Jun 17, 2020, 4:09 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Debating the value of masks is not appropriate for the UA forum -- we will discuss the UA requirements, enforcement and/or compliance. The value of masks is not UA specific issue (and not airline industry-specific either) and is best discussed elsewhere in a more universal format
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
.22 April UA to provide "Social distancing" by blocking middles from advance seat assignments -- note middles can be assigned for those traveling together or at the gate if needed ... example notice and COVID-19: What we're doing to keep customers and employees safe
20 May 2020 United Launches United CleanPlus: A New Standard of Cleanliness and Safety in Partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic ... (post)
"allowing customers to take alternative flights when we expect a flight to operate over 70% capacity." is included in the above announvement
Also NSRA not allowed if above 70%
15 June 2020 United Airlines Strengthens Onboard Mask Policy to Further Protect Passengers and Employees Against COVID-19 Spread ... (post)
July 2020 -- appears UA has dropped blocking pre-assignment of middles, still notifying if 70% booked
20 July -- "Traveling is different now, but we're still committed to your safety What to expect when you travel next", e-mail
22 July -- United Extends Mask Requirements to Airports
17 August 2021 -- TSA to extend transportation mask mandate into January (18, 2022)
UA COVID19 precautions: **REQUIRING** mask usage per CDC/DoT
Aug 13, 2020, 3:07 pm
#661
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,184
I wouldn't expect front line employees to know the nuances. They should know what the applicable requirement is and specifically how it should be enforced even if they are confused about the source of the specific requirement.
Aug 13, 2020, 4:00 pm
#662
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: 1MM, UA 1k
Posts: 529
If you look at the seat map on an Alaska flight, the blocked seats are rather clear. All middle seats on 3x3 aircraft are blocked, and on 2x2 aircraft, one aisle seat is blocked front to back. It's not a strong suggestion it's an absolute policy with an exception for overbook/IRROP situations.
There are plenty of examples of no mask enforcement and/or FA's or GA's not wearing their masks properly throughout this forum and on social media - it's not exactly a secret.
There are plenty of examples of no mask enforcement and/or FA's or GA's not wearing their masks properly throughout this forum and on social media - it's not exactly a secret.
I can report today on BOS-DEN 647 my family had taken a row, consuming all but 1 seat. There was a similar pattern in the seat map for the row in front. This morning, those middle seats were taken. No one came to sit in those seats, and I noticed other middle seats booked according to the seat map were wide open as well.
Aug 16, 2020, 7:46 pm
#663
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
This boarding from the back is crazy. I’m on a completely full flight and sitting in row 10. When they called my row I boarded and the overhead bins are completely filled from those behind. So much for having status or priority. I get the reason but loyalty means nothing. Switching to Southwest- at least there they are actually respecting social distancing and your status means something.
Interestingly you can still pay for priority boarding on United if you're not an elite. Since they're not doing priority boarding for other than 1K and above, I guess they are just hoping that people will pay the fee and then not complain when they don't get the service?
Aug 17, 2020, 5:49 am
#664
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
Your profile says you're a 1K - they've still been doing preboarding for GS and 1K.
Interestingly you can still pay for priority boarding on United if you're not an elite. Since they're not doing priority boarding for other than 1K and above, I guess they are just hoping that people will pay the fee and then not complain when they don't get the service?
Interestingly you can still pay for priority boarding on United if you're not an elite. Since they're not doing priority boarding for other than 1K and above, I guess they are just hoping that people will pay the fee and then not complain when they don't get the service?
Aug 17, 2020, 5:31 pm
#665
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
A generic discussion about the safest way to do air travel has been moved to Coronavirus forum as Safest aircraft operation in COVID era: boarding back to front, empty middles, ...
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Aug 19, 2020, 11:41 am
#666
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: EWR
Posts: 894
Boarding Process for upcoming flight
Hello - I'm flying EWR-ORD next week. I haven't flown in nearly 6 months, and have been reading through all of the previous comments. I have several questions:
1) What is the boarding process like? Do GS/1K get called ahead of group 1? Or do they board from back of the plane to front? Worried that overhead space will be gone as I'm seated in the front.
2) Does anyone have any experience with wearing a N95 respirator on board? It says on the United website that masks with valves will not be allowed. I have a N95 but it has a valve on it. Wondering if double-masking would be allowed?
1) What is the boarding process like? Do GS/1K get called ahead of group 1? Or do they board from back of the plane to front? Worried that overhead space will be gone as I'm seated in the front.
2) Does anyone have any experience with wearing a N95 respirator on board? It says on the United website that masks with valves will not be allowed. I have a N95 but it has a valve on it. Wondering if double-masking would be allowed?
Aug 19, 2020, 11:45 am
#667
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,464
Hello - I'm flying EWR-ORD next week. I haven't flown in nearly 6 months, and have been reading through all of the previous comments. I have several questions:
1) What is the boarding process like? Do GS/1K get called ahead of group 1? Or do they board from back of the plane to front? Worried that overhead space will be gone as I'm seated in the front.
2) Does anyone have any experience with wearing a N95 respirator on board? It says on the United website that masks with valves will not be allowed. I have a N95 but it has a valve on it. Wondering if double-masking would be allowed?
1) What is the boarding process like? Do GS/1K get called ahead of group 1? Or do they board from back of the plane to front? Worried that overhead space will be gone as I'm seated in the front.
2) Does anyone have any experience with wearing a N95 respirator on board? It says on the United website that masks with valves will not be allowed. I have a N95 but it has a valve on it. Wondering if double-masking would be allowed?
2) I can't imagine anyone will bother you if you put a cloth or surgical mask over your valved mask.
Aug 19, 2020, 1:25 pm
#668
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
It's unfortunate if United's (and others') wording stipulates that N95 masks with valves aren't allowed. They should at least be more specific and state that N95 with exhalation valves aren't allowed if the valve isn't being properly covered also.
Aug 21, 2020, 12:52 pm
#669
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC E50K *G - Amtrak SelectPlus
Posts: 231
Does United block adjacent seats for Domestic First or will I end up with someone that gets upgraded beside me? Delta and Alaska appear to be blocking Adjacent for First/Business
Aug 21, 2020, 1:40 pm
#670
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Posts: 42,211
Not sure why "upgrade" is a factor - someone can be assigned to the adjacent seat who bought their ticket.
Aug 21, 2020, 3:24 pm
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
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Posts: 20,061
Aug 21, 2020, 3:34 pm
#673
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: hilton diamond, united 1k, priority
Posts: 55
Aug 21, 2020, 7:59 pm
#675
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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If you’re planning to head over to DL brace yourself for the most embarrassing F soft product on offer today.