I'm not entirely sure if the 1P line is the same as the 1K line, but:

Press 2
Enter MP number
State your name
Press 1 for domestic or 2 for int'l

I agree that if you don't put your MP number in, you get routed to the general res CSRs, some of whom are terrible. Of course, I've had more bad CSRs since the robot came along than I ever had with the old system.

Thanks, everyone. I actually called to try these suggestions (at a nice, calm moment) and not surprisingly, avoiding the 2P robot is different than the 1P or 1K. For the record, dcgator's 0-pause-0-pause-0 is the fastest way around, but it dumps you into the general reservations number.

Aargh. Thanks for the suggestions!

Agreed. To call UA's automated call-handling system a robot is an insult to robots all over the world. ;) (Apologies to John Cleese and Jamie Lee Curtis for paraphrasing their classic line.)

Aloha
--jt

In my experience if I call the 1K international number with the 313 area code, there is no robot, and a real life human answers - usually with little or no wait. If you call the international number with the 312 area code, then sad to say these calls are now answered by the call center in India. Now, if only I had a similar number to handle domestic USA reservations...

UA should give us a way to quickly and directly speak to an agent. The current system is rubbish and a big waste of time. You wil spend many wasted minutes being asked unnecessary questions and not given the answers you need by the HAL like system.

What is the problem with the robot?
 

I call the 1P number, say "reservations" then, quickly rab off my MP#, say my name, then "Yes" for domestic, "No" for international, and I am quickly helped by a CSR who has all my itiniraries on screen, ready to change my plans for the 32nd time...

What is the problem? The whole process from dialing to getting a human is about 18 seconds, and is more efficient for both of us.

I agree with what Derek said.

And you don't get transferred to the general UA Reservations line, which is what happens if you don't enter your MP#, showing that you are an UA elite.

Item 2: Phone response based on inputted information is really not that complicated. This is merely based on a programmed response. Therefore, this is a computer, not a Robot.

Item 3: The phone system is not mechanical and certainly is not controlled by a closed loop servo system or actuated by a computer controlled drive system or pneumatics or even hydraulics.


Therefore, I conclude the UA Phone system is NOT a Robot but a sniviling, whiny Computer poindexter thingy. So there. :p

Don't forget Sir Issac Asimov and his 3 Laws of Robotics:

1: A robot may not harm a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2: A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3: A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

From what I have heard, the UA Phone System DOES NOT obey rule #2 so again, THIS IS NOT A ROBOT.

Thank you all for your time in this matter and hopefully, we have all come to the conclusion the phone system is a psycho computer named HAL.

:D

I'm disappointed in you RD - Every "robot" is doing it's job based on programmed response, unless you have an AI that the world doesn't know about. ;)

Most "robots" in the industrial world don't even really respond, but follow a pre-defined set of actions. (OK, there tend to be limit switch type inputs to ensure correct movement and these are technically inputs) The only complicated part of a multi link robotic arm is calculating and coordinating the movements of several actuators, etc to make the respose what you want. From a high level, its exactly the same thing.

You're not the only one here who's programmed/worked with robots.

I will agree with you, that with no moving parts, it's hard to call it a robot.

Alright, alright, alright, I am reaching here. However, how many times has people said, Agent and the Hal just does not listen? Many! :mad: Therefore as per Sir Issac Asimov's rule number 2, the phone system cannot be a Robot. Besides, any association with Hal, the phone system from Whackoland would make any Robot a little defensive.

:D

Forgive me if it has already been covered here, but...

Call the premier line,
When asked if calling for flight times or reservations, state 'reservations',
When asked for MP #, give it and confirm your name when asked
When asked if new or existing reservation, say 'agent'

Robot will say, okay I'll transfer you. But first, is this new reservation for international or domestic travel?

answer, and... voila.

You don't even need to say agent - just answer his questions and you'll get transferred right away. Perhaps there's a different number of prompts for 2P and 1P, but I am not asked if it is a new or existing record, the only question after identifying me is 'is this regarding domestic travel within the 50 States'? I just timed myself and it was 32 seconds from start to finish, and I had to repeat 'No' once because I sometimes mumble... (I have to occasionally repeat myself with biological CSRs as well).

No, it just means it's not a Asimovian robot.

The robot, in not responding to 'Agent' is not thinking for itself and ignoring the command (that is what Rule 2 was about I think), he either cannot hear you correctly, is not programmed to respond to that command (he can be a robot and still not respond to, say, 'upgrade me without a SWU') or is programmed, implicitely, to ignore the first 7 to 10 'Agent' commands...

One other definition is
"A person who works mechanically without original thought, especially one who responds automatically to the commands of others."

So, though despite their wonderful service throughout the flight, the FAs sometimes turn into robots during the deplaning process... ba-bye, thank you, ba-bye, thank you, ba-bye...

If only I could change my seat assignment on united.com, 99% of my calls to the 1K number would be unneccessary.