Air Travel

Question:

Let me set the record straight once and for all.  the only reason you want to board early is to get the precious "overhead" compartment space. Safety study’s show in an accident that these compartments are inadequate in  contianing the overhead baggage. Have you folks really followeed the 40lbs maximum rule, I doubt it and flight crews do not enforce it. I can remember the days when only coats and clothing were put in the overhead racks because there were no enclosed compartments.  And sitll in those aircraft with enclosed overheads carry-on was limited.  As a frequent flyer I pack carefully with the same luggage the flight crew uses to meet requirements. However in recent years I have seen a yore of shopping bags, huge carry- on’s and total disregard for carry-on regulations.  Anybody have a beef with this opinion E-Mail me at Prodigy TWQ-21A.  I’m a frequent flyer and and I object to sharing a seat with someone’s garment-bag.

Response:

>No, I think the reason is actually more practical.  Given that so many people >carry on their luggage instead of handing it in and then having to wait for >it at the end of the flight, and given that very often ones sees people >carrying 2 and 3 pieces of luggage on the aircraft (there being no assertive >attendant to enforce the one piece per passenger rule), by boarding early >they can simply hog more overhead bin space. >I have often boarded an airctraft only to find that the overhead bin above >MY seat (where no one else was seated, even in the adjacent seats) is >already choked solid with someone else’s luggage! It’s plain old >self-centeredness and egotistic thinking.

Goodness, I hope this wasn’t a domestic flight where your carryon was supposed to fit under the seat in front of you, but you needed the bin because it was bigger than that . Just curious–has anybody (passenger, that is) ever requested politely that the offenders move their stuff so that the person sitting under that part of the bin could get their stuff in?  Might be taking your life in your hands, but it could be worth trying. Deborah Stevenson

Response:

>  Hi, > <snip>   >  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an >  aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! >  So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain >  self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical >  abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone >  else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality???

No, I think the reason is actually more practical.  Given that so many people carry on their luggage instead of handing it in and then having to wait for it at the end of the flight, and given that very often ones sees people carrying 2 and 3 pieces of luggage on the aircraft (there being no assertive attendant to enforce the one piece per passenger rule), by boarding early they can simply hog more overhead bin space. I have often boarded an airctraft only to find that the overhead bin above MY seat (where no one else was seated, even in the adjacent seats) is already choked solid with someone else’s luggage! It’s plain old self-centeredness and egotistic thinking. >  Any ideas?  Also, if there are any "assertive gate agent stories" out >  there, please share them!

On 2 overseas flights with TWA last year, a polite but very firm attendant checked everyone’s boarding card and only let through those people whose rows had been called. As you said above, it was heaven. Jay

Response:

> writes: >I wold be interesting to see companies such as Qantas that use > magnetic >boarding passes that the passenger inserts into a wicket style reader >block passengers who are not yet supposed to board

Well, I don’t know about Qantas, but EVA Air has the same magnetic boarding passes but the passagers board out of order, and really nothing ground personel could do if they go out of their turn.  However, they do ask for the usual first class, highest tier frequent flyer, handicap, and families with children.  But then in Asia, that seems to be everyone.  It could work in the US, and maybe Europe, but I really doubt in Asia.

Response:

writes: >You can easily tell seasonned travelers at boarding time. >Seasonned travelers stay seated at the gate waiting room until the most >folks have boarded and all the broo-ha-ha is over inside the airplane. >Then, they gently walk into the airplane, take time to say hello to the >gate agents because neither are in a hurry. >Seasonned travelers know not to bring too much hand luggage so it is not >a problem getting on the plane later.

I disagree. Actually, most of the people where I work  bring either a suit bag or a carry-on on wheels so we don’t have to wait for checked baggage. I personnally need the overhead space.

Response:

writes: > So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain > self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical > abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a

"everyone <snip> >I wold be interesting to see companies such as Qantas that use magnetic >boarding passes that the passenger inserts into a wicket style reader >block passengers who are not yet supposed to board

And how would you identify the handicapped and parents?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Yes, it is self-centered, but it may very well be brought on by other > travellers behaviour. I have noticed too many times that people > seated in the back use the overhead bins at the bulkhead rows for > their baggage. Now, where are the poor fellows in the bulkhead > seat supposed to put their baggage? > I think much of this early boarding would be eliminated if the airlines > enforced the carry-on rules (but that is another story that has been > discussed at length before). >It has been my experience that he reason for passengers boarding before >their assignments are called is due to the carry-on problem.  If the >airlines would enforce that rule, they really could get aircraft out on >time with minimal delays with the proper boarding procedures. >I have spoken with many travelers both seasoned and unseasoned, they have >all told me is that they board as quickly as possible to make sure they >get their carry-ons on board and close to them. >I have boarded late in first-class, siting in the bulkhead seat and had >to gate-check my briefcase. No room in the overhead or closet.  that was >the only carry-on I had. >Remember when the overheads (they were nets) were just used for hats and >coats?

