Tag: united checkin
Update: How to quickly get through security at SFO Terminal 3 for your next United flight
by Captain G on Apr.20, 2009, under Airlines, Business Travel, Vacation
An update to my previous post regarding a quick way to get through SFO’s Terminal 3 TSA security lines (especially on Monday mornings), I would like to share some additional facts I learned today with our readers.
1. The TSA security line in SFO Terminal 3 located between the domestic and international terminals (near gate 74), which is all the way on the left side of the United checkin counters, is only open from 7AM to some time in the afternoon. So if you are really rushing to get on a flight and your gate is in the high 80s, you might be better off finding a United employee to escort you to the front of the normal security line. My recommended TSA checkpoint can be out of the way if you have to to run to the back of Terminal 3.
2. The SFO Terminal 3 TSA security line located between the domestic and international terminals is faster than (Fly) Clear. I have used Clear at SFO which I find somewhat inefficient. Since there are two main TSA security lines at Terminal 3 for United, one for Premier and another for regular travelers, Clear agents allow you to skip the United Premier line which has less TSA security screeners and X-Ray machines.
In summary, use my recommended TSA security checkpoint at SFO Terminal 3 when they are open from 7AM to some time in the afternoon. If you are on a 6AM United flight, you better have Clear or UAL status.
Always use online check-in (I learned it the hard way)
by Captain G on Feb.16, 2009, under Airlines
If you’re flying in the US, always check-in online as soon as you can.
Here are the reasons why:
- For Southwest, you can get a better seat and avoid boarding towards the end of the plane.
- For most carriers, you can pick an Exit row seat which is reserved for same day check-in if you don’t have status.
- As I have recently experienced on (ghetto) Delta, they actually give up your seat if you do not check-in 31 minutes before the actual flight. Delta is actually treating their Medallion Gold members this way, image when you do not have status.
Most airlines also have mobile sites that allows you to check-in via your phone. However most do not work too well. I actually tried to check-in via ghetto Delta’s online site and it failed me. The recent experience will definitely prompt a letter to management,
