Flying United Airlines in 2006

April 29, 2006 - I flew United last week. When I bought my ticket online the web site offered me a discount to use their new parking lot at the airport. The lot looked like one of those express pick up rental car places. You back in to the spaces. There is a roof over the back of the car. A luggage cart was waiting. Good thing, too because I did have a bag to check.

United's baggage handling is becoming legendary fast, careful and secure. Turns out I could check my bag right at the passenger center at the parking lot. Cool. The counter clerk was most helpful. Even asked me which rental car company I was using in my destination city. Turns out they can have my bag for me right at the rental car place. Skipping the baggage claim will save a lot of time.

The electric shuttle bus to the terminal was quick, quiet and no smelly fumes. Dropped us right at the door to the United terminal. Walked right in to the security checkpoint. Good thing too. The lines at the ticket counters were filling up. The new security scanners are great. Remember when we had to take our computers out of your carry-on bag? Not any more. Zips right through the chemical scanner and the CT scanner. No more taking your shoes off either. The magnetometers are so much better now.

My gate was pretty far out on the concourse. Not a problem, there were two of those electric passenger trams. The seats were full so I just stood on the back platform. Those things are great. I am getting a little older so it's nice to save steps where I can.

All these improvements save a lot of time. I had a few extra minutes at the gate. Logged on the Internet to check my email. Even the video mail downloaded quickly. They've had wifi networks in airports for years now but the new United network is great. Full coverage from parking lot to plane to parking lot. That's great since I wanted to send a video mail to my wife from the shuttle bus this morning. My phone works much faster on the Wifi network rather than the cell network. So much for 3G.

The biggest difference with United these days are the planes. This one had just been retrofitted. The seats are much wider with great legroom. The entertainment system in the seatback was great. Lots of stuff I like. No video games or that so-called music the kids are listening to these days. Music from the 70s to the 90s, and some current stuff. I guess I didn't need to bring my player with me. Of course there's satellite TV.

Half way through the flight I realized I had forgotten to leave a FedEx envelope out for pick up. I had it all ready to go but left it on the kitchen table. I knew my wife wasn't home so I couldn't ask her to put it out for the pick up. This was a job for Rosie, our new home robot. Yes, I'm an early adopter, but it's just a cool technology. Especially when you need to get those documents in the FedEx. So I decided to test the in-flight bandwidth. Normally, I'd hope to have enough juice left in my laptop batteries. (Still waiting for fuel cells prices to come down.) This plane had regular power outlets. Great! I was able to robot in with out much difficulty. It worked! I could supervise Rosie from my browser at 30,000 ft. It took about 30 minutes but I was able to get Rosie to put the envelope outside the front door. Whew! I'll make the 2pm pickup.

The plane landed on time. United even emails your rental car company to tell them your plane has landed. If you are being picked up they'll email, page or IM your driver also. Walked right out of the terminal to the car rental garage. By the time I got there my checked bag was there. They popped it on a luggage cart and I was off to my car.

The return trip was equally hassle free. I don't mind paying a little more these days. The experience is so much better than the old cattle days. Besides, the productivity I can achieve in route more than makes up the difference in cost.

Sure it's fiction now but things have got to change in a big way if United is going to survive. They'll be smaller and if they don't find a way to increase the quality of the experience they'll be gone.