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Originally Posted by countrynewsman
Well...I guess my question is: Why were Elite tags put on my bags in the first place?
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Window dressing? Perhaps it's because if one checks in for a Continental Express or Continental Connection flight they may be connecting to a mainline flight at the hub so tagging all eligible bags "Elite Access" is probably just SOP.
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Originally Posted by countrynewsman
EliteAccess Baggage Handling: EliteAccess tags will be placed on all Elite members' luggage when they check-in to ensure their baggage is among the first delivered to baggage claim. (Available on flights operated by Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines only.) (second emphasis mine)
How's that for "fine print!" Since neither of your flights was on a Continental mainline aircraft the "priority" tags essentially mean squat!
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I have a major problem with this explanation. The reservation was made on the Continental website on Continental flights. The two airplanes I few had the Continental logo. I was given Continental boarding passes that said "Elite Access" on the top. If it looks like Continental, waddles like Continental, quacks like Continental...it's Continental. I don't look online to see who they contract with. Maybe their bags are handled by U.S. Airways and their lavs dumped by Delta...but as far as I'm concerned, I flew Continental.
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All "express", "connection", etc. aircraft will carry the livery of their contractor but they are, in fact, operated by a different airline. ExpressJet used to be majority owned by Continental but that share was sold off several years ago. As far as booking on CO's website, the information on contract carriers is there. I reproduced a booking from Kileen to Tucson and here is what was displayed rigfht under the itinerary information:
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Continental flight 9556 operated by Colgan Air as Continental Connection.
Note: Flight 9556 is serviced by a non-jet equipment type.
Wheelchairs cannot be accommodated in the cargo hold on flight 9556 due to the equipment type being used.
Continental flight 2673 operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. dba Continental Express.
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As an elite on Continental the "priority" baggage handling is a perk I really don't expect with any regularity. I like the ability to choose roomier exit row seats in advance, getting upgraded when space permits and being able to board first ensuring overhead space. Getting my bag first when I do check a bag ranks pretty low on my list.