Tight Connection in HKG - Denied Boarding Because Bags Misconnect
Aug 1, 2019, 2:14 pm
#31
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Seriously! Especially on this long layover, I completely lost track of time. BUT I made sure I got to the gate by T30 ; )
Aug 1, 2019, 2:27 pm
#32
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Can you clarify what you mean by "and then reported out the original baggage point that they couldn't board her because of her baggage wasn't making it"? Her bags were still stuck at her point of origin?
This new information seems to dispel some of the conjecture from earlier in this thread regarding "flight closed" and "the 'no baggage' excuse was a pretext."
This new information seems to dispel some of the conjecture from earlier in this thread regarding "flight closed" and "the 'no baggage' excuse was a pretext."
Aug 1, 2019, 4:15 pm
#33
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This is strange, but it sounds like the GA's tried to get her on the flights (scanned the BP and all). So, it was some sort of information in the computer. How would the computer know that the bag wouldn't make it (since it was coming from a different airline)? This is baffling! Hopefully, someone on FT will be able to unravel the mystery...
Aug 1, 2019, 5:16 pm
#34
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The GAs likely concluded based on the reported KA delay that she wasn't going to make it and offloaded her on that basis. This is not uncommon when a connecting flight is delayed; ordinarily, however, they offload the "delayed" pax so they can give the seat to a waitlisted pax.
Aug 1, 2019, 5:18 pm
#35
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... When she arrived, the gate was open and they scanned her boarding pass to let her board. They told her her ticket was "flagged", they checked the flag, and then reported out the original baggage point that they couldn't board her because of her baggage wasn't making it.
Aug 1, 2019, 5:19 pm
#36
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Yeah I'm not buying.
There's a reason we have the term MOLA specific to the UA forum
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
There's a reason we have the term MOLA specific to the UA forum
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Last edited by Kacee; Aug 1, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Aug 1, 2019, 5:23 pm
#37
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Aug 1, 2019, 5:31 pm
#38
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Who knows. But the gate for this flight would be worked by a team of agents. Nor would I find it implausible that the agent just made up a reason rather than admitting "we didn't think you would make it and couldn't be bothered to wait and see."
Aug 1, 2019, 5:34 pm
#39
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Once offloaded, the GA couldn't simply "undo" the offloading on the spot and let the pax board, I assume? There were empty seats and the gate was still open, but I guess it doesn't work like that?
Aug 1, 2019, 6:00 pm
#40
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We may never know the full story here.
Aug 1, 2019, 6:10 pm
#41
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Ok - so my friend has landed at LAX and is entertained about being the subject of this thread. She also has a new piece of information: When she arrived, the gate was open and they scanned her boarding pass to let her board. They told her her ticket was "flagged", they checked the flag, and then reported out the original baggage point that they couldn't board her because of her baggage wasn't making it.
Aug 1, 2019, 8:37 pm
#43
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I believe that the computer system can detect delayed connection which falls below MCT - 40 minutes is below MCT of HKG airport so the passenger is offloaded, but if the passenger can make it on time before gate close can't the agent manually undo the offloading?
Aug 1, 2019, 8:56 pm
#44
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It sounds like there's more to the story here. It could be that there's some HK or pan-Chinese law that prevents customers from being separated from their bags under any circumstance, but if there is, I've never heard of it (and I looked) -- and I've had a missing bag on arrival at HKG.
I suspect until / unless the OP's friend writes in and gets a clearer explanation from UA -- or until a UA gate agent who's aware of any such policy chimes in -- we probably won't know.
Aug 8, 2019, 2:41 am
#45
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It has been some time since this thread opened and at the last posing of the OP, the subject is apparently stuck in LAX, much like Charlie on the MTA. For those of us who are not Agatha Christie fans and do not love a mystery, will the OP please fill us in on the resolution of this aviator’s soap opera. Did the friend make it to her destination? Was she reunited with her bags? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks.
