Ual New Boarding Algorithm

[Art at ISP]

I read a bit in USA Today that UAL was changing their boarding method. It didn't make much sense, but perhaps someone here can enlighten me. Are they still using zones? Will Premiers etc. still be boarding in Zone 1 or Group 1?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

My best to you all...

 

[767jetz]

I read a bit in USA Today that UAL was changing their boarding method. It didn't make much sense, but perhaps someone here can enlighten me. Are they still using zones? Will Premiers etc. still be boarding in Zone 1 or Group 1?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

My best to you all...

[post="307059"][/post]​

Art, I think the idea is to get people out of the aisles as fast as possible to speed up the boarding process. Windows first, then middles, then aisles.

My guess is that F/C, Premiers, and pax needing assistance will still get priority.

I'll see what I can find out.

767jetz

 

[boxer]

----------------------------------------------------
New Economy Boarding Process Launches Sept. 29
----------------------------------------------------
A new boarding process that United launches Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. (MT) could prove that simple procedural changes are the best way to improve reliability and customer satisfaction performance.

Economy customers with window seats get priority seating over aisle- and middle-seat customers. Boarding by row is no longer the standard. Customer Service tests show that this approach could reduce boarding times, depending on aircraft type, by four to five minutes -- compared to the current board-by- row process.

With the new process, seating area 2 includes window seats; seating area 3 middle seats; and seating area 4 aisle seats. Seating area 1 is still designated for Mileage Plus Premier members. The current preboard process for United First and Business customers and for customers needing extra time still applies.

The enhanced boarding process applies to all United, Ted and United Express aircraft.

"This new policy is geared to improve boarding times, which greatly affect our on-time performance," says Penny Thomas, director-Customer Service Planning. "Additionally, it will affect cost. The benefits of these boarding changes are clear. If United reduces slow boarding delays caused, for example, by window passengers not having direct seat access by just four minutes, we could save 1 million dollars annually."

Customers booked in the same PNR and who check in together will have the same seating areas on their boarding passes. In effect, CSRs and flight attendants will no longer have to coordinate seating for families.

These changes are also expected to increase customer satisfaction, as aisle and middle-seat customers can remain seated during boarding.

 

[PHX-F/A]

Art, I think the idea is to get people out of the aisles as fast as possible to speed up the boarding process. Windows first, then middles, then aisles.

My guess is that F/C, Premiers, and pax needing assistance will still get priority.

I'll see what I can find out.

767jetz

[post="307067"][/post]​

We do this boarding procedure at HP. It works ok, but the Flight Attendants in the back have a hard time monitoring the cabin and stay in their zone. I'll leave the galley to check floor items and make sure the bins are arrange correctlym but I never seem to get more than 6 rows from the galley, then there is a passenger blocking me. You have to turn back or your trapped.

 

[Fly]

This isn't really NEW. This is exactly how we boarded Shuttle by United.

 

[Busdrvr]

This isn't really NEW. This is exactly how we boarded Shuttle by United.

[post="307266"][/post]​

Yeah, but didn't we sell that to US Airways? 😛

 

[coolflyingfool]

I just don't get it. How much time and money are they going to spend to come up with ways to board on airplane. I can't wait until every gate has the double jetways, then they can come up with a new boarding procedure. Just my thoughts......

 

[gatemech]

I have seen lines 100 long at the podium 45 minutes before boarding. A wide body parked at the gate. 90% of passengers have carry-on bags. And no CSR in site.

Most of the problem is time. I never noticed Shuttle flights boarding much faster. Now that we have electronic check-in lines have shrunk. I would bet if boarding started 5-10 minutes earlier on wide bodies and at least 5 minutes narrow body most of the problem would be gone. Granted sometimes on short turns it doesn't matter what you do.

Just my opinion

 

[Fly]

I'd love to know what the CSR's are typing back there.

Whenever I check in with a kiosk, it takes a few seconds and I have a seat. When I check in with them they type and type and type and type and type.....what is that about it? :huh:

You'll have a tough time getting the f/a's to voluntarily allow earlier boarding. Too much division between the agents and us. They've slammed the doors on us just about 1000 times too many times. Had one ask last week if they could early board, we said NO, so they sent them down anyway!!! (we got back at her though!!! )

 

[boxer]

I'd love to know what the CSR's are typing back there.

Whenever I check in with a kiosk, it takes a few seconds and I have a seat. When I check in with them they type and type and type and type and type.....what is that about it? :huh:

You'll have a tough time getting the f/a's to voluntarily allow earlier boarding. Too much division between the agents and us. They've slammed the doors on us just about 1000 times too many times. Had one ask last week if they could early board, we said NO, so they sent them down anyway!!! (we got back at her though!!! )

[post="307897"][/post]​

If Fly's post reflects the culture at UAL then nothing has changed in the last few years. Sad.