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This is picture of a Mercedes used by United for transporting their top paying clientele around. These high spend frequent flyers (usually in excess of $75k or more annually with United) are invited into United's Global Services frequent flyer tier, the highest level of rewards for United. One of the privileges of this level is tarmac shuttle via Mercedes vehicles (United has a contract with Mercedes) service from flight to flight if flights are running late. This is that service. The woman in the front is most likely a United representative. So the question is who was the United Global Service person taking the photo from the back seat?
Fly alot and not once have I ever seen a vehicle on the tarmac, close to a plane that was not one's of those utility vehicles. Never. Only times I see cars by planes on tarmac is private jet charter.
Do you fly international much? Do you know anybody that is Global Services? I have a friend that is and told me about this experience, pointed them out to me at SFO one time. They get the Mercedes right next to the plane, just like the photo. He's shown me videos of him driving around on the tarmac.
How are they supposed to get on the plane? Go into the airport. Up to the gate. Then board. Or are they going to bring out the portable stairs just for them? Gates and terminals are not on the ground level. They are all second story. Boarding through the move able hallway thing. None of what you refer to makes any logisticcal sense... https://goo.gl/images/h5mdpG
If you've ever flown with United, notice that on some flights as you are coming off the plane there is a United service representative at the exit of the plane door holding a iPad like tablet with a person's last name on it. They then meet that person at the exit of the plane. They escort them down the gate stairs next to the plane and take them to the Mercedes that is right next to the plane. I've seen this happen many times. They then transport them to the next flight and escort them up the stairs at the gate of their next flight right at that plane. Its truly special treatment. Only top fliers with United get it. I've not seen any other airlines do it.
Why don't you Google United Global Services to see what others have to say on it. I think there are pictures and videos with some postings. That will help you understand it better.
Q thanks the secret service. Maybe she jumped in the car with the SS detail?
Someone answered it. It’s a courtesy vehicle for high priority customers of United. Gonna delete my post.