Ex Swampy On United Airlines

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I'm headed out of Swampy Friday, tomorrow, for NRT & SEA. Just wondering, before I put the luggage straps on and the plastic cable ties, is there a pre-check-in open baggage inspection?

There was a few years ago, how about not?

Thanks.

Mac

[QED]

No they've scrapped it now, never really saw the point myself other than slowing everyone down.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

No they've scrapped it now, never really saw the point myself other than slowing everyone down.

Well, good, and you're correct, didn't do much good.

I've been using EVA the last couple of U.S. trips but UA was able to undercut EVA's price by almost baht 10,000 so I decided to bite the bullet and put up with older and wider stews. NWA did this the same to me a few years back, undercut China Air. NWA is good for me as they go right into PDX which is where I'm headed.

Back in a month.

Mac

[Thanyaburi Mac]

No they've scrapped it now, never really saw the point myself other than slowing everyone down.

Well, good, and you're correct, didn't do much good.

I've been using EVA the last couple of U.S. trips but UA was able to undercut EVA's price by almost baht 10,000 so I decided to bite the bullet and put up with older and wider stews. NWA did this the same to me a few years back, undercut China Air. NWA is good for me as they go right into PDX which is where I'm headed.

Back in a month.

Mac

Oh, yes, forgot.

That 50 pound limit per bag is sure a pain, this will be my first trip under that relatively new rule. Might have a kilo or two over, hope not, the scale here at home may not be the most accurate.

Mac

[Fatfrank]

be careful, airlines in the past would probably let you go if over a couple of kgs, however, nowadays check-in agents have been instructed to collect for every single kg over the baggage weight llimit.

[britmaveric]

Just throwin a extra foldup duffle bag - they give you any sh*te pull it out and shift some items into the new bag. You are allowed 2 bags so shant be an issue.

[klons]

No they've scrapped it now, never really saw the point myself other than slowing everyone down.

Well, good, and you're correct, didn't do much good.

I've been using EVA the last couple of U.S. trips but UA was able to undercut EVA's price by almost baht 10,000 so I decided to bite the bullet and put up with older and wider stews. NWA did this the same to me a few years back, undercut China Air. NWA is good for me as they go right into PDX which is where I'm headed.

Back in a month.

Mac

Oh, yes, forgot.

That 50 pound limit per bag is sure a pain, this will be my first trip under that relatively new rule. Might have a kilo or two over, hope not, the scale here at home may not be the most accurate.

Mac

If you have Silver Elite status with NWA/Delta you can pack 70 pounds per bag.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

be careful, airlines in the past would probably let you go if over a couple of kgs, however, nowadays check-in agents have been instructed to collect for every single kg over the baggage weight llimit.

FYI, I'm back in Oregon now for a month. But when I checked in at United the agent hardly looked at the weight for my two check bags, both of which were 2-3 pounds over the 50# ceiling. Not a problem!

However, United is charging $6 for a beer during the flight, I went dry.

Mac

[noahvail]

Just got back from BKK-Narita-LAX-ORD-PWM return. Used the yellow cable ties. No problems either way. Ok, old equipment, but got upgraded into premium economy or bulkhead every segment; don't know why, but I'm not complaining. Got the best price through UA by over 10K baht.

At PWM (Portland, Maine) they opened the cable ties to check on - a bottle of maple syrup! We all had a good laugh at that one, and they replaced the cable tie with another I gave them. All in all, much better service from UA and customs and immigration than I had thought. We'll see what happens next year lol

[bubba]

All flights to North America use the two bags and 50 pound limit rule. If you are a Star Gold member, UA ups that to three bags at a maximum of 70 pounds each.

UA (as well as TG's non-stop to LAX) do a complete carry on bag inspection at the gate. All carry ons are opened and inspected just after you enter the gate lounge.

And as for the "older and wider" FAs that someone mentioned, I don't mind that a bit. Sure, they might not be as slim and young as many of the Asian airlines, but I am more interested in service rather than eye candy on a long flight. On the last flight I took to the USA on UA, I found the FAs provided very professional service in business class. UA were flying the newly outfitted business class on my segments, and the lay flat seats were very good. Also, UA now have USB connections in business class, so you can even control and keep your iPhone/iPod charged, while watching your own movies on their 15" display. That was sort of a surprise.

[wpcoe]

And, I just learned that effective 01 August 2009, alcohol is once again free on intra-Asia and trans-Pacific flights in UA Economy class. Less than a year ago, they had started charging US$6 in these markets, but "for competitive reasons' have gone back to complimentary drinks. (But, they still charge for drinks domestically and trans-Atlantic, I believe.)

[Thanyaburi Mac]

And, I just learned that effective 01 August 2009, alcohol is once again free on intra-Asia and trans-Pacific flights in UA Economy class. Less than a year ago, they had started charging US$6 in these markets, but "for competitive reasons' have gone back to complimentary drinks. (But, they still charge for drinks domestically and trans-Atlantic, I believe.)

Well, good, guess they were reading my mind! ETD 18 August, PDX-NRT-BKK, and Klong 10.

Now if they just had pumpkin pie, life would be fine. FYI, got one yesterday, an 8 incher, for $2.00. Regular $4.39 which is still OK.

Mac