emcampbe

I thought that was the point of the gold vs. blue BP's (although I guess this isn't a perfect system, as all F and GS/1K/1P/*G get gold BP's and access to the red carpet, while 2Ps who don't access to the red carpet unless upgraded, and *S also get gold BPs too). Although, of course, with the toilet paper BP's becoming ever more prominent, I guess there are fewer and fewer stations that this would work at.

I can't see why you'd need to board on the red carpet only if you're boarding first. Just last weekend at IAD, they only cleared gate upgrades after boarding commenced. They in fact even mentioned this would happen prior to boarding, so she announced the first 6 on the list should not board and standby for upgrades. When I got to the carpet (I think it was seating 2 or 3 at that point), the agent opened the rope (and the first pax in the general line knew what was going on, and rather then try to board ahead, waited for me).

I have seen times when I have arrived in the middle of the boarding process where some GA's will board 2 or 3 more from the main line first, then open the rope. But I have never been told the carpet doesn't work once general boarding has commenced.

Fredd

That's a basic point I don't believe has been yet mentioned. ^
The whole point of the red carpet is to enable GS, F, 1K, to have priority boarding throughout the boarding process or else there'd be no need for it at all.

gengar

As I posted here, on some occasions when I've gotten into the non-"red carpet" line due to missing priority boarding, the GA actually has mentioned that I should just use the red carpet next time. Nowadays I always use the red carpet even after priority boarding and have always been quickly let through. It's really surprising behavior on the part of the GA in the OP.

markj99

enjoyed the comment. But in all seriousness: I once was standing there for quite a while and eventually the GA smiled and said "It's not going to open itself." I felt a little foolish and ever since have usually just opened it on my own. Anyone else have the same experience or habit?

reddirt14

You should have fired her on the spot. You are a 1k, act like one. Such a disappointment to to the membership. how do you expect 2Ps and 1Ps to look up to you when you can't even handle a single GA. Honestly, please switch carriers, Southwest might be more appropriate. UA, especially 1K UA is for type A personalities, not Type C.

EsquireFlyer

Haha!! Very funny. Wait, you are joking, right?

I have read this kind of account several times on FT (1Ks in regular lane being told by GAs that they should have used the red lane), which is part of the reason I always go for the red lane even if the ribbon appears to be closed. To have some GAs advising travelers as gengar's GA did, and have some GAs bouncing 1Ks from the red lane once the blue lane has opened as my GA did, is a really frustrating inconsistency.

Hey! I mentioned it too, in post #1.
But yes, I agree, the fact that the red carpet lane even exists seems to indicate that it's not just for early boarding.

reddirt14

Yeah - I was joking. Although I have on ocassion used the red carpet line to bypass a long line of boarding when the GA started early or I was in the red carpet club a little to long. I do feel for the op. It's a delicate balance.

1111

Now that many of us are going paperless with our BP's, we'll need to work out some secret signal, either that or get the legendary "1K" tattoo on our foreheads.

laxarrival

Yes, has happened to me before. I still don't usually open it myself, but just make eye contact and they always let me through.

dsquared37

There have been a few times where the GA is processing pax after elite boarding when I saunter up to the red carpet. I figure rather than make her walk away from the podium and slow things down I can just do it myself. Never has this caused a stir.

joesmoe

I think the 1k Tattoo is going to be the best solution here. Should be in gold on the forehead.

jasp25

I don't look like a usual 1K (I was told I look under 21, I dress like a student when I travel)and I'm flying out of LAX next week. I will try boarding thru the red carpet during zone 1, and I'll report what happens.


IAD A-terminal for UAX is like a flea market! I have seen agents boarding and calling everyone all at once and at one time everyone on our flight boarded thru the red carpet. I remember making a comment to the gate agent that everyone's GS and 1K on this flight.. and he said something like, "yes, GS/1K everyone!"

Yes, and don't forget to include the tulip!

weero

Idiots. All of them.

The 1KVoice degenerated to a stinkin' factory of apologies for pathetic employee behaviour. Either your get a gibberish answer in Klingon from the ICC 1KVoice or when you escalate, you get such foul excuses from an agent who is capable of actually speaking English but too lazy to reprimand the GA who messed up.

These things went considerably worse over the last 1.5 years and have me fly other carriers more and more as UA customer service doesn't protect the customers but the bad eggs in theis staff .

joesmoe

Though its been mentioned already a few times in this thread, i'll also chime in saying that i've boarded late in the priority lane many times, in fact almost every time. I see no reason to board early, I leave the lounge 15-20 mins prior to departure, and board 10-15 before.

Even if there are only 5 people in the regular line I still go to the priority line, I don't care if they board all 5 people first, it saves me getting harassed if a bag is slightly too large, or something else is slightly out of place. Its also just habit.

fastair

The funny thing with the tattoo is when status expires, some people will still get in the red carpet line and just hold something over the expiration date part of the tattoo. GA: "Sir, could you please uncover the rest of the tattoo, the ink is faded, and the tattoo is using the old logo, so I think that this may not be a current tattoo."