1K people to warrant a line vs a scrum.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:16 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I don’t think 1K is an issue. It is how United manage the boarding process is a problem.
Clearly, there are quite a number of 1Ks, so why not have a line just for the 1K at the hub airports and/or focus cities?
Also, I have begun to hear agents announcing GS and 1K together as one boarding group.
Clearly, there are quite a number of 1Ks, so why not have a line just for the 1K at the hub airports and/or focus cities?
Also, I have begun to hear agents announcing GS and 1K together as one boarding group.
Dec 9, 2018, 8:17 am
#13
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,357
GS = good
1K = bad
Got it. Moving on to next thread...
1K = bad
Got it. Moving on to next thread...
Dec 9, 2018, 8:23 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
Just by virtue of the OP posting this thread I'm glad the tall fat guy did what he did. (if indeed its an accurate un-embellished story to begin with)
Dec 9, 2018, 8:26 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
I know everyone wants to be special and everyone is a winner but this has got ridiculous. As a 1K I am quite frankly embarrassed by the antics of some of my fellow 1Kers.
UA should have known this was not going to go well - lots of 1K members in the hubs
and very small gate areas.
Pre-boarding needs a letter system on the BP for GS (B) and 1K (D)
Since you do not know who is going to fall into Disabled and military (A) and pax with kids 2 and under (C) until time of boarding it may assist the scrum
On second thoughts, send an etiquette note to 1K members.