Flight attendants jumping the Terminal C>A bus queue
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,264
Flight attendants jumping the Terminal C>A bus queue
At EWR today: I was politely lined up with all the other Pax for the Terminal A bus. Up saunter two United flight attendants straight around the entire queue to the front. I watched them get off at the other end. They were most definitely not in a hurry. Just asserting their superior status, I suppose.
United -- where employees always come first and passengers are always last.
United -- where employees always come first and passengers are always last.
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 117
At EWR today: I was politely lined up with all the other Pax for the Terminal A bus. Up saunter two United flight attendants straight around the entire queue to the front. I watched them get off at the other end. They were most definitely not in a hurry. Just asserting their superior status, I suppose.
United -- where employees always come first and passengers are always last.
United -- where employees always come first and passengers are always last.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,264
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,616
This is not noteworthy. Crew (and airport employees) get priority, which is as it should be.
Otherwise, the complaint would be that departure was delayed because the crew was stuck in the security line.
Otherwise, the complaint would be that departure was delayed because the crew was stuck in the security line.
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,016
It is long a practice for all airline personal (and some airport personal) at all airports to bypass security and immigration lines. This seems inline with that practice. Must admit the security bypass does rub me wrong at times but this does not appear out of ordinary. This is a practice I seen other airline employee handle worst (especially European crews) and better than UA employees. Nothing UA specific here.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 826
Disagree - I'm expected to show up on time for meetings, etc and need to account for lines, IRROPs, traffic, etc. Sometimes that means, for critical meetings, I leave a day ahead of time to account for delays. Haven't heard a compelling argument as to why airline/airport staff have different expectations.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 844
Disagree - I'm expected to show up on time for meetings, etc and need to account for lines, IRROPs, traffic, etc. Sometimes that means, for critical meetings, I leave a day ahead of time to account for delays. Haven't heard a compelling argument as to why airline/airport staff have different expectations.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1K, *wood LT Plat
Posts: 826
I don't disagree that at least initially there will be some timeliness issues, though feel confident that if United (or other airlines) set expectations that crew show up to their assigned locations on time or otherwise face disciplinary actions, it shouldn't be a long term problem.
#9
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,425
Are we seeing a trend here on United FT?
Crew jumps the queue at terminal transfer bus stop, to be seated down for most of the flight, while locking themselves a lavatory for their own use.
Crew jumps the queue at terminal transfer bus stop, to be seated down for most of the flight, while locking themselves a lavatory for their own use.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,054
Disagree - I'm expected to show up on time for meetings, etc and need to account for lines, IRROPs, traffic, etc. Sometimes that means, for critical meetings, I leave a day ahead of time to account for delays. Haven't heard a compelling argument as to why airline/airport staff have different expectations.
Maybe UA could monetize A<>C bus early boarding (after crew)
And pilots flight attendants should stand in regular security lines? They should allocate regular security line time to be at their job?
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Mar 4, 2024 at 12:07 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,264
#13
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,990
Are we seeing a trend here on United FT?
Crew jumps the queue at terminal transfer bus stop, to be seated down for most of the flight, while locking themselves a lavatory for their own use.
Crew jumps the queue at terminal transfer bus stop, to be seated down for most of the flight, while locking themselves a lavatory for their own use.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: FLL, WAS, MEL, SIN
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,377
I don't see any issue with this.
There are multiple flights scheduled, and the crews going through the security/bus lines at the same time as us may or may not be on the same flight as us. We are not in a position to judge if they are early or late for their scheduled flights.
If we want flight crew to get there early waiting for the incoming aircraft and get ready so the flight can leave on time, then why are we get annoyed if they appear not be in a hurry. If they appear to be in a hurry, then we are annoyed they are late for work, and may delay departure.
There are multiple flights scheduled, and the crews going through the security/bus lines at the same time as us may or may not be on the same flight as us. We are not in a position to judge if they are early or late for their scheduled flights.
If we want flight crew to get there early waiting for the incoming aircraft and get ready so the flight can leave on time, then why are we get annoyed if they appear not be in a hurry. If they appear to be in a hurry, then we are annoyed they are late for work, and may delay departure.
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,616
I'm not a fan of UA service culture, but complaining about airline personnel getting security priority is both misplaced and pointless. As already noted, this is not UA specific, it is an industry-wide policy. (And I agree with the comment upthread that crews on non-US carriers, IME LH in particular, are the ones you're most likely to see cutting the line en masse.)
If there's a legit complaint here, it's with the Port Authority for not providing a separate crewmember access line.
If there's a legit complaint here, it's with the Port Authority for not providing a separate crewmember access line.