United Makes It Easier To Board

As remarkable as it sounds, someone is actually trying to make it easier to fly! United Airlines declared operational a new type boarding bridge at five gates in their terminal in Denver Thursday.

The "DoubleDocker Bridge" allows passengers to load or unload through two doors at once, and should ease one of the biggest annoyances associated with commercial air travel -- at least for those sitting the back - loading and unloading.

Jim Kyte, general manager of United's Denver operations told the Chicago Tribune "We are refining our processes so planes can be in the air flying, being productive versus sitting at the gate being grounded."

Designed and manufactured by Dewbridge Airport Systems of Ogdensburg, New York, the bridges are y-shaped, with one arm arching over the wing to the rear door. While an earlier version of the system is in use in Canada, this is the first fully-automated system.

Many international flyers know that using two doors isn't a new concept -- they've been doing it for years overseas. The difference is that at most of those overseas locations you walk outside to get from the plane to the terminal, often using steep and rickety stairs to get on and off the jet. DoubleDocker keeps everyone safely indoors away from the elements -- and no stairs.

The five gates at concourse B in Denver equipped with the DoubleDocker serve Ted, United's spin-off low-cost carrier. For now, only Ted customers will enjoy the benefits -- it seems the DoubleDocker works only with narrow-body aircraft.

Still, anything that makes commercial aviation more enjoyable (or less annoying) is good in our opinion!

FMI: www.united.com