United airlines questions

[LOLA2]

We were originally flying with West Jet and all the flights were changed to connecting flights months ago. We decided to get a refund and book with a different airline. I booked based on flight time and non stop flights - did not really care what airline at time - we have only ever flew Southwest and never had any issues. So we booked on United but nervous now upon hearing very bad reviews. The two things we are worried about the most are: they do a boarding procedure where elite class and credit card holders go first, then people with window seats, then middle seats, then aisle seats. So if I have an aisle seat and my son has a middle seat he boards before me? I read a review from a lady that said they made her board and had her 8 year old wait in terminal until his turn. This makes me nervous!! I can't understand how they can separate families during boarding and am worried my son would freak out - he is 13 but has ADHD/Aspergers and sometimes he gets bad anxiety.

Another question I have is about our carryon. I have also heard that if you are in boarding groups 4 or 5 that there is a chance the overheads will not have room for your carry on. The whole reason we have a carry-on is so all our camera equipment does not get damaged or stolen if checked. We have it in a hard sided rolling luggage that we bought specifically for this flight with correct dimensions. Now I am wondering if we should pay extra for early boarding almost $60 per person. We already paid extra for economy plus when buying tickets originally but that does not help loading sooner. Geez things were so much easier on Southwest!!! Plus I have heard this line has delayed flights and cancelled flights all the time. We are getting into Vancouver two days early but you never know. When Southwest cancelled our flight last October due to the tower fire in Chicago they could not re-book us for 6 days - we had to jump in our van and drive down missing 2 days of vacation. This has me more worried though since this is a cruise.

Any information you can share about United Airlines would be great. We are leaving out of O'Hare Saturday and flying into Vancouver.

 

[bcwife76]

Ok I'm not sure about the boarding order but people in window seats, etc do no not board first. It's class only.
We flew on United (first time) last year out of Vancouver. We went to San Francisco, overnighted and then flew to Cancun the next day. Took the same route home. You board in groups that are numbered, think we were in group 4 each time. Our entire family was always in the same boarding group number so don't worry about being split up because we were not. Don't worry about flying with United, we were happy with them. Would choose them over Air Canada in a heartbeat!!!

 

[gEar up]

You can board with the highest boarding number in your group.
If you're worried about camera equipment, bring a couple Smaller bags, like a reasonable sized backpack, (not the kind you hike the for a week in the outback, but the type your kids wear to school) they can easily fit under your seat, and count as your personal item.
When you booked the flight, if it was on United.com, you should have seen the on time percentage for that flight, that would give you an idea of its reliability. Even then you can always check your date and flight number to see its reliability, and on board amenities, like if there will be buy on board meals, inflight seat back entertainment, streaming movies or wifi. If there's srreaming movies, make sure to download the United app on your device to be able to access the free streaming movies.
I've never seen them separate children from their parents, but I've also not flown every individual flight in their existence. Quite the opposite, I've seen them be overly accommodating to families, especially if the family has a positive countenance.
Elites, such as Global Services, 1k and first class will be in group 1. They will most likely be in the front of the plane. As long as you're not at the end of boarding group 4 or 5, you'll have overhead room. Econ plus is usually in group 3.
If the kids are interested, don't be shy to ask the flight attendant during boarding if they could see the cockpit. Unless there's a maintenance person working on something, they'll be able to bring you forward.
Make sure to get to the airport 2 hours ahead, since it's an international flight, and don't forget your passports.

 

[jack87891]

i'll try and help as I fly United regularly. United does have a boarding procedure that goes by zones (1-5). Your ticket will note which zone you have. Frequent fliers and elite status will typically have zone 1 or 2. if you and your child have different zone numbers, they will typically let you board together. i've never seen them separate children from their parents.

if the flight is mostly full, they will probably announce that zone 5 can gate check your carryon for free. sometimes they do this in anticipation but the bins don't fill up. i would suggest taking the carry on onto the plane and then check it if there are not bins to store it. if you get the United app, you can actually check the seat map to see how full the flight is. Again, even if it is full and you are boarding in zone 5, you may have overhead storage available. If it had to be checked, it would still probably be ok. I would save the money.

