United Airlines Makes Connecting the World Easier Than Ever with ConnectionSaver
Dec 23, 2019, 4:40 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
I have no more of an idea what the criteria are for the tool than your average FTer... But I've noticed a hold for pax much more often since this has been rolled out than before.
Conversely, I've noticed crews are much less willing to make the decision themselves to wait for passengers ("if the tool says not to wait...")
Conversely, I've noticed crews are much less willing to make the decision themselves to wait for passengers ("if the tool says not to wait...")
Dec 23, 2019, 5:05 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Also surprising [to me]: crews could make the decision to hold and wait for passengers with UNITED? THAT actually happened???
Dec 23, 2019, 7:42 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
I had a connection on Saturday that was scheduled as 30 minutes at DEN, from a regional jet in the B80 range to a mainline flight in the mid B20 range somewhere, on the last flight of the day. We arrived very early, but then stalled waiting for a gate until about six minutes after our scheduled arrival. I was able to get off the plane early — one of the few times I’ve moved up past people who weren’t ready — and didn’t have a green-tagged bag, so I knew I was going to make it with brisk walking. After a couple of minutes, I got a text that my connection was being protected: it was something like “Breathe easy, we’re holding your flight for a couple of extra minutes, but please proceed to the gate for the convenience of your fellow passengers.
I didn’t need the extra time, and we ended up pushing back two minutes early, but I was the last person on the flight besides one stand-by, so they were definitely waiting for me personally. I certainly appreciated it.
I didn’t need the extra time, and we ended up pushing back two minutes early, but I was the last person on the flight besides one stand-by, so they were definitely waiting for me personally. I certainly appreciated it.
Dec 23, 2019, 10:57 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
Out of interest, did your 2nd flight land early? One of the criteria was supposed to be that it would be more likely to be used on flights where they were scheduled to land early (thus the extra wait wasn't leading to a late arrival).
Dec 23, 2019, 11:05 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Prior to departure, it was estimated to arrive 8 minutes early, and we ended up arriving 16 minutes early.
Jan 2, 2020, 1:05 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
United Changed Gate/Terminal Plus ConnectionSaver For Connecting Passengers
On 12/31/2019, UA 1117 from IAH to LAX was delayed due to maintenance issues. This delayed the flight departure by 1.5+ hours. Onboard, there were about 3 or more people connecting to Sacramento in LA. One of these passengers was sitting behind me in seat 2B.
Gate agent came aboard to re accommodate 2B and others but due to only a limited number of flights, to Sacramento plus since the next day was New Years day, the morning flight to Sacramento wasn't operating. Lets just say, I overheard 2B's phone call with someone and it didn't include glowing reviews of United (or American).
Fast forward to mid-flight and the captain comes on the intercom and announces our new estimated arrival time with the more direct routing he was able to get AND he also announced that our arrival gate and terminal, which was originally scheduled for Terminal 7 would be changed to Terminal 8, few gates down from the Sacramento flight's gate and that also the Sacramento flight would be held with ConnectionSaver.
Lets just say the mood aboard the plane changed with the announcement including for the people who did not have an connection. Most people's muttering was regarding how they could not believe that any airline would move gate/terminal and delay a flight for passengers.
Upon arrival, 2B was in a euphoric mood as he personally thanked the Captain and Co-Pilot while waiting for the aircraft door to open and then dashed out the plane to catching the Sacramento flight which was 3 gates down from where we parked.
ConnectionSaver started last year, but is the gate / terminal shuffling part of ConnectionSaver or is it something done on a case by case basis?
Gate agent came aboard to re accommodate 2B and others but due to only a limited number of flights, to Sacramento plus since the next day was New Years day, the morning flight to Sacramento wasn't operating. Lets just say, I overheard 2B's phone call with someone and it didn't include glowing reviews of United (or American).
Fast forward to mid-flight and the captain comes on the intercom and announces our new estimated arrival time with the more direct routing he was able to get AND he also announced that our arrival gate and terminal, which was originally scheduled for Terminal 7 would be changed to Terminal 8, few gates down from the Sacramento flight's gate and that also the Sacramento flight would be held with ConnectionSaver.
Lets just say the mood aboard the plane changed with the announcement including for the people who did not have an connection. Most people's muttering was regarding how they could not believe that any airline would move gate/terminal and delay a flight for passengers.
Upon arrival, 2B was in a euphoric mood as he personally thanked the Captain and Co-Pilot while waiting for the aircraft door to open and then dashed out the plane to catching the Sacramento flight which was 3 gates down from where we parked.
ConnectionSaver started last year, but is the gate / terminal shuffling part of ConnectionSaver or is it something done on a case by case basis?
Jan 2, 2020, 1:37 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Jan 2, 2020, 2:13 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
I weep for humanity.
Jan 2, 2020, 2:32 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
Programs: United Mileage Plus 1K 2 MM, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,627
I was delayed SLC-ORD, with connection to DCA 2 weeks ago.
I was first off at ORD, and asked the GA about my flight. She immediately started re-booking me. I asked about connection saver and she just rolled her eyes...
But she was very proactive, got me a travel credit voucher and extra meal voucher. She even recommended a place by my new gate (which was closed for a private party that day. I had never run into an airport restaurant closed for a private party!).
I give her a big thumbs up^. CS perhaps not ready for prime time....
I was first off at ORD, and asked the GA about my flight. She immediately started re-booking me. I asked about connection saver and she just rolled her eyes...
But she was very proactive, got me a travel credit voucher and extra meal voucher. She even recommended a place by my new gate (which was closed for a private party that day. I had never run into an airport restaurant closed for a private party!).
I give her a big thumbs up^. CS perhaps not ready for prime time....
Jan 2, 2020, 2:44 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
I don't know if the Connection Saver software includes gate changes.
What I do know is that each hub has a single person whose only job is to manage gate allocation. I'm sure that one of the many things they consider is tight connections. I'm not sure how often all their other constraints allow for an arrival gate to be swapped to a closer gate for tight connections.
What I do know is that each hub has a single person whose only job is to manage gate allocation. I'm sure that one of the many things they consider is tight connections. I'm not sure how often all their other constraints allow for an arrival gate to be swapped to a closer gate for tight connections.