People trying to beat you off the plane

[MaryKatesMom]

Has this happened to anyone else?

On my last two flights on Delta, as soon as the plane stopped at the gate, the people in the seat behind me stood up and got in the aisle blocking my exit. We were toward the back of the plane so they stood there for awhile. Other than shoving them, there was no way for me to exit without letting them by us.

It was so childish! I was particularly irritated because my two DD's 7&5 where across the aisle and they were standing between us.

Should I have said something? What would you say if this happened to you?

I tried to talk myself out of getting mad "Let it go Louis." but it just peeved me terribly.

 

[inkkognito]

I would let it go, as it's not worth raising your blood pressure over. If it was in a situation where saying something would help (i.e. someone cutting in front of you in a line), that's different...on a plane, the end result doesn't matter too much.
But I know exactly what you mean; I am a frequent flyer and have seen people push and shove like they think they're evacuating for an emergency. Fortunately, the majority of people exit in an orderly, row by row fashion, but there is always the "Me First" mentality crowd.
Barb

 

[krdisneybound]

I would just let it go. The same thing has happened to me quite a few times. I just stat in my seat until almost everyone is off That way I have no problems being pushed or someone trying to get by me/us. If you have luggage to pick up, your luggage will most probably be waiting for you on the carousel and you won't have to wait for it and all the "pushers" are mostly gone. No hassle or fuss.

 

[Niagara2]

It seems to happen each flight. I love when they end up waiting at baggage claim with us and we get our luggage right away and they are still waiting. It is rude. We are all going to the same place. Geez. I don't say anything

 

[seashoreCM]

, as soon as the plane stopped at the gate, the people in the seat behind me stood up and got in the aisle blocking my exit. We were toward the back of the plane so they stood there for awhile. Other than shoving them, there was no way for me to exit without letting them by us..

What would you have gained by shoving them aside to get by them?

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

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think only because they were standing between me and my young kids would of I said something along the lines of excuse me, I need to help my children. (In my case I wouldn't have to because my DD would be plastered to my leg, she can be a little clingly in "new" situations and doesn't like strangers.)

However I agree it is really rude and bothersome. You seem to see people like that in many different situations. Like getting off the plane 3 people ahead of where they would of been makes a big difference the the whole day. Rather like people who blow through traffic lights just to get stopped a few miles down the line at the next one. However letting it burn you up only makes their issue now yours. Just think how happy you are NOT to be like them. Must bite to be them (in such a major hurry all the time, stop and enjoy life a little.)

 

[AllyBri]

Maybe they have to get to the restroom (some pax won't use the one the the plane) or they may have a connecting flight.

 

[AllyBri]

I think only because they were standing between me and my young kids would of I said something along the lines of excuse me, I need to help my children.


I would say this in a heartbeat.
Excuse me I need to be with my children.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

It could also be that after a long flight, they just wanted to stand up, so they could stretch their legs a little. I CAN stand up in my row, but I have to duck, and it ends up being even more uncomfortable. If you stand in the aisle, you don't have this problem.

 

[bicker]

That's a good point: Aircraft are, as a rule, uncomfortable. I have DDD, and sitting for 20-30 minutes during landing becomes painful. I must stand as soon as the airplane stops. I generally have no problem, though, standing by my own row. The only reason I'd move forward is if someone else in my row asked me to move forward. If there was space, I surely would -- that person could be in as much pain as I.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Unfortunately, there are people that don't care if you need to be with your children.

Last year we just made our switched flight just before the airport closed before Hurricane Frances. It was chaotic: highways were backed up, lines were huge, and we were chosen to be searched at the gate. When we finally made it onto our SWA flight there were very few seats left.

DH amazingly found two seats together down the very back of the plane for himself and DS6. DS sat down while DH stood to put the carry on in the overhead compartment. While DH was doing that a young woman came from behind DH and took the seat next to my DS, despite there being one seat a row or two back. My DH told her that it was his seat and other passengers also chimed in saying "hey, that man was sitting with his son"! Unbelievably, this woman put her headphones on and ignored everyone! DS was afraid and began to cry - this woman still would not move. Nice, huh? Luckily, a kind woman offered to switch her seat so DH could at least be across the aisle from DS.

 

[bicker]

A very strong argument for all assigned-and-reserved seating. I don't understand why folks put up with Southwest's refusal.

 

[seashoreCM]

DH amazingly found two seats together down the very back of the plane for himself and DS6. DS sat down while DH stood to put the carry on in the overhead compartment. While DH was doing that a young woman came from behind DH and took the seat next to my DS, despite there being one seat a row or two back. My DH told her that it was his seat and other passengers also chimed in saying "hey, that man was sitting with his son"! : Luckily, a kind woman offered to switch her seat so DH could at least be across the aisle from DS.

Was DH's intended seat the aisle seat? If so DS should have sat in that aisle seat temporarily sinct that seat is on average more desirable.

Was the kind woman across the same aisle? If so DS should have felt free to or even made an extra effort to talk across the younr woman to DS and also hand things back and forth. And even get up and appropriate the arm rest for DS as needed.