Ansett and Qantas domestic both striclty enforce carry on regulations and these are smaller dimensions than international. There is usually plenty of room up top. I find I nealry always put my stuff on the floor. That way i can rest my feet on it and get to things during the flight and I don’t leave things behind. — Terri Allen Uni of Melbourne, Austin&Repat Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Vic.

Response:

>You can easily tell seasonned travelers at boarding time. >Seasonned travelers stay seated at the gate waiting room until the most >folks have boarded and all the broo-ha-ha is over inside the airplane. >Then, they gently walk into the airplane, take time to say hello to the >gate agents because neither are in a hurry. >Seasonned travelers know not to bring too much hand luggage so it is not >a problem getting on the plane later.

My thoughts exactly. Sanity prevails. TA — Terri Allen Uni of Melbourne, Austin&Repat Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Vic.

Response:

>Hi, >I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an >aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! I have

<snip> >So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain >self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical >abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone >else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality??? >Any ideas?  Also, if there are any "assertive gate agent stories" out >there, please share them! >Neil

One reason could be that many rude people at the back of the plane like to put their carry ons in the overheads in the front of the plane. Thus the people in the front of coach have to wait till everyone deplanes so they can get their carry-ons which had to be stowed further back than they are seated. I am always amazed when I board the plane for a seat about halfway back, that 7 or 8 bags are stowed above empty seats in the front of coach ( since the front hasn’t been seated yet).

Response:

[On boarding priority...] I recently saw a friend off at HNL; she was flying to LAX on Rich International. They did something I thought was novel: They had the boarding ramp connected to the CENTER DOOR instead of the one right behind where first class normally is. They began to call out passengers seated in both the front AND the rear of the craft. In effect, they were able to process the passengers almost twice as fast this way. I was amazed! — * The American Talk Show: The only politically correct modern-day circus  * * Maintainer: rec.arts.bodyart Tattoo FAQ, Purple Pages Directory, Welcome* * & Netiquette FAQ; rec.travel.air Travelite FAQ. And I don’t do Windows! *

Response:

> Hi, > You won’t believe the following (private) response I received regarding > this issue…talk about rationalizing self-centered behavior!! (NOTE: > since the response was sent privately, I will omit the individual’s name > and e-mail address)   Neil

I admit the writer’s line about always being called last for his/her section is a little paraniod, but I think many of us can relate to losing overhead space to "parents traveling with small children" who have enough stuff to pack a bus, and expect us all to adjust to their "situation"  If the airline would actually inforce their rules then there would be no reason for concern, but they don’t and as a result we all fear traveling a long haul with our meager footspace taken up by our (oversized?) duffle. Tom — T.C. Wright, Ph.D.        * It isn’t pollution that’s harming the                     Green Oaks Res.           * environment, it is the impurities in the                                                  -Dan Quayle

Response:

[...snip...] >So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain >self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical >abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone >else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality??? >Any ideas?  Also, if there are any "assertive gate agent stories" out >there, please share them! >Neil

Neil, At least in the U.S., "elite" frequent fliers are also extended the pre-boarding courtesy.  Moreover, these people are given seats toward the front of the coach cabin.  Thus, even if you’re in the back row, many of the folks in front of the cabin may have legitimately boarded the plane before you did. I’m elite on both CO & AA, and I pre-board all flights on those airlines.  If I’m flying on someone else, I wait. In general, I’ve noticed more enforcement of boarding order recently–it really depends upon the gate personnel, the airline, and the airport.  I’ve seen many people turned back out of line at Continental’s Houston hub. Regards,   Alan

Response:

> Hi, > You won’t believe the following (private) response I received regarding > this issue…talk about rationalizing self-centered behavior!! (NOTE: > since the response was sent privately, I will omit the individual’s name > and e-mail address)   Neil > —– > "Sure. It’s because if you don;t get there first, the overhead bins > may already be full.