As for flight delays, cancellations etc, i would not be too worried. if there is bad weather, then all airlines will be affected. If there is a delay or problem, United will work to get you there, either on alternative flights or a different airline. they have enough flights and options i can't imagine you running into a situation like you did with Southwest. If it got really bad to Vancouver, you could have them fly you to Seattle and then take a train in. With 2 days to spare, you will have no problems.

i know we anticipate the worst when it feels outside of our control, but i'm pretty sure you'll be just fine with United. They are not perfect but i've flown about 800k miles with them and will continue to use them for both business and cruise travel.
enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[nobellybutton]

I fly United frequently as well and I have several girlfriends who are flight attendants and never have I been made to feel worried about me boarding without my children. And yes it's by zone and I try to bring smaller bags as PP said because the overhead bins are usually pretty packed if your the last zone to board.

 

[MelSpees]

Question for you frequent United flyers: If you have to gate-check a carry-on because there is no room left, do you have to pay for the bag? I would think not, as you're given a free carry-on and it's not your fault that there's no room left. Just wondering.

 

[shoes99]

I thought economy plus and united credit card holders get boarding group 2 after first class and
elite flyers. I have never had any problems getting overhead space on United. United is fine and they
will not separate you from your child when boarding.

 

[adamki]

I'm not a huge fan of United, but I don't think you'll have issues ...

They will not separate you from your children. The system should put you all in the same group number. If this doesn't happen for some reason, then you should have no problem boarding your whole group with the *lowest* group number. I do this when I have a group with separate reservations and simply put the boarding pass with the lowest group number on the top of the stack that I hand to the gate agent when boarding. Never had a problem (source: the definitive, IMHO, guide to United boarding on flyertalk; the include the following note: "If you’re traveling with a companion and one of you has a higher boarding status, you both may board with the earlier group.").

Paying United for "Premire Access" may or may not help you with the carry-on issue. The problem is that if the flight has a large number of United 1K and Platinum elite members, then you will be competing with them for overhead space. This wouldn't be much of an issue if you were sitting further back, but you've paid for Economy Plus which is where the elite members will be sitting as well. That said, more often than not, they find a place for all of the carry-on bags.

My advice would be to make sure that someone in your party has a window seat. That way, you will be in group 3 of the WilMA process (window, middle, aisle).

 

[LOLA2]

Thanks for all the replies!!!! They are all so full of great info and have calmed my nerves. I am thinking now since my husband has a window seat (my daughter middle next to him and my son and I middle and aisle 6 rows up from them) we will be in group 3 or at least my husband will be and we can board together. I will just tell my husband that if he sees the overhead bin full right away to maybe not waste time and go check in back, also to have a collapsible bag that he can put in suitcase just in case he needs to grab his camera stuff out. Which is a lot - going to Alaska so of coarse =) I really appreciate all the quick responses. I did not know you could check how reliable a certain flight was to get in on time. Where do you see that? I am going to go look at my reservation and see if there is a link.

Thanks sooooooo much. I can't believe Alaska is in the 70s right now - I may need to re-pack

 

[adamki]

I did not know you could check how reliable a certain flight was to get in on time. Where do you see that?

I use flightaware.com. If you sign up for a (free) account, it will give you extended data on arrival times.

Edited to add: I've got a subscription service with additional information. For all United flights between ORD and YVR over the last two months: 75% on time; when delayed, the average delay is about 30 minutes; the maximum delay was 3 hours 22 minutes; zero cancellations.

 

[bumbershoot]

I read a review from a lady that said they made her board and had her 8 year old wait in terminal until his turn.

She's nutty for having followed this instruction; that's on her.

I've asked more than once about the different zones, and each time (at different airports) I have been told that we can board together and at the *earlier* boarding time. One time they even announced it proactively, that families can stay together.

When Southwest cancelled our flight last October due to the tower fire in Chicago they could not re-book us for 6 days

Did you by chance wait for them to call/rebook, or were you doing it the instant you heard about the problem? If ou waited, it generally goes better if you call them immediately. DH was flying from Dallas to Seattle during the huge ice storm two Decembers ago, and if he had waited for American to rebook him he would probably still be there LOL. We were more on top of things than their computers were, that's for sure.

The whole reason we have a carry-on is so all our camera equipment does not get damaged or stolen if checked.

If it's camera equipment, is it actually filling the entire carryon size bag? Or multiple? If you can, move it to bags that can go under the seat. Or have those bags available if such a thing happens. Quickly move it over.

