Another question about bulk head seating ...

[Gus and Jaq]

Just read a post an bulk head seats and I am now concerned about our family sitting there. We are a group of 5 - 3 adults and 2 kids ages 5 & 8. I definately NEED to have our carry ons with us in flight as this is where I pack all the entertainment for my kids ( coloring books, silly putty, books, etc ) as well as lolly pops, bubble gum, juice boxes, etc. for take off and landing. We were assigned these seats - I did not request them.
What would you travel experts recommend ? Should I try to make a seating change now (we are travelling Aug 18) or wait until we check in ? I have looked at the seating maps through ITN.com and naturally there are not 5 seats together at this time - if they are accurate. Do you think I should just keep the seats and deal with this potential issue if it does become a problem ? Any tips on how to secure some overhead storage room - at this point we are only planning to bring on 3 bags total for the 6 of us. I really do not feel comfortable pre-boarding when they call for families travelling with small children - a 5 year old doesn't seem like a samll child to me???
Thanks for any advice you can offer !

 

[AllanJ]

After checking in at the gate, take the coloring books, drinks, etc. out and put them in small plastic bags like they use at the supermarket. The kids can keep these by their side or in the pocket (if any) on the wall, take out the airline magazines and cards and put those under your own seat cushion.

Also choose one:

1. Change your seat assignments and ask for seats near the back, ate least to two here, two there, then each child gets to sit with at least one adult. If you choose this one, do it now, don't wait until you get to the airport.

2. (Not guaranteed to work if you try it) If your seats are near the front, board before your row is called. There is no other way to assure overhead bin space. You don't have to board really first, maybe when they are ten rows before you, get up and board.

Since the airlines don't have a system to give people enough carry on space, you gotta bend the rules.

If you can't find carry on space, don't just sit down with your suitcase beside you. Ask for help immediately. For bulkhead seats note that even if they find carry on space, it may be some distance away and not as convenient go get out the coloring books and drinks during the flight.

More travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

 

[villainwdw]

when I sit in balkid seats....I useally put books etc in the magaize holder that is on the wall right in front of yuo!! it holds my books and my water etc!!! each sit has one

 

[CarolA]

You don't say which airline you are flying, but most of them have really put a stop on boarding before your row is called unless you are one of their frequent flyers. They claim it helps their on time departure rate.

 

[Gus and Jaq]

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. The idea about storing some of our stuff in plastic bags in the pockets is great... and so is the tip on taking the airline things out of the pockets and putting them under the cushions... thanks ! Incidently, we will be flying on USAir from Philadelphia. I think we will also try to board a little early ... I guess it can't hurt to try !

 

[ducklite]

US Airways out of PHL will NOT allow you to pre-board unless you have really young kids or kids with car seats, are disabled or are Dividend Miles Preferred. They were less strict about it up until about two years ago, then I guess it was just being abused, so they stopped. Lately I've even seen them deny preboarding to anyone with kids unless theyw ere carrying on car seats, regardless of the kids ages.

With bulkhead seats, you are towards the front of the plane, therefore will be one of the last to board. Boarding early will only delay the boarding process for everyone behind you who has to wait for you to settle in and get out of the aisles before they can move to their seats. So you are best off to just pack bare essentials in one bag to be kept with you--they WILL find room for one bag--and if need be, gate check the rest. The only time I've ever seen people not be able to find room to stow one bag was when it was a roll-on. Smaller totes can always be squished in someplace. They will often stash things in the first class closet for bulkhead pax.

Anne

 

[NJmouse]

My husband flew out of Philly this morning (8/6) on American. They are now using a new system of boarding. It is by groups not by rows. On the ticket it has a group #. They were actually turning away people if they were not in the group called. I am not sure if USAir is doing this yet, but, I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[ducklite]

AA implemented their new boarding procedures back in June (I think it was). It seems to be working very well. It's easier for people to hear "Group A" then "Rows$(*&^$% through (*#&$^" because you can never hear what the heck they are saying, it's always garbled. It's really exactly the same thing, they are just grouping the rows into letters rather than calling out row numbers.

To my knowledge no other carrier is doing this.

Anne