Grrrr....

[ducklite]

DH was on a very early SW flight this morning. A family preboarded and took 1 C-D-E-F. They were STILL trying to put their luggage away and settle in as the FA closed the plane door. In the meantime they disrupted the entire boarding process by repeatedly blocking the aisle. When the plane landed and the door was opened, they held up people getting off for almost three minutes, again blocking the aisle and dealing with the crap that the kids had strewn all over the place. DH finally got disgusted and pushed his way past them (he was in 1A) and got off--he had to get to work--and no, he had no checked bag he had to claim, he had a small backpack with his latop that he had carryed on, so yes, he was being held up! He turned around as he was about 200 feet from the jetway to look, and still no other passengers had gotten off.

Can someone tell me WHY these people took the very front seats when there were 25 rows further back that were toally empty?

People, if you need extra time, please go towards the rear of the plane where you'll hold up a lot less people! And if you do find yourself in the front and aren't ready to get off when the door is opened, stay seated until the plane clears so you don't hold up 130-some other passengers!

Anne

 

[goofy4tink]

You're preaching to the choir here Anne!!! This is something that has always bugged me. But, there are a lot of families out there who either 1. don't know any better or 2. know better and just don't care about those behind them.
This is the primary reason I won't fly SW unless I get a really great fare. They allow too many people to preboard, then those preboarding (no, not all of them!!!) take forever to get situated in their seats. Then, you get held up as they try to get it all together when landed.
That will never change unless SW does something about their preboarding. Hopefully this will change somehow. I'm looking forward to seeing what SW does, down the road, to change the situation.

 

[bavaria]

But it happens even on other airlines with assigned seating.... and I agree - GRRR. And I agree - if you need extra time, WAIT for the aisles to clear.

It's the same thoughtless behaviour that appears to becoming commonplace, and not just on airplanes.

But thanks for bringing it up! Now I'm sure we will see all kinds of posts from people insisting that

• they never would do this
• we just don't understand
• we have something against families with children

 

[angwill]

Not trying to take over the thread but after reading I am wondering (I have only been on a flight twice and the third coming up) what is the protocol when boarding and putting carry on in the overhead bin. What I am wondering is this; when we get on the plane should we find our seat and get our carry on up in the overhead bin as quickly as possible and then sit down or should we move into our seats, letting others pass us and then when it is clear try to get our baggage in the overhead bin? I only have one 12 year old and never more than one or two carry ons to go in the bin. Last year I just quickly put it in the bin and then sat down letting others past. I was kind of worried about finding space in the bin near us since we were near the front and last group to board on AA. I would just like to hear from experienced travlers what works best and fastest?

Thanks

Thanks

 

[seashoreCM]

Should this happen often enough that the plane is unduly delayed, the airline will refine its boarding procedures.

Regrettably I won't go rushing around and getting all hot and sweaty to get seated quickly when I could have done it more relaxed had I been able to get on sooner.

I vote for putting your luggage in the bin as soon as you can.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

The disadvantage of the straightforward back to front boarding (assigned seat airlines) is that there is only one concentrated area of intense stowing that starts at the back and gradually works its way forward with people queued up in the aisles. At least with Southwest there is a high probability (not a certainty as the OP described) that stowing will be distributed all up and down the aisle and therefore complete faster.

 

[bavaria]

Not trying to take over the thread but after reading I am wondering (I have only been on a flight twice and the third coming up) what is the protocol when boarding and putting carry on in the overhead bin. What I am wondering is this; when we get on the plane should we find our seat and get our carry on up in the overhead bin as quickly as possible and then sit down or should we move into our seats, letting others pass us and then when it is clear try to get our baggage in the overhead bin? I only have one 12 year old and never more than one or two carry ons to go in the bin. Last year I just quickly put it in the bin and then sat down letting others past. I was kind of worried about finding space in the bin near us since we were near the front and last group to board on AA. I would just like to hear from experienced travlers what works best and fastest?

