Airplane travel etiquette

[Jennasis]

You were zone 4 because you had an aisle seat. The zones are dictated by area of the plane as well as location of the seat. If you want an earlier zone, pay for 1st class, become a super frequent flier, or pick a window seat in the back of the plane.



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Thanks! Never knew what constituted a certain zone. I'll sacrifice the convenience of loading early for the convenience of not having to climb over my fellow passengers to use the potty (and in my warped mind, it'd be easier to escape in the event of a crash).

 

[goofy4tink]

Mom, you are old enough to well remember the days when people travelled with one small 'flight bag' and that was it. And flights took a lot longer - travelling cross country took about twice as long, or more, than it does today.

We survived.

Yes, I do indeed remember those days. But, we also dressed up more when flying back then. Oh, sorry, different thread.

 

[Jennasis]

I console myself over the plane stupidity with the knowledge that DH and I can (and do) DRIVE to WDW.

 

[bavaria]

Yes, I do indeed remember those days. But, we also dressed up more when flying back then. Oh, sorry, different thread.

HEY! Unlock that thread so that we can continue the conversation please. That was a great thread, one of the classics.

 

[traviesojmt]

If the bins above our seats belong to us, can I demand that they stay empty because we don't use them? We fly quite a bit and I never bring anything to load into the overhead bins. I carry a very small backpack that easily fits under the seat. I figure that if I need it bad enough to keep it with me, it should stay within reach. In my personal little world, I feel that as long as I remember that it isn't all about me, I will be able to treat others appropriately. I agree with others that rules should be enforced and followed. Large bags should not be allowed inside the cabin.

 

[bumbershoot]

My only contribution to this is confusion over why someone would pack their breathing medications and whatnot in a bin. I've read that they are heavy and that's why.

OK, but if you might need a breathing treatment at ANY time, what happens if it's in the middle of heavy turbulence? You're going to get out of your seatbelt and open a bin, with a bag you've described as very heavy...seriously NOT safe!

I'd do whatever I could to pack it under my seat, so all it took was maybe a loosening of the belt to bend down to get the stuff, and not overly endanger myself by getting up, and definitely not endanger others by opening that bin.

I have had asthma in the past, and stress, especially emotional stress, is a trigger like nothing else for me (even bigger than cats!), and I cannot imagine having my stuff more than a few feet away from me, or having to break rules by getting up, etc, to get my stuff.

Keep that stuff at your feet!


My family does travel, generally, with the max bags that we're allowed to take, but they are very light and easily manageable. Soft-sided, no wheels, so we have to pack for what our arms (or backs, as even the bigger bags (still officially carryon sized, even for the bigger airlines in Europe, though too big for Aus/NZ) have the ability to become backpacks) can handle through an airport! Easily popped up to the bin, easily maneuvered. So though we have 2 items per person (based on the info on the airline's website) and might look overloaded (to those assuming the bags weigh a lot), we're not, and it makes us happy to carry most of our stuff. And since they are soft-sided, they are squishable in the bins.

 

[Jaimee]

Just to add my 2 cents....DS and I normally only travel for vacations 1-2 times a year. We only take a small backpack and stow it under the seats. I've travelled to Europe and have taken a carryon that I stowed in the bin, but for domestic travel I don't. I know this isn't everybody, but what gets me about some "bin users" on a short flight is the need to get up 10 minutes after take off to unload whatever is in the bin.

Our most frequent flight is from Milwaukee to Orlando, 2.5 hours. Why do you need to get up 10 minutes into the flight and hover over me (yes I've been hit in the head by bags on more than one occasion) to take out the 3 bags/suitcases blocking yours, then your bag to get a magazine??? I get the need to pack essentials and stow them, but I can't stand when people have to dig through all of their "stuff" to get a book or a sweater on a 2.5 hour flight. Couldn't they think of that earlier???

 

[TLSnell1981]

I have to agree with the other poster that the bins above your seat ARE intended for those sitting in those seats to use.

No they're not.

Because, as I said, sometimes the bins above you are in use by airline items.

You are exactly right. As a FF, I normally sit in the front of the plane and the first few bins have blankets, various equipment, etc. stored in them.