Yes, it is self-centered, but it may very well be brought on by other travellers behaviour. I have noticed too many times that people seated in the back use the overhead bins at the bulkhead rows for their baggage. Now, where are the poor fellows in the bulkhead seat supposed to put their baggage? I think much of this early boarding would be eliminated if the airlines enforced the carry-on rules (but that is another story that has been discussed at length before). — Per Harwe                       | Cypress, CA.                    | The opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

Response:

Delta just made a major change in their boarding process and it seems to be an improvement.  Families with children and  passengers needing extra assistance  are no longer  called to preboard. It is First Class, followed Medallions and than 5 rows at a time from back to front.   Handicapped passenger’s can request to preboard (unannounced) with the gate agent. The only problem is that Delta’s enforcement (or lack thereof) seems to be lax.  They need to enforce their policies.

Response:

> Yes, it is self-centered, but it may very well be brought on by other > travellers behaviour. I have noticed too many times that people > seated in the back use the overhead bins at the bulkhead rows for > their baggage. Now, where are the poor fellows in the bulkhead > seat supposed to put their baggage? > I think much of this early boarding would be eliminated if the airlines > enforced the carry-on rules (but that is another story that has been > discussed at length before).

It has been my experience that he reason for passengers boarding before their assignments are called is due to the carry-on problem.  If the airlines would enforce that rule, they really could get aircraft out on time with minimal delays with the proper boarding procedures. I have spoken with many travelers both seasoned and unseasoned, they have all told me is that they board as quickly as possible to make sure they get their carry-ons on board and close to them. I have boarded late in first-class, siting in the bulkhead seat and had to gate-check my briefcase. No room in the overhead or closet.  that was the only carry-on I had. Remember when the overheads (they were nets) were just used for hats and coats?

Response:

>> So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain > self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical > abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone > else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality??? >"One guy cheating (me) won’t make a difference" >"This can’t be airline security related, so the row ordering is not >important – besides they never make a fuss" >"If I can get in before the others in my row, then I get all the space" >"I’ve been in line forever, and I don’t want to relinquish my place in >line, I was here before those guys in the back row, let them wait at the >end of the line". >I wold be interesting to see companies such as Qantas that use magnetic >boarding passes that the passenger inserts into a wicket style reader >block passengers who are not yet supposed to board

I have seen multiple times flying UA where passengers are turned back at the gate because they are not sequenced to board yet. Correct practice. The worst scenes are in France with Air Inter, once there is a call, then all rushes over for the cram. Its an amazing sight!

Response:

Hi, You won’t believe the following (private) response I received regarding this issue…talk about rationalizing self-centered behavior!! (NOTE: since the response was sent privately, I will omit the individual’s name and e-mail address)   Neil —– "Sure. It’s because if you don;t get there first, the overhead bins may already be full. I always am very careful to get there first. I’m always at the front of my "seat range" line. And if they call "15-40" and I’m in 13 or 14, and the plane is full, I’ll get in near the rear of the  15-25 range. Incidentally, I resent being called a "person" when I am discussing travel in airplanes. I prefer the more accurate term "sardine". As a sardine not a human, I don’t particularly feel the need to obey the normal rules of conduct for people."

Response:

>So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain >self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical >abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone >else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality???

They ignore the row number calls because of several reasons: A) They know more than any airline employee can tell them B) They are too important to wait their turn C) They don’t understand plain (insert native tongue of country of flight’s origin) D) They are in a hurry to violate another rule of carry-on luggage size and get a whole overhead bin to themselves E) They’re just plain stupid, rude and ignorant F) All of the above

Response:

> So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain > self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical > abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone > else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality???

"One guy cheating (me) won’t make a difference" "This can’t be airline security related, so the row ordering is not important – besides they never make a fuss" "If I can get in before the others in my row, then I get all the space" "I’ve been in line forever, and I don’t want to relinquish my place in line, I was here before those guys in the back row, let them wait at the end of the line". I wold be interesting to see companies such as Qantas that use magnetic boarding passes that the passenger inserts into a wicket style reader block passengers who are not yet supposed to board

Response:

You can easily tell seasonned travelers at boarding time. Seasonned travelers stay seated at the gate waiting room until the most folks have boarded and all the broo-ha-ha is over inside the airplane. Then, they gently walk into the airplane, take time to say hello to the gate agents because neither are in a hurry. Seasonned travelers know not to bring too much hand luggage so it is not a problem getting on the plane later.