Thanks

Thanks

• as soon as you reach your aisle, move into the aisle
• take a moment to gather your items
• place larger items under the seat in front of you
• smaller items should be placed in the bin or at your feet (most people DO put larger items in the bin)
• rollaboards should be placed in the bin wheels towards the window and not sideways
• ensure that the bin can close before you are reseated
• if you know that you are holding up a large group, take a seat or stand in the row of seats, not blocking the aisle, until you can place your items without holding up too many people
• when walking down the aisle, avoid hitting seated passengers with your carry ons and/or large backpacks - you wouldn't believe how many people wear large backpacks and turn from side to side, hitting seated passengers in the head
• thanks for asking!

 

[bavaria]

• also note that if you are one of the last to board, bin space may be a premium and you may need to go further back to find some, if there is any at all. Otherwise you may need to gatecheck your items
• consider leaving items at your feet instead ie under the seat in front of you
• this is why we frequent flyers now feel that we need to preboard even if we are in the first few rows
• on TED/United flights there is signage protecting the bins above row 1 on a 319 and row 9 on a 757 as bin poachers take away space from those rows, which have no underseat storage

 

[bavaria]

The disadvantage of the straightforward back to front boarding (assigned seat airlines) is that there is only one concentrated area of intense stowing that starts at the back and gradually works its way forward with people queued up in the aisles. At least with Southwest there is a high probability (not a certainty as the OP described) that stowing will be distributed all up and down the aisle and therefore complete faster.

more and more US airlines no longer board front to back; United for instance uses WILMA.

the problem arises when passengers refuse to follow instructions and board before their zone is called.

At least United GAs are good at calling out those who try and board before their zone is called, usually sending them to the back of the line. In this case, I am all for a little public humiliation!

Less turnaround time at the gate means less money means a little less airfare cost, yet the majority of infrequent travellers seem to want to line up as soon as the first person stands at the gate reader. Absolutely no need to do so!

 

[dreamcometrue]

I really think this happens on all airlines, however, I have not ever flown Southwest, so I don't know how bad it is there. I always find it incredibly rude when people get up and mess around in the overhead bin, getting stuff from their carryons, etc. while people are trying to board. They always block the whole aisle and people have to wait until they are finished with whatever they are doing. I also can't stand when people let their kids in the aisle during boarding. I have 2 kids myself and they always stay in their seats the entire time!

 

[kaytieeldr]

But thanks for bringing it up! Now I'm sure we will see all kinds of posts from people insisting that
• they never would do this
• we just don't understand
• we have something against families with children

Oh. I thought we had something against families being raised by inconsiderate, self-centered adults

 

[bavaria]

inconsiderate, self-centered adults

There are no inconsiderate, self-centered adults who read this website, Missy!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ah, more's the pity!

 

[goofy4tink]

Just flew JB from Logan to MCO and then from TPA back to Logan. We were in seats 2 D,E,F. Can I tell you how many people jumped in the line before their row was called? It was actually quite humerous. I was a bit concerned, especially leaving Logan, about finding a place in the overhead for our larger carryon bag. But, it turned out to be fine.
The issue with SW is that if they allow preboarders, those preboarders are going to always go for the first rows they come to. So, let's assume that the first 8 rows are taken by preboarders. If any of those preboarders take their time about stowing stuff, those group A holders are going to be stuck behind those trying to get situated. And just by virtue of being a family with kids young enough to preboard, it means you will most likely have more stuff to stow! I still think those preboarders should be sent to the rear of the plane...they can then take their time getting situated, and then take their time getting stuff back together at the end of the flight.
Me, self-centered and inconsiderate??? Nah...just like things to go smoothly when flying.