Ok I'm not sure about the boarding order but people in window seats, etc do no not board first. It's class only.

I have absolutely been on United flights where boarding was done like that.

The system should put you all in the same group number.

I have been on flights where they were boarding by what sort of seat you had, and families were NOT in the same number.


But you just ask and you board together, at whatever point the gate person tells you.

 

[nobellybutton]

Question for you frequent United flyers: If you have to gate-check a carry-on because there is no room left, do you have to pay for the bag? I would think not, as you're given a free carry-on and it's not your fault that there's no room left. Just wondering.

Nope it's complimentary it happened once for me and I was fine took out my camera and sent it in its way which felt great just traveling with my purse.

 

[MelSpees]

Nope it's complimentary it happened once for me and I was fine took out my camera and sent it in its way which felt great just traveling with my purse.

Thanks! I really thought it should be.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks sooooooo much. I can't believe Alaska is in the 70s right now - I may need to re-pack

Wait 15 minutes and the weather will change on you.

 

[MunFam]

Regarding the camera equipment getting gate checked. Costco carries awesome bags that are almost the same size as rollaboards but are made specifically to go under the seats. They count as a personal item. I fly with that... and put it in overhead, unless its full, then it goes under the seat.

http://www.amazon.com/Ciao-Rolling-Carry-Under-Seat/dp/B00M9GGCCI

 

[Dug720]

Thanks sooooooo much. I can't believe Alaska is in the 70s right now - I may need to re-pack

Alaska does not necessarily equal freezing. We had gorgeous weather at the end of July last year - they even opened up the retractable roof Holland America has over one of the pools more days than not.

 

[mhconley]

I've been flying United for close to 20 years. They board by boarding group. The order was recently changed to window-middle-aisle.

United's new "simplified" boarding order is:

• Preboarding - Customers with disabilities, Global Services and uniformed members of the US military
• Boarding Group 1 - First & Business Class, Premier 1K & Platinum
• Boarding Group 2 - Premier Gold & Silver, Star Gold, MileagePlus Presidential Plus & Club cardholders, MileagePlus Explorer & Awards cardholders and those who purchased Premier Access
• Boarding Group 3 - Window Seats
• Boarding Group 4 - Middle Seats
• Boarding Group 5 - Aisle Seats

A group or family can board with the earliest group holder. I.e., if one person has an window seat you can all board with group 3 or if one person is a premier platinum you can all board with group 1.

Martin

 

[Flhokie]

As others have said, have smaller bags available for valuables in case of a last minute gate check of your suitcase (no charge for the checked bag). They'll often ask for volunteers to check in advance. If you have a late boarding zone you can still take your chances and wait until you board---enough people may not have had luggage for the overhead or may have checked in advance that you might be ok (worst case, you get the valuables into the smaller bags & check the suitcase). I believe you mentioned that your carryon suitcase is hard sided. If so, make sure it meets all the size requirements for carry on. Unlike the soft sided ones there is no give and even 1/2 inch larger (especially in depth) may not fit in some bins.

If you have delays due to weather, United has a much broader network/more options than many airlines and if it is due to conditions within the airline's control (maintenance) United has interline agreements and could put you on another carrier if there were seats available (not an option with Southwest). If anything does happen, know your options and be proactive--start calling (even if you are in line for rebooking).

In any industry dependent on human service, experiences can vary greatly from one airport to another, one flight to another and even one gate to another. I fly weekly for work and have had good and bad experiences on every airline (bad customer service on my preferred airline recently, always late when I have flown Southwest and JetBlue, etc). None of them will ever be perfect.

 

[Ariel484]

I fly United a decent amount (prefer Southwest but United has more direct options from my airport) - I don't have kiddos so I can't speak to how boarding works with them, but I'd be shocked if they made families split up.

My beef with United is that pretty much every flight I book with them gets changed in some way - departure/arrival is delayed/moved up an hour. Okay, that's fine - that happens - but I've never gotten an email or a call alerting me to the change.* The first few times I found out when I happened to log in to check my reservation...now I know to check it frequently. So to the OP, make sure you check your flight times frequently before your trip!


*I've had Southwest flights change as well and they ALWAYS call - a REAL live person! - and email me about it if the change is more than 30 minutes. Very impressed by that.