Not if they're with small children and hauling a changing bag. :D

or a UGS agent will make an announcement for Mr. Wimpypipsqueak to contact her at the door as she holds back the Y masses. ^

Any embarrassment was overcome by the knowledge that I would make my connection.

I didn't mean to be discounting or disregarding your position at all in my reply--I very much respect your vigilance for other people's needs.

I was just saying that as a naturally born worry-wort, I do my best not to borrow other people's worries, in favor of the policy that they can do their own worrying. :)

Again--I appreciate and understand your perspective, and didn't mean anything else by my reply.

I think the people who replied to this somehow misinterpreted it as referring to deboarding rather than boarding.

But as an F/C pax, isn't sitting in your reclined seat sipping a plastic cup of bubbly and watching the March of Steerage one of your benefits?

I can identify with everything you say except for this part. Letting people cut in line is one of my most hated things. Now, if someone limped in on crutches with a huge suitcase, that's one thing.

But in terms of pax whose flights are leaving so soon that they might miss it it's UA's job to call them to the front of the line if necessary (and also partly their own fault for being late to the airport). I've seen staff make the judgment call when necessary, and I don't think an elite should play "big brother" and make that call to allow some GMs to jump ahead of other GMs.

Never! Not incl I earned those miles to upgrade by flying to/from Denver, or just flying! Then buying a B fare or something fo I can fly intl C and upgrade...its playing the game.

re: feeling guilty in F
 

for a second :D

Yeah..the only problem with being better than everyone else is that people tend to assume you're pretentious. ;)

I disagree, The only problem with having a better seat is thinking that your better than everyone else.

The only thing I think while sitting there is:
"Thasss right! Who's upgrade cleared this time suckaaas?!!" ;)

I agree here. I have used GM check in because during the weekends, this airport can be a mess!

While I commend your general concern for other travellers before yourself, Mike (would be nice if more were the same), I must admit that I'd prolly go right to the Premier line.

Only til the warmed nuts come.

MIKE - this is the sort of attitude that will keep you a lowly 2p!

I remember when I walked up to the Premier line at IAD for the first time - I was so excited. Not that there was any GM line to speak of but I was now PREMIER! Turns out that the way they do it at IAD is UGS and 1k in one line and 1p and 2p in another. Both lines are served by the same agents, but of course, all the UGS and 1k go before any 1p or 2p. Watching the GM line the wait was maybe 5 minutes. My wait was at least 15. The point here is ... well I don't see any point here. If you've got 'em smoke 'em? Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose? Just get in the damn Premier line!

Regarding SJC in particular - having a bit of experience there, I can tell you that they just don't seem to care if people miss their flights or not. Even though it makes more work for them, and even though it happens day after day, they just don't care. TA's, TSA's, GA's, they just don't care. Go figure.

I don't feel guilty at all. I've placed all my travel with UA, have worked hard to maintain status, and they owe me something. Premier checkin is one of those perks, as is being able to board in the first group. That's the way it works.

I've also noticed that the people in the Premier checkin line tend to get their task accomplished very quickly. This means that even if there is only one person working two lines, the person can help a Premier flyer very quickly and then move back to the other line.

I only use the line when the checkin machine is broken or when I'm travelling Intl. Although others have reported being able to checkin for Intl at the machine I have yet to make it work - I always get the "please see an agent" message. Any business I have to do - standby list, etc. is better accomplished in the RCC.