 

[CarolMN]

Just flew JB from Logan to MCO and then from TPA back to Logan. We were in seats 2 D,E,F. Can I tell you how many people jumped in the line before their row was called? It was actually quite humerous. I was a bit concerned, especially leaving Logan, about finding a place in the overhead for our larger carryon bag. But, it turned out to be fine.
The issue with SW is that if they allow preboarders, those preboarders are going to always go for the first rows they come to. So, let's assume that the first 8 rows are taken by preboarders. If any of those preboarders take their time about stowing stuff, those group A holders are going to be stuck behind those trying to get situated. And just by virtue of being a family with kids young enough to preboard, it means you will most likely have more stuff to stow! I still think those preboarders should be sent to the rear of the plane...they can then take their time getting situated, and then take their time getting stuff back together at the end of the flight.
Me, self-centered and inconsiderate??? Nah...just like things to go smoothly when flying.

I agree with you - all preboarders (except those who are mobility impaired and require assistance) should be made to sit in the rear of the plane.

If you need extra time to get settled getting on, then you need extra time getting off. Since SWA is so concerned about boarding / turnaround times, I'm surprised they haven't already instituted that rule. I think it would make boarding and deplaning go faster. Those who do not want to sit in the rear can just board with their A, B or C pass.

 

[dawnball]

DD and I essentially always sit in 1 D-E or 1 E-F. I do need extra time to get her settled in, but needing extra time doesn't mean that I block the aisle. I *do* block the row we're in, but if we are in any row other than the bulkhead row (which is deeper) I end up blocking the row we're in and frequently part of the aisle. I don't usually need extra time to deplane, but when I do, I usually end up being close to last off the plane. That just doesn't have any bearing on where in the plane we sit.

Really - any traveler, not just a traveler with kids can cause that problem. Although, I can't imagine why they would need to block the aisle to gather their belongings, particularly with bulkhead seats. You snag your carryon (from under your seat or the bin), stand in the row while you repack it and then slip into the stream of departing passengers.

I don't particularly agree that if you need extra time you should deplane last though. If you need extra time to gather your stuff together then it's polite not to make people wait while you muck around in the aisle and that probably means you'll be close to last off. If you walk very slowly/unsteadily for some reason then there's no real harm in leading the way off the plane. Other passengers won't be able to run down the jetway, but the net time delta is irrelevant. Frequently people in that situation are only walking as far as their courtesy wheelchair anyway, which barely holds up general de-boarding.

 

[crashbb]

My protocol for boarding (which my parents taught me as a tiny traveler):

1) When in the boarding lounge area, remove from backpack what you will need between getting on the plane and reaching cruising altitude (for me - boarding pass and passport, gum, IPOD).

2) Enter line up when your row is called (I'm Elite on my main airline, so I'll often board when elites are called). No need to crowd the line area before you can enter the line.

3) Get to your row and throw bag in overhead compartment or under the seat in front.

4) Sit down, but don't buckle up (I tend to sit in the aisle seat so I need to get out for someone else to get in - don't wait in the aisle for this person).

For getting off the plane, I again get everything into my backpack that I won't need between the seatbelt sign going on (i.e. starting descent) and entering the airport. Thus, when ready to get off, I just need to grab my bag and get going - the stuff I've left out (IPOD, gum, book) can go back in my bag when I'm off the plane. Again, since I'm Elite, I tend to get seated at the front of the Y cabin (or I fly business), so there isn't (usually) a huge delay between landing and when my row is ready to deplane.

 

[NotUrsula]

The *real* issue for the average we-only-fly-once-a-yr family is that they take TOO MUCH STUFF, often the wrong stuff, and they don't pack it properly in the first place.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; check some bags, use backpacks to keep your hands free to wrangle your kids, and put any and all need-during-the-flight items in the backpack that will go under the seat, NOT the one that will go in the overhead bin. If you are NOT sitting in a bulkhead row and you need to get into the overhead bin during the flight for any reason other than a serious protein spill, then you are doing it wrong.

The stuff that goes in the underseat bag(s) should be restricted to money & ID, [small!] items that will keep your children amused and quiet; electronics, medications & reading materials only if they will be used in-flight; snacks and drinks; and diapering supplies. Everything else goes in the bag destined for the overhead. Get it straight before you leave the gate.