If you get on in the middle of the boarding and see all the front bins full, something is wrong there. If everyone boarded in order and put their stuff in the bins by their seats, no one would have issues putting their stuff away.

Although, I don't do it...many flyers store their luggage in the first available bin. It's a pain to reach the tail end and find there is no space in the overheads. This may not be due to unapproved luggage. Most airlines will still hand check luggage, that does not fit under a seat...if there is no available room overhead, for free.

I carry on one airline approved bag and a purse. I do so because of the following reasons:

I've had my luggage lost more than once or twice...
I've had items go missing in checked bags...
I save time NOT going to baggage claim (only to discover my bags are missing)
Luggage is expensive and the airlines do not care if they destroy it.

Oh, and as a FF I'm able to check a couple of bags for free, but choose not to unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.

 

[mhsjax]

Sorry, but that still comes back onto the passengers, en masse. The airlines are switching to surcharging because that's what passengers are rewarding them for doing. Passengers are maniacally focused on the lowest fare they can get away with paying. Airlines that cut even just a dollar off their base fare are favored by too many purchasers to ignore the effect of rolling some of the cost out of the base fare and into a surcharge. If the passengers were not rewarding the airlines who are doing this, and were not punishing the airlines who didn't do it, then the airlines never would have done it.

You sir, deserve the reward for the day, you hit the nail right smack dab on the head.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I absolutely love flying. Only that part too. I hate security and I hate boarding and unboarding. People are so rude! I don't consider myself an expert flyer but I do travel a lot and I know what the rules are and abide by them. I pay to check my bag. I don't like it but I have to. I'm not going to go buy toiletries when I get to my destination and those travel size toiletries don't cut it for me. I also don't want to have to lift a bag and haul it all over hither and yon.

Since most airlines have started to charge for the first checked bag, almost every flight we've been on has left late!

My question is, the ones who end up checking their bag on the plane, do they have to pay the fee? or do they get away with not paying it? THat is so not right if they don't have to pay.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My question is, the ones who end up checking their bag on the plane, do they have to pay the fee? or do they get away with not paying it? THat is so not right if they don't have to pay.

If your bag is legal and there's no room onboard you shouldn't be charged. If it's not your fault....you shouldn't be penalized.

 

[bicker]

Airlines have been going in and out of bankruptcy or chapter 11 for years and years, then they come out of it. Continental alone has done it 3 times since I have been in the business this past 16 years. That is nothing new. But now they are changing their tune saying they aren't making money on the flights so now we are STILL going to charge you for a bag. It is ridiculous.

It is ridiculous that we passengers are unwilling to pay a lot more money than they're charging, so that the airlines can offer their investors the kind of return on investments that will keep the airline's credit rating high enough so that they don't have to pay exorbitant interest rates on the operating credit they use to run their business. It is a vicious cycle. And what's even more ridiculous is that any business sector that finds a way to make investing in that sector worth it to investors gets trounced for being "greedy". So we ridiculous consumers seem to only want one type of company: one that magically provides great service, at an incredibly low price, without any aspect of reality that dictates that great service costs real money, and that the folks who invest their own money so that businesses can operate will only invest their money in a company if doing so is the best possible investment that they can find.

Consumers vigorously work to avoid understanding the impact of their own budget consciousness on the businesses they interact with. Our collective, maniacal bargain-hunting has a cost: It prompts businesses to cut costs as much as they can, often without regard to impact on service (because, again, we collectively, maniacally bargain-hunt -- we don't quality-hunt).

 

[VAN]

I have flown on 4-6 trips during each of the last 2-3 years (both domestically and internationally) and the carry-on baggage can be very stressful. For that reason, I try to get a seat in the back third of the plane so that I load earlier.

I am one that brings two carry-on's: one with wheels that fits wheels first in the overhead and one that goes under my seat. As I am boarding, I keep a close watch to see if there is space near my seat for my bag; however, if I am one of the last to board and it appears that there is no space, I will use a space further up in the plane, but as far back as I can.

I've seen people with bulging bags that take up two spots because they can't fit their bags wheels first. I've seen people bring their two carry ons and then put them BOTH in the overhead + their coat!! Then they stand there blocking the aisle while they proceed to get their magazines, etc out of the bag they just put in the overhead!!! THEN, proceed to close the bin even though there is still room.

