Most 1k on a flight you have seen
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
IAD-SFO had probably 50 1K/GS today. As a GS on a B fare, was #5 on the upgrade list (and didn't clear on a 772). It's getting absurd.
Would be curious as to how SFO compares with other hubs - do we have more elites (thanks to the corporate contracts) than ORD/EWR/IAH/IAD? I would have to think IAD is at the bottom, especially for GS as the government typically does not buy C/F tix.
#34
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
I'm still salty about the fact that they let 1Ks preboard. Not having to be part of the pre-board scrum was one of the #1 perks of being GS. Now I get shoved out of the way by 25 1Ks the millisecond they announce passengers with disabilities.
#36
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat; *A Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 351
I'm still salty about the fact that they let 1Ks preboard. Not having to be part of the pre-board scrum was one of the #1 perks of being GS. Now I get shoved out of the way by 25 1Ks the millisecond they announce passengers with disabilities.
This is not my experience at smaller non-hub airports, but that said many fewer GS, 1K or even Platinums at non-hub airports. I fly in and out of Indianapolis sometimes and most people there are just so polite they wait patiently for their turn.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,741
I'm still salty about the fact that they let 1Ks preboard. Not having to be part of the pre-board scrum was one of the #1 perks of being GS. Now I get shoved out of the way by 25 1Ks the millisecond they announce passengers with disabilities.
#38
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,446
That was my experience when they first implemented it but more recently I've noticed the gate agents (at least at hub airports which is most of my flying) are very careful and methodical about calling each pre-boarding category separately, and pausing for a bit to see if anyone starts toward the gate. They also now have the overhead monitors set up with that order of priority which helps.
This is not my experience at smaller non-hub airports, but that said many fewer GS, 1K or even Platinums at non-hub airports. I fly in and out of Indianapolis sometimes and most people there are just so polite they wait patiently for their turn.
This is not my experience at smaller non-hub airports, but that said many fewer GS, 1K or even Platinums at non-hub airports. I fly in and out of Indianapolis sometimes and most people there are just so polite they wait patiently for their turn.
#39
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
But hey, DirecTV is free in Y.
#40
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
I've stopped counting.. My opinion:
Thursday PM or Monday AM departing the following airport hubs would have the highest numbers EWR, ORD, or SFO.
E.g. ORD-EWR (UA 230) or IAH-EWR (UA 2073) typically has a Thursday afternoon departure on a position large/heavy aircraft so chance of upgrade is immensely higher vs. normal single aisle attracting many more 1Ks. The confusion at the gate as 1Ks can or decide not to queue with Group 1 makes the chaos a little comical.
Thursday PM or Monday AM departing the following airport hubs would have the highest numbers EWR, ORD, or SFO.
E.g. ORD-EWR (UA 230) or IAH-EWR (UA 2073) typically has a Thursday afternoon departure on a position large/heavy aircraft so chance of upgrade is immensely higher vs. normal single aisle attracting many more 1Ks. The confusion at the gate as 1Ks can or decide not to queue with Group 1 makes the chaos a little comical.
#41
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 651
I was #76 on the CPU list on an SFO-ORD flight with a S fare. Assuming that the non-1Ks with instruments ahead of me and 1Ks with lower fares (TLKG) behind me balance out I would think there were that many 1K/GS on that flight.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
However, you will be very very unhappy if you have to do anything relating to a counter/ticket agent at BWI with United. the lines (and sometimes to pre check line unrelated to UA) can be absolutely crazy in the early AM. its mind boggling to me every time.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
Personally I would take the DCA<->SFO nonstop any day over the other two. Saves 30-60 minutes in travel time to the airport, not to mention the extra time needed to get to the C or D gates at IAD. And better dining options (though maybe not on the UA pier). I expect there are more than a few GS/1Ks on the DCA flights, but I was closer to the top the waitlist than for IAD. Now if you live or work in Herndon or Columbia that's another matter...
Last edited by Boraxo; Mar 11, 2019 at 11:51 am
#45
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExecPlat
Posts: 820
I'm not sure how many 1Ks there were on my recent ORD-SFO Monday morning flight (777), but as a 1K on a G fare using an RPU, I was #33 on the upgrade list, out of around 150 people. That has to be one of the longest upgrade lists I've ever seen.