Response:

> Hi, > I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an > aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! I have

When flying out of Newark once, I was boarding a CO flight and at least half the people were preboarding, most due to their One Pass status (me too). I don’t think that was a very efficient thing to do. And what about those people with one small child. I have seen 6 or more people from one family preboard just becasue they had one small child. Michael

Response:

Thank you for posting this article, because I was thinking about this same thing when I was flying in the past few days.   I notice a lot of people with kids seem to think the announcement allowing "people with small children" to board first applies to anyone younger than 18.  Understandably, I can see why people with babies need to board early, to get all the baggage stowed and get settled in.  But, yesterday for example, I saw several large families with pudgy, sunburned school-age children, (all wearing brand new Disneyland tourist apparel) storm the gate, when they announced boarding for rows 25 and back.  When I boarded, they were ALL sitting near the front of the plane.  I think generally, people try to get away with whatever they can get away with, and tend to overinterpret "people needing extra time in boarding."  Personally, I don’t care if they do this, as long as they don’t cram the overhead bins near my seat, before I get there Laura. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, >I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an >aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! I have >travelled on a number of flights recently on which practically everyone >at the gate stormed the jetway…even though the gate agent clearly >asked passengers to refer to their boarding cards for their seat >assignment and then called only rows in the rear of the aircraft! >Of course, upon boarding the aircraft (when my row was called!), I >discovered very few people in the rear of the aircraft… but, surprise >surprise, an abundance of people in rows that had not yet been called! >Of course, they were clogging the aisle, making it difficult for others >to get past them to their seats. I have to admit, I had to fight the >urge to yell out "My, isn’t it amazing how many people can’t count from >1 to 40!" but I restrained myself. >Unfortunately, most gate agents seem to allow people to board (no matter >what their row number actually is) if they present at the gate entrance >once boarding has commenced… However, recently I was treated to a >rather assertive gate agent for an Air Canada flight out of La >Guardia… several people attempted to board the flight before their row >number was called and they were promptly asked to return to their seat >until their row number was called… I was in heaven as I looked on from >a distance… watching the expressions of embarrassment and humiliation >on these passengers’ faces as their attempt to sneak in line was put to >an abrupt (and very public) halt! >So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain >self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical >abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone >else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality??? >Any ideas?  Also, if there are any "assertive gate agent stories" out >there, please share them! >Neil

Response:

>I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an >aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!!

I’m with you. The more-important-than-everyone-else mentality is disgusting. These people should be pulled aside by security and held in a separate area until everyone else, including standby passengers, is on the plane. Then their carry-ons should be weighed and measured to see if perhaps they shouldn’t be checked. Then, before they are allowed to board, the cabin crew should invite the other passengers to come to the galley and spit in their food. miguel

Response:

Hi, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find people who board an aircraft BEFORE their row number is called EXTREMELY ANNOYING!! I have travelled on a number of flights recently on which practically everyone at the gate stormed the jetway…even though the gate agent clearly asked passengers to refer to their boarding cards for their seat assignment and then called only rows in the rear of the aircraft! Of course, upon boarding the aircraft (when my row was called!), I discovered very few people in the rear of the aircraft… but, surprise surprise, an abundance of people in rows that had not yet been called! Of course, they were clogging the aisle, making it difficult for others to get past them to their seats. I have to admit, I had to fight the urge to yell out "My, isn’t it amazing how many people can’t count from 1 to 40!" but I restrained myself. Unfortunately, most gate agents seem to allow people to board (no matter what their row number actually is) if they present at the gate entrance once boarding has commenced… However, recently I was treated to a rather assertive gate agent for an Air Canada flight out of La Guardia… several people attempted to board the flight before their row number was called and they were promptly asked to return to their seat until their row number was called… I was in heaven as I looked on from a distance… watching the expressions of embarrassment and humiliation on these passengers’ faces as their attempt to sneak in line was put to an abrupt (and very public) halt! So, why do so many people ignore row number calls? Is it plain self-centeredness ("the rules don’t apply to me"), poor mathematical abilities (inject sarcasm), anxiety, poor hearing, and/or a "everyone else is doing it, so I might as well" mentality??? Any ideas?  Also, if there are any "assertive gate agent stories" out there, please share them! Neil

Response: