Has boarding w/ companion changed?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: 1K, MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 427
Has boarding w/ companion changed?
Flew from ORD to RSW and boarding process typical...my wife and I boarded with a GS/1K/and 1P couple flying 1st. I was with my wife-no status-and when they called for boarding, my wife/me, a GS/wife and 1P but 1st class walked to red carpet to board, All three status members were told we could board but none of our wife's were allowed, We questioned why since they were with us and told "United never allows non-elites to board before their boarding zone" and literally pulled the "rope" between my wife and me. When we all objected were told if we don't like following rules, he will call security.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA, but I play the field
Posts: 1,440
That seems more than a little nuts (and I say that as someone who travels alone much more often than with a companion).
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: BDL, BOS, NYC and Germany
Programs: mainly UA and CO
Posts: 90
IMO and experience, I think they should have allowed you to board with your companion.
Complain to customer satisfaction and you will most likely get a $ 250 voucher for future travel.
Complain to customer satisfaction and you will most likely get a $ 250 voucher for future travel.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
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Too bad you weren't at Fastair's gate...he would have let the wives go with their husbands...oh well, he can't be everywhere
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LAS
Programs: UA Platinum, 1M, HH Diamond
Posts: 121
Announcements
I've noticed that lately they more consistently announce that for people travelling together they should board with the person with the higher boarding group number.
So are you guys saying it's official policy to allow red carpet passengers to bring their companion or just a courtesy which should be extended?
I usually travel solo or, if with a companion, I have upgraded them, so haven't encountered this scenario.
So are you guys saying it's official policy to allow red carpet passengers to bring their companion or just a courtesy which should be extended?
I usually travel solo or, if with a companion, I have upgraded them, so haven't encountered this scenario.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Thank you OP for letting us know that this happened at ORD and the GA is a he. This is very embarrassed so I will avoid having any lower status family member or friend boarded with me on the red carpet when at the ORD with a male GA. You should definitely write to 1KVoice about this incident and please come back to let us know where UA stands on this issue. BTW, I have never ever denied boarding with one or more lower or no-status companions on the Red Carpet even when we were at NRT where they have very strict boarding rule.
Flew from ORD to RSW and boarding process typical...my wife and I boarded with a GS/1K/and 1P couple flying 1st. I was with my wife-no status-and when they called for boarding, my wife/me, a GS/wife and 1P but 1st class walked to red carpet to board, All three status members were told we could board but none of our wife's were allowed, We questioned why since they were with us and told "United never allows non-elites to board before their boarding zone" and literally pulled the "rope" between my wife and me. When we all objected were told if we don't like following rules, he will call security.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
#9
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I have brought in people to the GS check-in (sometimes on the same flight, sometimes not) and there was never an issue with this. (Maybe becasue they all know me well at ORD, but other stations not as much.)
It seems a bit over the top to me, but I don't know all the facts of this particular situation.
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2009
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Posts: 21,603
Very strange. FS-Mom is only 1P, and in the off-chance that I get UDU and she does not, she boards with me.. We have never had problems with her using the red carpet if she is sitting in Y.
Was this a UX GA?
Was this a UX GA?
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Flew from ORD to RSW and boarding process typical...my wife and I boarded with a GS/1K/and 1P couple flying 1st. I was with my wife-no status-and when they called for boarding, my wife/me, a GS/wife and 1P but 1st class walked to red carpet to board, All three status members were told we could board but none of our wife's were allowed, We questioned why since they were with us and told "United never allows non-elites to board before their boarding zone" and literally pulled the "rope" between my wife and me. When we all objected were told if we don't like following rules, he will call security.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
Has something changed? This was beyond ridiculous and the most power trippng GA I have ever seen.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Can anyone cite online documentation to support their theories on this one, or is it a case of one assumes logic not supported by rule?
I will defend anyone's published benefits, but will not actively (may passively) grant unpublished assumptions.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL & (gasp) AVP (NEPA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 787
You might be surprised at my interpretation of the published rules on this one.
Can anyone cite online documentation to support their theories on this one, or is it a case of one assumes logic not supported by rule?
I will defend anyone's published benefits, but will not actively (may passively) grant unpublished assumptions.
Can anyone cite online documentation to support their theories on this one, or is it a case of one assumes logic not supported by rule?
I will defend anyone's published benefits, but will not actively (may passively) grant unpublished assumptions.
I got a nice $600 e-cert from the station manager in PHL because of this exact issue.