United not boarding families first anymore

[Anonymous]

so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

[Anonymous]

What's the rationale for this decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

You didn't know that? Of course they do! Business travelers don't spend time finding cheap fares and they travel a heck of a lot more than families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

Huh? I never even understood families boarding first when the seats are assigned. With my 4 kids we always tend to wait until the last mintue since the less time on the plane is a bonus in our book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

Business travelers do probably give them more profit. If you fly Monday-Friday, particularly in the mornings or evening, you will see far more business travelers than families. And many of those business travelers are paying full fare or close to it (versus the family that bargain shops for their tickets). That being said, I am sad to hear UAL isn't doing the families first boarding -We used to take advantage of that, get our car seat strapped in, etc., without the stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

Business travelers do probably give them more profit. If you fly Monday-Friday, particularly in the mornings or evening, you will see far more business travelers than families. And many of those business travelers are paying full fare or close to it (versus the family that bargain shops for their tickets). That being said, I am sad to hear UAL isn't doing the families first boarding -We used to take advantage of that, get our car seat strapped in, etc., without the stress.

The 1% most frequent fliers make up about 25% of airlines' profits. This is who they are interested in serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

Huh? I never even understood families boarding first when the seats are assigned. With my 4 kids we always tend to wait until the last mintue since the less time on the plane is a bonus in our book.

I like having an extra couple minutes to install the seat, and also not having to either hold my writhing toddler or keep her from running into people while we wait for everyone ahead of us to get into their seats. Once we're no longer hauling the car seat, we'll be the last to board!

I loved traveling United for business - I was so loyal to them. Once I had a kid though, we switched to Virgin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:so they really want to stop serving families all together? aren't they the ones who banned strollers over 20lbs from gate checking?

I didn't know business travelers gave them more profit than families...

Huh? I never even understood families boarding first when the seats are assigned. With my 4 kids we always tend to wait until the last mintue since the less time on the plane is a bonus in our book.

I like having an extra couple minutes to install the seat, and also not having to either hold my writhing toddler or keep her from running into people while we wait for everyone ahead of us to get into their seats. Once we're no longer hauling the car seat, we'll be the last to board!

I loved traveling United for business - I was so loyal to them. Once I had a kid though, we switched to Virgin.

Thank you for installing your car seat on a plane. I don't know you, but you are my newest hero.

[Anonymous]

There have been lots of changes at United since they merged with Continental.

[Anonymous]

seems like a bad decision by United that ultimately will have an effect on their puctuality metrics.

it's sort of like deciding to charge people to check bags after years of training them to do so. now everyone struggles to bring their frikking bags as carryons and I think flights are departing later than before.

[Anonymous]

I agree PP. they are also overbooking and even high mileage frequent flyers are getting bumped.

[Anonymous]

Other airlines stopped doing families first long ago. Honestly I didn't realize anyone still did. I agree its a shame but its been years since some other airlines stopped doing this.

[Anonymous]

It seems to come from the bottom line, in addition to people becoming obnoxious once they have the "entitled" bug!

[Anonymous]

Sounds like families have the entitled bug.
On another note, do you think those of us traveling without kids are happy to see your Kids boarding? You might consider focusing on being gracious to others who are stuck on a plane with your little darlings rather than think about assumption that you should receive special treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like families have the entitled bug.
On another note, do you think those of us traveling without kids are happy to see your Kids boarding? You might consider focusing on being gracious to others who are stuck on a plane with your little darlings rather than think about assumption that you should receive special treatment.

I'll keep my mouth shut as long as you stop your bitching when it takes my family a little longer to get settled into our seats.

Gracious behavior should go both ways.