Rather like people who blow through traffic lights just to get stopped a few miles down the line at the next one.

OT: Often enough they do not get stopped a few miles down the line and you, going slower do. The way most traffic lights are still these days, it is still true that on average the faster you drive the faster you get there. PM me and I can explain in more detail rather than bore everyone else eavesdropping who preferred to take my word for it.

August 2004 -- Coronado Springs. Purpose of trip, to attend Institute of Transportation Engineers' convention. Used annual pass to get better rate than the convention offered.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Was DH's intended seat the aisle seat? If so DS should have sat in that aisle seat temporarily sinct that seat is on average more desirable.

If you could see my DH he is built like a football player - 6 ft and very muscular. It's a running joke among family and friends you wouldn't want to mess with him, LOL. This woman literally ducked under him to grab the seat. Nobody would have ever thought someone would do such a thing, but I guess in the future we'll have to keep this in mind since we do otherwise love SWA.

Was the kind woman across the same aisle? If so DS should have felt free to or even made an extra effort to talk across the younr woman to DS and also hand things back and forth. And even get up and appropriate the arm rest for DS as needed.

I get your point and had it been me she would not have had a pleasant flight (that's assuming I hadn't been arrested for pulling her out of her seat ). We do try to teach our kids, though, that two wrongs don't make a right, and DS learned a lesson that day about lack of concern for others which he still talks about to this day. In fact, we've gotten a lot of mileage out of that story with our kids (pun intended).

 

[DisneyPhD]

OT: Often enough they do not get stopped a few miles down the line and you, going slower do. The way most traffic lights are still these days, it is still true that on average the faster you drive the faster you get there. PM me and I can explain in more detail rather than bore everyone else eavesdropping who preferred to take my word for it.

All I know is they drive like jerks, blow through lights and a half mile up we are sitting at the same red light. Sure sometimes it works for you, most of the time not (especailly if you get in an accident. )

Pea-n-me. I would of called the flight atendent. (Or given my child free rain to be as obnoxious as possible. But then again I haven't flown SW in 7 years or more. I am one who has had enough of them and just don't fly them any more (plus they don't have a non stop from DTW to MCO so it isn't really a good option for me. However we had an issue on NW a few years ago when we were not able to get asigned seats together. The young man next to my DD was more then happy to swicth with DH so he didn't have to sit next to a 4 year old! (we were lucky.)

As far as standing goes, stand next to your own seat and everyone is happy.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Pea-n-me. I would of called the flight atendent.

I'm sure had we not been in the midst of a major hurricane evacuation he would have. Conditions were extremely stressful at the time, MCO was getting ready to close. He saw they were busy attending to other, more important things, so he didn't want to bother them with this particular issue.

 

[DMRick]

A very strong argument for all assigned-and-reserved seating. I don't understand why folks put up with Southwest's refusal.

Because I love love love paying $49 each way to Florida. Non assigned seats mean the airplane takes off faster and there is more turnaround. SW has given some consideration to this, and may go to assigned seating..but I'm afraid it will hit me in my pocketbook. In most instances, people don't have a problem sitting together. When there were 5 of us, we made sure SW knew there were two children and recognized the importance of my daughter sitting with them. The flight attendant saved seats together. They were way in the back, but so what, they were together. A lot of people book on line and SW doens't realize they have children..so be sure you let them know, if it looks like a full plane. I've seen them give a preboarding pass even though the child is oler than the preboarding age, if it's a full plane and it looks like kids and a parent might not sit together.

 

[bicker]

Because I love love love paying $49 each way to Florida.

Fair enough -- price over service, regardless the ramifications. I guess I can intellectually understand that, even if I cannot identify with it.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I'm sure had we not been in the midst of a major hurricane evacuation he would have. Conditions were extremely stressful at the time, MCO was getting ready to close. He saw they were busy attending to other, more important things, so he didn't want to bother them with this particular issue.

I can understand that. Glad it did work out ok. Man the nerve of that women. Like the other seat would of made any difference for her. Even if it would of (like she needed an isle seat. If she would of mention that I am sure someone whould of swicthed with her. I swear if I was sitting behind her it would be the one time I would like my kid kick a seat!.

In my expeince Spirit has as good of prices, better schdule (non stop from DTW many times a day) and better policies (electronitc tickets, can set your seats on line, ) then SW anyway. 49 is good, but I paid 69 and for non stop and the piece of mind Spirit gives me I would fly them any day over SW. However if I lived near a SW hub I might consider it (only maybe, buy never say never.) The show Airline has really bought to my attention all the reasons I never fly SW. Over booking is an major issue also. With all the troubles they have trying to reagrange things I don't see how it saves them money.

 

[seashoreCM]

I think only because they were standing between me and my young kids would of I said something along the lines of excuse me, I need to help my children.

I would say this in a heartbeat.
Excuse me I need to be with my children. :

In fewer than 1,263 heartbeats (approximately ten minutes) and you too are quite pushy. Were your children suddenly in dire need of help the instant the plane reached zero MPH?