Airline tries to "simplify" boarding process

Families with small children should be prepared to board with the rest of the plane if they're flying United unless they are in first or business class, under a new boarding policy that has taken effect.

The airline modified its boarding policy last month to "simplify the boarding process" and "reduce the overall number of boarding groups," a representative for United told USA Today.  Families with children will now have to board with their ticketed boarding group.

Most airlines allow families to board before the coach class, but some have changed their policies, like US Airways and American Airlines.  The move by United also comes as more airlines are charging customers a fee to board early.

Some people aren't too happy with the decision by United.  "With an infant who can be unhappy at any moment, it's nice to be able to go in and sit down and know you are on the plane, and you can manage your infant," Brad Schaeppi told USA Today after flying United from Houston to Minneapolis.

But there are others who think the change is good, like Edward Gee who lives in Houston.  "It doesn't take any longer to seat a family in the main boarding (time) than it does with a preboard," he says.

Experts say that it is the responsibility of each airline to find a way to balance the needs of a specific group of travelers and those who pay a price to board first.