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UA WiMA Boarding Effective At HNL?

 
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 5:05 pm
  #1  
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UA WiMA Boarding Effective At HNL?

Hi All:

I'm a newbie to this forum so go lightly on me if this topic has already been covered in an earlier thread and/or beaten to death already! I'm a former full-time travel agent who used to fly 3-4 times a year but only annually for the past 3, and I had a question regarding UA's WiMA boarding procedure as the last time I fly them I believe they were still doing back-to-front. Has anyone flying out of HNL and SFO on UA recently been forced to board in WiMA fashion? Although it sounds like the procedure has been in effect for a while now, I have friends who flew HNL-ORD-HNL last November that did not have to board that way. I have an SFO trip coming up in May so any insights offered will be much appreciated. Thanks all for your time and kind assistance!

Aloha!
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 5:09 pm
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Aloha, AlphaTH
Welcome to Flyertalk. I am going to move your thread to the UA Forum for discussion.
Good luck..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

p.s. We were all newbies at one time. Never apologize for asking a question.
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 5:12 pm
  #3  
 
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Welcome to Flyertalk!

Yes, United uses WiMA boarding, with a few exceptions

preboard people with babies, need more time, etc
preboard GS, 1K, 1P and *Gold
Zone 1: *Silver
Zone 2: Window seats
Zone 3: Middle seats
Zone 4: Aisle seats

If you're traveling with a group, board with the lowest zone.

http://www.flyertalk.com/articles/ai...explained.html
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 5:21 pm
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Originally Posted by 2wheels

If you're traveling with a group, board with the lowest zone.

http://www.flyertalk.com/articles/ai...explained.html
Lowest being lowest number, so board at the earliest opportunity.
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 6:42 pm
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Originally Posted by fnothaft
Lowest being lowest number, so board at the earliest opportunity.
Perhaps apropos to the thread about announcement verbiage, I've always thought that the clearest way for GAs to explain the procedure is something like, "If you and members of your party have different zone numbers, please board with the most favorable zone number."
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 8:21 pm
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Originally Posted by 2wheels
Yes, United uses WiMA boarding, with a few exceptions

preboard people with babies, need more time, etc
preboard GS, 1K, 1P and *Gold
...
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I think they actually preboard people who "need assistance", which really means people who need assistance for a medical reason. I consistently see families with children denied early boarding (and my family has to board with me, which as a 1P, is early enough).
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 8:58 pm
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Originally Posted by PVDProf
I think they actually preboard people ...
Not to be an a*s but, they don't "preboard" people who needs more time, babies, wheelchair, 1k's GS, 1p's. They actually let them "board" don't they?

*scratches head*
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 9:34 pm
  #8  
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I have to ask... What is WiMA boarding?
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 9:48 pm
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Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
I have to ask... What is WiMA boarding?
Windows Middles Aisle
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 9:51 pm
  #10  
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Originally Posted by PVDProf
I think they actually preboard people who "need assistance", which really means people who need assistance for a medical reason. I consistently see families with children denied early boarding (and my family has to board with me, which as a 1P, is early enough).
+1

On DEN-SFO last Friday, the GA announced "if you have a medical issue, you may pre-board at this time" No mention of babies or small children.. Don't think I have heard a UA GA allow babies in a long time.

Originally Posted by SFO 1K
Windows Middles Aisle
Thanks
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 10:24 pm
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Originally Posted by FriendlySkies
+1

On DEN-SFO last Friday, the GA announced "if you have a medical issue, you may pre-board at this time" No mention of babies or small children.. Don't think I have heard a UA GA allow babies in a long time.



Thanks
+2. This has been my experience lately too. Only medical issues; no babies, etc.
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 10:56 pm
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ferrerid=22732
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 11:01 pm
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And UA has been boarding using "WiMA" for many years now...with the exception of tweaks to elite boarding it seems like it's been at least 10 to 12 years and longer if you count Shuttle.
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Old Mar 30, 2011, 11:24 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by jasp25
Not to be an a*s but, they don't "preboard" people who needs more time, babies, wheelchair, 1k's GS, 1p's. They actually let them "board" don't they?

*scratches head*
I also find the term rather odd.
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Old Mar 31, 2011, 12:35 am
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Originally Posted by JohnnyJet
And UA has been boarding using "WiMA" for many years now...with the exception of tweaks to elite boarding it seems like it's been at least 10 to 12 years and longer if you count Shuttle.
WILMA was first practiced at Shuttle for a time, went away, and was rolled out systemwide in October 2005.
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