United changing how they board.

[sam_gordon]

I wish the overhead bins would not be a free for all. Like for a 3 slot bin over 3 seats - it is for the passengers of those 3 seats. People throwing their carryon in the first available bin - no.

The problem is that "3 slot bin" probably covers at least a row and half if not two rows. So there are 4-6 travelers who could "lay claim" to a slot in the bin, that only fits 3.

Yes, I know some aircraft have the new style, deeper bins that fits 4-6 rollaboards, but not all of them do.

 

[ParrotBill]

So many boarding issues would be fixed if they would just police people boarding with too much, and putting too much in the overhead. stronger reminders with boarding announcements. One attendant mid cabin reminding people. ONE bag in overhead only, smaller bag and coats under seat.

Watch for those common problems: overstuffed shopping bags. Tubes, umbrellas, and above all: People with two suitcases. I see these all the time.

What amazes me is how long it takes for some people to sit down! I drop my small bag in my seat, throw the other in the overhead, and sit. Don't reorganize standing in the aisle!

 

[jimmymc]

United has been doing a version of this for years, so I'm not sure what the big change will be. Outside-in has always been a better boarding method than back to front. Even totally random is slightly better than back to front.

Either way, it will only do so much as long as airlines continue to charge for checked bags. They'd actually have better turnaround times if they offered one free checked bag and charged for carry-ons, which is why Spirit and Frontier charge more for carry-ons than your first checked bag.

Lots of info in this video here, but the basic summary is that people trying to stow bags are the number one reason why boarding takes so long.

 

[DVCjj]

We get free checked UA/AA bags and yet still far prefer to drag a heavy carryon always. (Adult daughter/husband fling up into bin).

Until the airlines (yes YOU, United) have no lost / careless luggage system, I will continue to not check bags.
I’ve played the lost luggage game too many times.

And no, I do NOT approve of children/families automatically sitting together to the detriment of others. If important (understandably) to you, then buy your tickets EARLY, CHOOSE your desired/needed seats and PAY extra if you have to. (As we always do). I never expect others to suffer at my benefit. Not fair at all.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I love these guys. The substitute teacher one is gold.

 

[RedHead0186]

So many boarding issues would be fixed if they would just police people boarding with too much, and putting too much in the overhead. stronger reminders with boarding announcements. One attendant mid cabin reminding people. ONE bag in overhead only, smaller bag and coats under seat.

Southwest does this, and I still see people putting shopping bags, backpacks, coats, etc. in the overhead bin. They specifically announce/ask (repeatedly) that people to put those items under the seat in front of them, and so many people do it anyway.

Yes, some of the people putting those items up above may have a different item under the seat in front of them. But, from a boarding perspective, having those smaller items in the bins take time as people need to 'work around' them to put their bags up above.

 

[RedHead0186]

And no, I do NOT approve of children/families automatically sitting together to the detriment of others. If important (understandably) to you, then buy your tickets EARLY, CHOOSE your desired/needed seats and PAY extra if you have to. (As we always do). I never expect others to suffer at my benefit. Not fair at all.

I typically agree that a lack of planning on one's part does not constitute an emergency on my part. But, there are also circumstances in which that's not possible. One being a family emergency/funeral in which a family can only buy tickets a few days ahead of time.

 

[GroguAndStitch]

The common advice is to bring everything for the first 24 hours with you on the plane, not to save checked baggage fees, but in case your checked luggage gets lost or misdirected.

I don't get charged to check a bag, yet still bring on a carry on in addition to my backpack. First, it all but eliminates luggage getting misdirected. Second, I don't have to wait at my destination for luggage to come out on the belt.

When Mythbusters tested it, back to front boarding was actually the slowest, but a significant margin.

I wonder why this was. It doesnt seem logical to me why it would take longer.

 

[jo-jo]

I think they should let anyone who doesn't need overhead bin space board first.

That was us until DH started to use cpap and needed a half step to get into SUVs. That we have to put in overhead. I always took a backpack and DH a roll type gym bag. Fit under seat. Carried change of clothes, fleece jacket, meds.

 

[Jimsig]

I love these guys. The substitute teacher one is gold.

July Bee Ren do you know A A Ron?

 

[DVCjj]

I typically agree that a lack of planning on one's part does not constitute an emergency on my part. But, there are also circumstances in which that's not possible. One being a family emergency/funeral in which a family can only buy tickets a few days ahead of time.

If an emergency, they should be allowed to do what's necessary IF they have proof of said emergency.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

July Bee Ren do you know A A Ron?

Is there a De-nice here?

 

[fly girl]

I don't care how you slice it, dice, or mix it up - boarding just plain sucks. Over my years we tried at least 4 different ways of boarding and it never changed the speed because as PP said, it all down to the people boarding.

You get a plane full of DC business men and women on a Friday afternoon going home, that boarding is a well oiled machine. They know what they are doing and get it done. The only slow down was for all the on ground cocktails in first class.

On the other hand, you get any flight to Orlando that thing is moving at a snails pace. Confused looks, not knowing if A is the window or aisle, kids out of control, it's a hot mess express.

I wish the overhead bins would not be a free for all. Like for a 3 slot bin over 3 seats - it is for the passengers of those 3 seats. People throwing their carryon in the first available bin - no.

I agree that would be nice, especially the people who are sitting way back in row 32 but throw their bags in row 18, like why? Ugh!

However, the reason they don't is because some overhead bins are taken up with emergency equipment. And those bins vary from aircraft to aircraft. Too many factors come into play to have them designated.

 

[Jimsig]

Is there a De-nice here?

No Jakequaline here?

Balakay, where is Balakay at?

 

[SkyGuy]

July Bee Ren do you know A A Ron?

DS’ bf is Aaron, so you know what we all call him in this household now.

 

[Boopuff]

We're all pre-sent!!!

 

[musicguy856]

I agree that would be nice, especially the people who are sitting way back in row 32 but throw their bags in row 18, like why? Ugh!

I’d be worried about someone farther up taking my bag accidentally at the end of my flight. I’ll never understand why people want to put their bag so far away from them if they have a choice.

 

[jimmymc]

I’d be worried about someone farther up taking my bag accidentally at the end of my flight. I’ll never understand why people want to put their bag so far away from them if they have a choice.

It's because you never know what's available near you. And once you're at the back of the plane, you can't make it forward again.

 

[jimmymc]

Ironically, Spirit actually has some of the smoothest boarding procedures. Because paying for a carry on actually costs more than a checked bag, very few people have them. Spirit lets all of them go first, then people who paid for faster boarding, and finally the other three groups. By the time they're on the regular groups, everyone just has a hand bag and gets to their seats quickly.

Boarding will continue to suck as long as airlines charge for checked bags, which I've seen as high as $75 one way.

 

[fly girl]

Ironically, Spirit actually has some of the smoothest boarding procedures. Because paying for a carry on actually costs more than a checked bag, very few people have them. Spirit lets all of them go first, then people who paid for faster boarding, and finally the other three groups. By the time they're on the regular groups, everyone just has a hand bag and gets to their seats quickly.

Boarding will continue to suck as long as airlines charge for checked bags, which I've seen as high as $75 one way.

Boarding always sucked, even before they started charging for checked bags.

You frequently hear gate agents offering to check your bag for free to expedite the boarding process. Many people don't take the offer because they don't want to wait for their bags at their final destination.