Too many elites - Not enough boarding groups
Mar 29, 2005, 3:48 pm
#1
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Too many elites - Not enough boarding groups
I was on a flight the other day when more than half of the plane had 'elite' status with UA. Boarding group 1 was awful. Does anyone else think 2Ps should be given their very own boarding group- #2? Then all others without 'elite' status could be assigned Groups 3 - 5. No offense to the premiers, but since every 1K was given the opportunity to gift 2P status - that status level is unfortunately not so 'elite' these days.
There will still be overhead space for all 'elites', but by separating the 'elites' into 2 zones it would greatly decrease the choas at the gate. In all fairness - no one seems to enforce the boarding zones anyway.
ps - I think premiers are great - I am dating one
There will still be overhead space for all 'elites', but by separating the 'elites' into 2 zones it would greatly decrease the choas at the gate. In all fairness - no one seems to enforce the boarding zones anyway.
ps - I think premiers are great - I am dating one
Mar 29, 2005, 3:54 pm
#2
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"Every" 1K wasn't able to or did gift 2P status. Some were if they flew over 125k miles...and even then there was an option to use the excess for themselves (don't remember the exact details). I think the flight you were on was an exception rather than the general rule. I have not noticed anything abnormal in that regard on any flight I've taken this year. I'm sure that almost every weekday UA has a few flights like that with an overpopulation of elites on board, but definitely not enough to warrant a policy change.
Let the 2P's have their fun too!
Let the 2P's have their fun too!
Mar 29, 2005, 4:01 pm
#3
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It gets worse at the end of the year. In December 2004 the gate agent for the LAX-IAD run announced that since 89 of the ~120 people on the flight were in seating 1, they were going to board by rows within the groups. I think it was a good call, and probably something that needs to be done on a lot of 2P/1P/1K heavy routes.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:01 pm
#4
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Originally Posted by SEA1K4EVR
Let the 2P's have their fun too!
Mar 29, 2005, 4:04 pm
#5
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Thank you for the correction about every 1K - I forgot there was the 125K mile requirement.
I guess SFO-SEA, SFO-LAX and SFO-DEN and vice versa are just generally 'elite-heavy'. The boarding process just seems to be a nightmare this year.
Again, no offense meant to 2Ps - they are absolutely helping keep UA in the air!! ^
I guess SFO-SEA, SFO-LAX and SFO-DEN and vice versa are just generally 'elite-heavy'. The boarding process just seems to be a nightmare this year.
Again, no offense meant to 2Ps - they are absolutely helping keep UA in the air!! ^
Mar 29, 2005, 4:06 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by auh2o
Agree. What UA really needs is to stop boarding First Class and Zone 1 at the same time!
)
Mar 29, 2005, 4:07 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by auh2o
Agree. What UA really needs is to stop boarding First Class and Zone 1 at the same time!
I usually see excellent enforcement of separation between premium cabins and group 1.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:12 pm
#8
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It's hit and miss. Some of them do a good job of separating and some don't. I get annoyed when they announce zone 1 and then 5 seconds later say zone 2 when there is a big line of zone 1 people and the zone 2ers are crowding the area and then move right in.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:16 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by GoAmtrak
When and where is this done? I usually see excellent enforcement of separation between premium cabins and group 1.
I usually see excellent enforcement of separation between premium cabins and group 1.I think we should remember though that the whole boarding area thing was not meant to reward or punish anyone. It was meant to speed boarding. Giving first class and UGS people priority makes sense I guess, but after that is should be by area only. It seems like the issue isn't seating, it is on board luggage storage. If they would address that a little better than they are, the area boarding thing might work better.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:20 pm
#10
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What I hate is when they announce, "We would like to welcome our First Class, Global Services, 100k mile fliers, Premier Executives, Premiers, Star Alliance Silver and Gold, US Chairman's and Chairman's Preferred, and all rows to board at this time." 
(generally a UX thing)
Why even spell them all out if it's going to be a free-for-all zoo boarding?
Actually, on most mainline flights I've had the past couple of years, it's been rare to board F at a different time from C or the elites, although I have heard them more often call for elites and THEN seating 1 (as if the GA is going to stare at a yellow BP for the elite level to differentiate it from the other zone 1 pax)
(generally a UX thing)Why even spell them all out if it's going to be a free-for-all zoo boarding?
Actually, on most mainline flights I've had the past couple of years, it's been rare to board F at a different time from C or the elites, although I have heard them more often call for elites and THEN seating 1 (as if the GA is going to stare at a yellow BP for the elite level to differentiate it from the other zone 1 pax)
Mar 29, 2005, 4:23 pm
#11
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This is a move that AA has rolled out earlier this year and I believe led to a more organized boarding.
At AA the F cabin boards first, then the 100k and 50k flyers, then Group 1 (only 25k flyers) and then the following groups.
Don't find Ok to downgrade 25k to Group 2, seems cheap, but it'd be nice to limit the size of Group 1 by an early-call of 100k and 50k flyers - no one would be upset.
At AA the F cabin boards first, then the 100k and 50k flyers, then Group 1 (only 25k flyers) and then the following groups.
Don't find Ok to downgrade 25k to Group 2, seems cheap, but it'd be nice to limit the size of Group 1 by an early-call of 100k and 50k flyers - no one would be upset.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:35 pm
#12
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Originally Posted by pb9997
This is a move that AA has rolled out earlier this year and I believe led to a more organized boarding.
At AA the F cabin boards first, then the 100k and 50k flyers, then Group 1 (only 25k flyers) and then the following groups.
Don't find Ok to downgrade 25k to Group 2, seems cheap, but it'd be nice to limit the size of Group 1 by an early-call of 100k and 50k flyers - no one would be upset.
At AA the F cabin boards first, then the 100k and 50k flyers, then Group 1 (only 25k flyers) and then the following groups.
Don't find Ok to downgrade 25k to Group 2, seems cheap, but it'd be nice to limit the size of Group 1 by an early-call of 100k and 50k flyers - no one would be upset.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:53 pm
#13
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Originally Posted by Motion122
I think it's time to write a letter to United Airlines regarding this issue. Perhaps if enough of us top elites write, UA will change the borading process to allow 1K and 1P to board ahead of 2P and GM's.
Last edited by EsquireFlyer; Mar 29, 2005 at 4:55 pm
Mar 29, 2005, 4:59 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by CollegeFlyer
Careful...once such a precedent is set, perhaps if enough GS members write, UA will change the boarding process to kick 1K and 1P to the back with the lowly 2Ps again.
Fact is Group 1 (UA and former AA) is absolutely a zoo - there's nothing Premier about boarding with everyone else but Aunt Ammie who gawks at the frantic Group1 elite pax all of them elbowing themselves to make their way to the plane.
Mar 29, 2005, 4:59 pm
#15
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Originally Posted by CollegeFlyer
Careful...once such a precedent is set, perhaps if enough GS members write, UA will change the boarding process to kick 1K and 1P to the back with the lowly 2Ps again.