Most of this can be avoided by the flight crew announcing and enforcing the fact that only ONE bag per passenger goes in the overhead and that they must go in wheels first! Also announcing that once everyone is on board and if there is still room - THEN you may also put your coat up there.

Too many times I see the flight crew walk along and close bins that still have room in them when the plane is only 1/2 loaded.

It is rare that a flight crew actively manages the loading of the bins -- when it does happen, loading goes smooth and there is plenty of room for bags near passengers seats.

(Also agree that the bins above your seats do NOT belong to you!)

So I blame those who think the rules do not apply to them (just enough on the plane to hose everything up!) and also a flight crew that is not actively managing the situation.

By the way, moving someone elses stuff could create a ruckus that could get YOU thrown off the plane! No lie, I've seen the flight crew threaten this before.

Additional note on etiquitte ... if you have a configuration of 3 and you have the window or aisle seat, please DO NOT HOG the arm rests! It's bad enough to sit in the middle without having two elbows from someone else pinning you in. I normally am on the aisle (pay for an aisle seat) and try to be courteous to the middle person.

 

[mjkacmom]

IMy question is, the ones who end up checking their bag on the plane, do they have to pay the fee? or do they get away with not paying it? THat is so not right if they don't have to pay.

I've gate checked my bag, which met all of the size and weight requirements of a carry-on, after dragging it throught the airport, and to the plane, and of course I wasn't charged. I was more than willing to put it in an overhead bin, filled with travel-sized toiletries. It's not my fault they changed the rules and started charging for checked luggage - I would've checked it (and it would've been larger) if it was still free.

 

[mhsjax]

It is ridiculous that we passengers are unwilling to pay a lot more money than they're charging, so that the airlines can offer their investors the kind of return on investments that will keep the airline's credit rating high enough so that they don't have to pay exorbitant interest rates on the operating credit they use to run their business. It is a vicious cycle. And what's even more ridiculous is that any business sector that finds a way to make investing in that sector worth it to investors gets trounced for being "greedy". So we ridiculous consumers seem to only want one type of company: one that magically provides great service, at an incredibly low price, without any aspect of reality that dictates that great service costs real money, and that the folks who invest their own money so that businesses can operate will only invest their money in a company if doing so is the best possible investment that they can find.

Consumers vigorously work to avoid understanding the impact of their own budget consciousness on the businesses they interact with. Our collective, maniacal bargain-hunting has a cost: It prompts businesses to cut costs as much as they can, often without regard to impact on service (because, again, we collectively, maniacally bargain-hunt -- we don't quality-hunt).

What bothers me about this is not the impact of service(although it does a little) but if they are cutting there, how are we to be assured that they aren't cutting back in the keeping up of the planes maintenance. I would be more than happy to pay a higher fare in order to keep things in good working order. Also they hire newer and younger pilots with little experience to be the pilots and not co-pilots because they are cheaper to pay, All because as Bicker stated, we refuse to pay anything more than the absolute cheapest we can get. Which can turn around and bite you in the butt.

 

[MsDisney23]

DH, DD and I travel together and book 3 seats together, meaning the bin above our seats is clearly marked for our seats. If I get to our seats and someone has shoved their luggage into our bin space, I will not hesitate to unload it. I will then put our 3 carryons in the bin and if there is room left, the luggage that was there prior to ours can go back in. But I'll be danged if my carryon is getting checked because someone wanted their bin space and mine too. I have to carry a lot of medicine, nebulizers, etc., and it's all staying with me, along with a change of clothes in case any checked luggage is lost. Yes, a few seats don't have assigned bin space, but that's between them and the flight attendants.

BTW, I do make certain our carryons are regulation size.

Wow, I hope I'm never on a flight with you!

 

[safetymom]

DH, DD and I travel together and book 3 seats together, meaning the bin above our seats is clearly marked for our seats. If I get to our seats and someone has shoved their luggage into our bin space, I will not hesitate to unload it. I will then put our 3 carryons in the bin and if there is room left, the luggage that was there prior to ours can go back in. But I'll be danged if my carryon is getting checked because someone wanted their bin space and mine too. I have to carry a lot of medicine, nebulizers, etc., and it's all staying with me, along with a change of clothes in case any checked luggage is lost. Yes, a few seats don't have assigned bin space, but that's between them and the flight attendants.

