News re: preboarding for kids or the disabled.

[safetymom]

It is nice to see that there are some people left that understand how to board and leave the plane.

I never did understand why the minute the plane stops at the gate everyone jumps up and just stands there. We were in Boston one time and they announced that a gate attendant wouldn't get to the plane for 15 minutes. Not a person moved or sat back down.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Nik's Mom
By the way, it also gets on my nerves that people feel like they have to carry on everything and the kitchen sink on the plane. Get a grip people. Do you really need that much stuff?

I have to agree with that, but on a different level... THE BUSES. I can't tell you how many times I see people with not only humongous strollers that won't fold because there is too much junk in it, and then half thier luggage with them as well, it seems. They don't bother to get everything in order until the line moves, and they get up to the door... then they hold everything up, as they frantically scramble to get everything in order. Drives me bonkers.

Maybe its that Im not a parent, and just don't understand... but I see all these other families with out all this extra junk... I mean, there are certain things that I can understand... a diaper bag, some snacks perhaps... but some people do indeed bring the kitchen sink, thinking Disney won't have a sink for them.

*sigh*

*steps down from soapbox*

 

[Nik's Mom]

Yes, the double strollers are notorious for holding up llines. I think we only used a double stroller a couple of times before we realized it was just slowing us down.

 

[CarolA]

Chip 'N Dale,
It is just the Disney way. Kind of like the people standing in the LONG line for food who don't start figuring out what they want until they get to the order point and then someone has to go look for Jimmy who went to get the table without telling them what he wants. Did these people just figure out they were in line for FOOD? Those same people just figured out they were waiting on a bus!

 

[Beast fan]

When DW and I fly with our DS's (5 and 2.5), I have tried to get us the same seat assignments on leg of the flight. That way, the children are very comfortable with their surroundings and gradually decreases any "unnecessary" time in the aisle. If that isn't possible (and it usually isn't) I try to arrange it so that we are sitting on a side of row that only has 2 seats (DW and I are on aisle seats, with the children at the window). That way, we are not climbing over anyone to get to our seats and (should the children need to use the potty) we are not climbing over anyone to get out of our seats.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> What would really be cool is if they allowed just one of us in early, so that person could install ... we are very stressed out trying to get that car seat installed as quickly as possible...

When enough parents decide they are not going to get stressed out and instead ignoring snide comments and doing their things in a less stresed manner anyway, it will dawn on the airline that do that very cool thing you suggested will speed things up.

But please, if you think you need more time, do the airline a courtesy by asking to board earlier first. Then the airline can make the choice.

As far as I know, if a child seat wobbles from side to side a bit that is OK, what counts is that it can't move very far forward.

Seeimg that we have some bus comments in this thread, I might ask, why is it so hazardous for people to be standing in the airplane aisle when the airplane is on the ground and suddenly starts moving compared to standing in a bus or subway train aisle and the bus or train starts moving?

Now I got a cool idea. If someone stops just outside the bus door to do someting time consuming like fold up a stroller, others behind should be allowed to go around him and board. This will speed boarding.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
Now I got a cool idea. If someone stops just outside the bus door to do someting time consuming like fold up a stroller, others behind should be allowed to go around him and board. This will speed boarding.

I do NOT wait for inconsiderate idiots who don't have the brains to fold the stroller while they wait ten minutes for the bus, and instead have to unload it all while holding up the line. Granted, some will step out of the way--but most just stand there holding the line! I just say "excuse me", step around them, and board.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by safetymom
It is nice to see that there are some people left that understand how to board and leave the plane.

I never did understand why the minute the plane stops at the gate everyone jumps up and just stands there. We were in Boston one time and they announced that a gate attendant wouldn't get to the plane for 15 minutes. Not a person moved or sat back down.

That's funny! Sad, but funny! I will admit that sometimes once we land I'll stand up at my seat to stretch a bit, but then if I'm not going to be getting right off I'll sit back down again.

Anne

 

[DebbieB]

I flew PIT/MCO on Friday on USAirways and they did allow pre-boarding for families with infants.

