UA Mailing Baggage Handle Wraps to 1K/GS Customers {Archive}
 

Was at a remote out station recently, and the gate checks were delivered in about 30 seconds. I commented that I was not used to such speedy service-especially at Newark.

The GA asked of I was 1K. I said yes. She then said that "we will have new priority 1k/GS tags for gate checks that you will be assured to get your bag back first-just like checked bags".

Anyone have any further info? Supposedly this will start around 7/1.

That would be awesome if true, even if a mostly-minor benefit.

However, I got a good chuckle out of the line "get them back first just like with checked bags." A good 50% of the time at domestic airports, the Priority tags seem to not do anything at all, and the rest of the time when they do come out first, UA has given Priority tags to half the plane it seems anyway.

Big ^ if this is true. The long wait for bags on a hot jetway only underscores the ignominy of RJ travel.

Like how AA does it? If so, an actual enhancement!!!

As a 1K stuck on many regional jets, that would be quite helpful !

like like like like like. and PLEASE keep it to 1k/GS ONLY. not ALL elites. not only do i like them actually doing this, it gives a signal that they realize 1k's/GS's are move valuable and worth treating differently than all the other elites which is opposite of the CO mentality. a signal they realize they may have been wrong. maybe they'll go back to the old UA boarding ways too with only GS/1k on the carpet. maybe a real 1k line. ok, i'm just dreaming now

PmUA did this a couple of years ago with a limited trial:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...n-ase-den.html

And it worked quite well (IME).

Possible new gate check 1k/GA tags
 

I have my issued 1K luggage tag on my gate check suitcase and have usually gotten it back pretty quick.

I'd be interested in hearing other 1Ks experience with this.

I'm flying out of MKE to IAH tomorrow on a CRJ 700. I have to check my bag due to liquids, but I'll ask the gate agents I know, if they have heard of the GS/1K bag tags. Safe Travels! :cool:

No difference IME.

Pretty useless at some airports where they put all the luggages on a cart and then wheel them out at the same time

That's most airports... so I wonder at how much effect this will actually have if implemented.

No difference here too

This is for RJs. If a GS/1K your bag will receive a yellow handle to go over the handle on the bag. Ramp agents will load these last and take these off first. They will be the first bags on the jetway.

The luggage tags don't have any influence on gate check bags. This new system with the yellow handles will.

This would be a huge ^ if it's true. When I have tight connections (30 - 40 minutes) I often end up checking my bag since it sometimes can take 10 - 15 minutes to get my bag up to the jetbridge even with my 1K tag on my bag and at IAD, IAH, EWR, that amount of time can = missing the flight. I've found that often my bag is one of the last to come out when I gate check, likely because I'm usually one of the first to board and therefore my bag gets handed down to the tarmac quickly and loaded early.

To clear the confusion - this is happening. Suppose to start 7/1 but I haven't heard anything since they initially sent out a memo.

Also to clean confusion - the elite luggage tags don't mean anything when it comes to checked bags on RJs. This is why this new system is being implemented. The new handle will expedite handling for top tier elites.

Question though, how are they planning to verify when someone is a GS / 1K when boarding the plane, you know since Zone 1 isn't just for GS / 1K? Are they going to send me something in the mail or just ask me every single time before I board an RJ if I'm GS / 1K? Or is it just on the honor system in which case it's a waste of time. Given that turn times for RJs are usually about 20 minutes, I envision UA finding a way to make boarding take even longer if they have to ask each and every person in Zone 1 if they are GS / 1K...

When the real UA did the trial on COS-DEN, the GA just handed out the priority tags to those with 1K/GS/1P BPs. I suppose they could do it the same way..

Seems duplicative for UA to come up with new yellow handles to go on our bags when GS/1K are already issued luggage tags.

It somehow has worked quite well on AA! ^

The issued tags say nothing about current status - could be years old. Also, I have more than two bags in regular rotation and it's a crapshoot which tag is on the particular bag I'm using.

Also those tags last 2.5 flights with those quality plastic straps. Even with the better, leather GS tag I pull it off my roller and put it on my smaller bag if I am gate checking the roller.

That would be great.

1. Shows UA cares about GS/1K

2. Won't cost UA much.

3. Other than the poor seating, waiting on a cold/hot jet bridge is the main reason I dislike RJs.

Just spoke to a GA @ MKE that I know. She saw the memo and believes the yellow tag is a permenant one that will be mailed to GS /1K's and not a paper one issused at the gate. She is usually pretty good at keeping current on new procedures. Sorry if this is sloppy but I'm trying to write this on the plane before doors close. Safe Travels !

Thanks for the additional confirmation.

I guess it makes sense as it would save $MI/J a few $$$ in paper.

After flying RJs quite a bit this year, I think it's smart to introduce this low-cost benefit for top elite passengers.

I'd resorted to testing time of boarding to see if it impacted how quickly they brought up my luggage. It didn't matter at all -- somehow my bag was consistently among the last. I'm sure it's just bad luck, but it added to my frustration of having to fly on RJs in the first place.

On gate checked bags I find its usually first to board last to get your bags (FILO)

On checked bags I have had great experience 80% of the time by bags is within the first 5 to arrive.

I know you've said it twice in this thread but you may want to check out this recent conversation. In my experience it works about 40-60% of the time. Which is still good but not amazing or consistent like should be. And then toss in stations where they just roll the cart over (or use the lift as in ORD) and its back to all bags at once. It'll be interesting to see how UA implements it.

There are plenty of major, yet RJ-heavy stations that still require pax to line up inside the jetway to wait for their bags to be delivered. EWR, LAX, some SFO, DFW, LGA immediately come to mind. This will be a tangible benefit if executed well.

Yup. I always board last on express flights.

Now this is a change I WILL REALLY LIKE!!!!

I hope these actually come this time, I was really excited when pmUA trialed this but it never made it to the whole network. If they do... ^^^^

Being based out of COS and flying back/forth to DEN generally 2x per week on my way to other destinations, this would definitely be a benefit, but probably more in COS where they hand you your bag on the jetway as they are offloaded than in DEN where the RJ terminal uses a cart delivery system where all of the bags are loaded on a cart and either wheeled to the tarmac where passengers are waiting (for turboprop planes) or placed in the "elevator" that lifts the entire cart up to the jet bridge level.

As a 1K who flies COS-DEN a bunch, the trial worked great at COS, and about 1/3 of the time they were front and center on the cart at DIA. I was bummed when they discontinued it and an angry Skywest gate agent ripped it off my bag after the trial stopped.

Nice enough idea....I have no confidence in the pathetic UAX contract staff to implement it with any level of consistency or accuracy.

Great idea. I do gate check on RJs and hate that 5 minute wait to pick up your bag. At least I should get it off first.
Assuming the luggage tags are actually being used to determine which bags to offload first.
Experience domestically for checked "Priority" bags has been generally unfavorable - internationally I've had good experience most of the time.

Not really. If a flyer was issued a luggage tag in a previous year (due to earned status), and then was not GS/1K this year....you really think that they would remove their tag? :cool:

some have had issues with the staying power of the UA elite tags.