BTW, I do make certain our carryons are regulation size.

Curious to know who you think doesn't have assigned bin space? No one has an assigned bin space.

 

[MiniGirl]

What bothers me about this is not the impact of service(although it does a little) but if they are cutting there, how are we to be assured that they aren't cutting back in the keeping up of the planes maintenance. I would be more than happy to pay a higher fare in order to keep things in good working order. Also they hire newer and younger pilots with little experience to be the pilots and not co-pilots because they are cheaper to pay, All because as Bicker stated, we refuse to pay anything more than the absolute cheapest we can get. Which can turn around and bite you in the butt.

We hear this a lot -- after almost every crash in fact. Unfortunately, it simply is not true. Many years ago, after a ValuJet crashed into the Everglades, we heard this. I was living in Ft. Lauderdale at the time, and it was all over the news. People stating left and right that they were willing to pay more for safety. However, when ValuJet was cleared and started flying again, they offered their seats at some ridicuously low price. It was something like $20. Every plane was full even though the safety record of the airline was still somewhat in question.

Airline employees have been supplementing the general public's vacations for years. As a captain, my dh makes less now, than he did 15 years ago as a first officer. He is also flying more days per month. All this so the airline could offer $79 fares to fly cross country or $99 fares to Europe. Seriously, how messed up is it that sometimes it'll cost you more to park your car at the airport than you pay for the price of your airplane ticket? The pilots aren't the only ones to take pay cuts over the years either. All the employees have and their thanks for it is a flying public who thinks nothing of yelling at them and verbally abusing them. No wonder they seem in such a sour mood. Then to top it off, the airplanes are so full that they can't even take advantage of the flight benefits. The last few times our family flew somewhere we actually bought tickets because they were so cheap.

So, ya'll can complain all you want about the airlines nickel and diming you, but you won't get any sympathy from me. Don't get me wrong. The airlines are far from perfect, and I can complain about them a lot. Anything they can do though to actually cover the cost of a flight w/o having to take anymore from us though is okay with me.

 

[JerseyJanice]

People bringing ridiculously oversized carry-on baggage is nothing new. No doubt about it, it's worse now that the airlines are charging for checked luggage, but going back about 15 years ago, we noticed people shoving big suitcases into the overheads.

Why? Everyone around here is in a huge rush all the time and can not be bothered waiting for their checked bags to be unloaded. Yet they have no problem holding you up from exiting the plane while they pry their enormous bags out of the overheads. This is something that has annoyed me for years.

It's a problem that's likely to get worse before it gets better. The only way to solve it IMO is for the airlines start strictly enforcing the rules for carry-on baggage.

 

[DVC Sadie]

We hear this a lot -- after almost every crash in fact. Unfortunately, it simply is not true. Many years ago, after a ValuJet crashed into the Everglades, we heard this. I was living in Ft. Lauderdale at the time, and it was all over the news. People stating left and right that they were willing to pay more for safety. However, when ValuJet was cleared and started flying again, they offered their seats at some ridicuously low price. It was something like $20. Every plane was full even though the safety record of the airline was still somewhat in question.

Airline employees have been supplementing the general public's vacations for years. As a captain, my dh makes less now, than he did 15 years ago as a first officer. He is also flying more days per month. All this so the airline could offer $79 fares to fly cross country or $99 fares to Europe. Seriously, how messed up is it that sometimes it'll cost you more to park your car at the airport than you pay for the price of your airplane ticket? The pilots aren't the only ones to take pay cuts over the years either. All the employees have and their thanks for it is a flying public who thinks nothing of yelling at them and verbally abusing them. No wonder they seem in such a sour mood. Then to top it off, the airplanes are so full that they can't even take advantage of the flight benefits. The last few times our family flew somewhere we actually bought tickets because they were so cheap.

So, ya'll can complain all you want about the airlines nickel and diming you, but you won't get any sympathy from me. Don't get me wrong. The airlines are far from perfect, and I can complain about them a lot. Anything they can do though to actually cover the cost of a flight w/o having to take anymore from us though is okay with me.

Great post! This post needs to be posted on the Transportation Board IMO.