[cbolt]

This morning I waited in line for 20 minutes to check my luggage & pick up my ticket. I got to the desk and was told that I could not board as the computer had been closed. Yet the man that was helping me had logged into the computer and was just asking about seat assignment. I was at Palm Springs airport - any boarding area is only 5 minutes from the check in counter, and my flight was not scheduled to leave for another half hour. Still, the "head" lady would not let me check in to board. No announcement had been made saying that passengers to Colorado needed to come forward. The agent who had started to help me looked rather sheepishly and said "You need to have this lady help you." I needed to connect to another flight in Denver and she could not make connections, so I have to wait until tomorrow!! I have seen airlines take people on carts to get to their flight on time and this is a small airport. When I went outside the security guard asked me what was wrong and he checked his watch - the flight still was not scheduled to leave for another 10 minutes. I filed a complaint with United this morning, but of course I got an automatic reply that they are very busy and will answer me as soon as they are able.

[The_Judge]

Computers disallow passengers to check in at 30 minutes or less to scheduled departure of a flight. You showed up late and were not allowed to break the rules. In what way were you disrespected??

D)
Check-In Time Limits - UA has the right to cancel reservations (whether or not confirmed), deny boarding and/or refuse the acceptance of checked baggage of any Passenger who fails to present himself/herself within the applicable check-in time limit for Passengers and/or Baggage.
1)
Domestic flights, except those departing Guam:
a)
For Passengers who do not need to check baggage, Passenger must complete the purchase of the ticket(s), check-in and obtain a boarding pass at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.

The dreaded Contract of Carriage
Page 10, para D