Just a rant.

I fly United from the UK to the US every month, and while I've otherwise always been happy with United, I'm really starting to get annoyed with them for one reason.

They always flash "Final Boarding!!" on the departures board for my flight from LHR to IAD. It ALWAYS goes straight from "Wait in Departures Lounge" to Final Boarding. The first few times, I ran to my gate, only to find that they were obviously not anywhere near the final boarding stage. So I spent the next several hours soaked in sweat. Now I know that I have plenty of time (although I still get nervous when it flashes), but I've talked to so many other passengers who have made the mad dash. They've included older people who couldn't walk very fast who just about killed themselves to make the flight.

Not that this would be enough to push my over to the dark side: British Airways. Someone should do a study of how they do business, as it would prove valuable in demonstrating how exactly not to run an airline.

Ann - have you spoken with anyone from United to see what the deal is? I know I'd be annoyed, too. Maybe there's some kind of time guideline they could give you so you wouldn't have to kill yourself.

But the guideline is the scheduled departure time, isn't it. They recommend that you check in 2 hours before departure of an international flight. I think it is documented on your ticket that they require you to be at the gate a half-hour before the flight.

You ought to contact United about this.

I agree with calling United and, in the end, it will undoubtedly come down to someone at the Heathrow facility who, for whatever reason, decides to put the "final boarding" message into effect.
But, good luck....my recent experience with several airlines leads me to believe that the answer "We don't know how that happened" is fast becoming THE ANSWER that reservationists, check-in desk personnel, gate personnel, etc., seem to think suffices and then they wonder WHY we get angry!

Ann - I fly from LHR every month with Air Canada ... and they do the SAME thing! They do it so they can board fast and push back on time. If an airline misses its slot at LHR, it can be delayed a LONG time!

I have access to the AC lounge, so I always check with the desk as to what time I should leave for the gate. Basically, of you are at the gate 20 mins before take-off time, you should be OK.

regards ...Ger

I'm just wondering... If you fly to the UK every month you must have elite status so don't you go into the Red Carpet lounge? And don't they call you when it's time for you to go to the gait? I would think that would alieviate your stress.

I do go to the Red Carpet lounge, but they're kind of inconsistent when it comes to announcing that flight. And you still get freaked out even though you know what time the flight is scheduled for when you see that "Final Boarding" thing flashing.

I haven't contacted United because it's something I never think about unless I'm actually traveling.

Have to say, thought, I'm loving elite status, since I now get free upgrades to premium economy (god forbid my company pay for business class). It's about the only good thing about traveling so much.