When we were boarding, we were in row 10, this guy in front of me was in row 8, he stops and looks all around for a place for his bag and then he's standing in the aisle organizing his stuff, then figuring who should sit where, meanwhile the whole line is held up!

 

[safetymom]

I will be flying out of PIT tomorrow for MCO. I have the pleasure of sitting in First due to upgrades from USAirways.

I was surprised since it is a smaller plane but I am happy. I will report what happens tomorrow. I have been on my many flights where they board by row since there are so many preferred flyers at PIT.

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by ducklite
I do NOT wait for inconsiderate idiots who don't have the brains to fold the stroller while they wait ten minutes for the bus, and instead have to unload it all while holding up the line. Granted, some will step out of the way--but most just stand there holding the line! I just say "excuse me", step around them, and board.

Anne

I'm fine with this, as long as you are volunteering to hold my 28 pound baby in one arm and my folded stroller in the other arm, maybe with the diaper bag hanging from around your neck, for 10 minutes, or as long as it takes for a bus to come along.

I wish everyone would just take a deep breath and realize that a few seconds of patient waiting is better for their health than getting all mad and stressed out.

Peggy

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by peg2001
I'm fine with this, as long as you are volunteering to hold my 28 pound baby in one arm and my folded stroller in the other arm, for 10 minutes, or as long as it takes for a bus to come along.

I wish everyone would just take a deep breath and realize that a few seconds of patient waiting is better for their health than getting all mad and stressed out.

Peggy

Peggy--The problem is with the people who see the bus coming, and wait until the doors actually open and people start getting on. Then they have to unload everything from under the stroller, fold it up and harrang it onto the bus while holding up the line. Instead they should begin the process as they see the bus coming, and if they are holding the line, be considerate and step out of the line and allow others to pass until they finish. No one would mind someone who had stepped out of line to cut back into the line in front of them (well, maybe some unreasonable people would, but they're obviously jerks anyhow).

We're not complaining about those that take 2-4 seconds to take out baby and quickly fold the stroller. We're talking about the people that have the stroller stuffed to the gils and are inconsiderate and don't start getting situated beforehand.

Anne

 

[prncess674]

The problem is with the people who see the bus coming, and wait until the doors actually open and people start getting on. Then they have to unload everything from under the stroller, fold it up and harrang it onto the bus while holding up the line.

These are the same people who when they go to the grocery sit there and watch every item go over the scanner, and once the check out girl hits the total button, THEN they decide to look through their purse for the checkbook to begin writing out the check. Why can't they have the check already filled out other than the amount!

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by ducklite
Peggy--The problem is with the people who see the bus coming, and wait until the doors actually open and people start getting on. Then they have to unload everything from under the stroller, fold it up and harrang it onto the bus while holding up the line. Instead they should begin the process as they see the bus coming, and if they are holding the line, be considerate and step out of the line and allow others to pass until they finish. No one would mind someone who had stepped out of line to cut back into the line in front of them (well, maybe some unreasonable people would, but they're obviously jerks anyhow).

We're not complaining about those that take 2-4 seconds to take out baby and quickly fold the stroller. We're talking about the people that have the stroller stuffed to the gils and are inconsiderate and don't start getting situated beforehand.

Anne

Oh! Then I would find myself agreeing with you.

Peggy

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Indeed, like ducklite said, it's those who see the bus coming, and wait until they get to the front door, and then block the door, and scramble with their unorganized stuff that is the problem...

Keep your kids in the stroller until you see the bus coming, or even until the door if necessary... however... while you're waiting, take that time to organize everything, so that when the bus does come, you have everything all ready to fold and board. Each person in your group knows what to take, everything is neatly in the right place, and not all scattered all over... it's amazing what a minute of planning will do.

And the best part is... It creates LESS STRESS!!!

 

[NotUrsula]

Ages ago, I determined that the key to being able to fold a stroller in a hurry is to make sure that the basket underneath stays empty at any time when you are likely to need to fold it.

So ... When you leave your room headed for the bus stop, DON'T put anything in the basket beneath the stroller. Leave it clear, and carry whatever you have. If you can't carry it out of your room, you are going to have trouble carrying it on the bus. The bonus is that when you see that bus rolling up, you won't have to scramble to remove anything but baby.