Elite line longer than the regular line
Apr 4, 2007, 6:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Programs: US1
Posts: 1,928
Elite line longer than the regular line
Well I flew out of PHX yesterday and I was shocked to see the first class line was much longer than the normal line.
When I got to the Security checkpoint for the A gates. The elite line there was WAY LONGER than the normal line.
That would tell me that US has way too many elites. Zones 1 and two were practically half the aircraft.
I have flown through PHX 16 times this year. Not one time have I gotten an upgrade to first class and I am CP.
T
When I got to the Security checkpoint for the A gates. The elite line there was WAY LONGER than the normal line.
That would tell me that US has way too many elites. Zones 1 and two were practically half the aircraft.
I have flown through PHX 16 times this year. Not one time have I gotten an upgrade to first class and I am CP.
T
Apr 4, 2007, 7:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1K, *G, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 185
That's what happens when US gives away Gold to everyone and their uncle, regardless of flight activity.
Apr 4, 2007, 8:13 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PIT
Programs: UAL 1K
Posts: 111
This is all too common these days. To travel as an elite in a hub city is virtually meaningless in 2007.
I think it is time to separate F passengers from elites. Paying for F and having to wade through every Tom, Dick, and Grandma who "made" elite last year is rather grating.
I think it is time to separate F passengers from elites. Paying for F and having to wade through every Tom, Dick, and Grandma who "made" elite last year is rather grating.
Apr 4, 2007, 8:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: USAir Gold, Delta Slvr, *Wood Plat
Posts: 68
While I agree that it's a mess trying to upgrade in and out of Phoenix, I challenge this idea that the first class line is long. It LOOKS long, in a kind of Disneyland way. The regular line goes through several twists and turns that are not visible when you first approach the lines. Was there this morning (pre7am) and it was a breeze.
Apr 4, 2007, 9:36 pm
#5
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Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
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No it was definately longer. I watched a few people who got in line after me and got out of security before me as they were already sitting at the gate waiting to board. It also does not explain why the first class/elite line was so much longer either.
Looks like the buying of flowers paid off for so many people last year. What a joke!
Looks like the buying of flowers paid off for so many people last year. What a joke!
While I agree that it's a mess trying to upgrade in and out of Phoenix, I challenge this idea that the first class line is long. It LOOKS long, in a kind of Disneyland way. The regular line goes through several twists and turns that are not visible when you first approach the lines. Was there this morning (pre7am) and it was a breeze.
Apr 4, 2007, 10:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
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On no less than two occasions this year (both in London), the premium line was significantly longer than the regular line. This is also (at least the couple of times I've originated in PHX or PIT or CLT this year) a pretty standard feature of the hubs during the Monday and Thurs/Friday pushes.
Apr 4, 2007, 10:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ZRH
Posts: 659
I often have been saved by the preferred security line in CLT--if not, depending on the time of day, I'll often divert to checkpoint A.
Interesting note--during the second Friday of the Shares migraster, the preferred check-in line was not open as of 8am in CLT--it had apparently been closed, opened briefly, and then shut down again due to the uselessness of the kiosks.
PHL, however--wow--in my two times departing there, the "preferred" security line ended up being noticeably longer than the normal security line.
Thankfully, had checked in online, so did not have to deal with airport check-in there.
Interesting note--during the second Friday of the Shares migraster, the preferred check-in line was not open as of 8am in CLT--it had apparently been closed, opened briefly, and then shut down again due to the uselessness of the kiosks.
PHL, however--wow--in my two times departing there, the "preferred" security line ended up being noticeably longer than the normal security line.
Thankfully, had checked in online, so did not have to deal with airport check-in there.
Apr 4, 2007, 11:09 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AA Gold, *wood Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 928
Searches find complaints about the frequent issuances but now how to get it. Acquiring credit card I'm assuming correct? tia
Apr 5, 2007, 7:41 am
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 1,821
This is all too common these days. To travel as an elite in a hub city is virtually meaningless in 2007.
I think it is time to separate F passengers from elites. Paying for F and having to wade through every Tom, Dick, and Grandma who "made" elite last year is rather grating.
I think it is time to separate F passengers from elites. Paying for F and having to wade through every Tom, Dick, and Grandma who "made" elite last year is rather grating.
Actually, i think its the paid F who slow it down. Mrs Howell with her big hat on the way to Palm Beach who needs 25 minutes at the counter to check Fifi in, then has 10 pounds of jewelry to unload at the screening.
What they really need are lines for "Have a clue" and "Clueless"
Apr 5, 2007, 8:23 am
#10
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Programs: US1
Posts: 1,928
People who have paid F should be able to use the line no matter what IMO. Why would anyone want to pay F on US is beyond me anyhow. Pay F on AA or UA and you will surely get a better product. People who buy flowers to get status is another thing. But sandcastle thinks other wise.
Actually, i think its the paid F who slow it down. Mrs Howell with her big hat on the way to Palm Beach who needs 25 minutes at the counter to check Fifi in, then has 10 pounds of jewelry to unload at the screening.
What they really need are lines for "Have a clue" and "Clueless"
What they really need are lines for "Have a clue" and "Clueless"
Apr 5, 2007, 8:26 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
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The second set of flights, there was no availability to even BUY F three days out. Complete incompetence, especially if they've got upgraders.
Apr 5, 2007, 8:46 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
That's strange. I've done several IAD-PHX recently, and the upgrades have always come at the window. It's the 7:15am nonstop, though. I get to Dulles shortly after 5am when they open and simply breeze through at the dedicated FC counter for PHX flights.
Apr 5, 2007, 8:54 am
#13
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Apr 5, 2007, 9:45 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Commuting around the mid-atlantic and rust-belt on any number of RJs
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I got a script based drone response in return.......
Apr 5, 2007, 9:57 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K (2MM); AA LT Gold (1.9 MM); SQ; WN; DL; "Bonvoy Ambassador""
Posts: 398
Aside from the equity issues here, I try to assess the chances of making it through quicker on the non-status line: how much shorter is it? do the people in it look like seasoned travelers who won't hold up the line (arbtirary, I know)? Does the elite line include a lot a families who may not make it through quickly?