"beat the system" tip #32: how to ride the plane on a transporter
#1
Original Poster
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
"beat the system" tip #32: how to ride the plane on a transporter
Sometimes passengers are taken across the tarmac in a motorized transporter. If this happens to you, before entering try to determine wheter it is a LIFO (i.e. Last-In-First-Out) or a FIFO (i.e. First-In-First-Out) model.
Most airport standing-only transporters with large doors in the middle are LIFO models (hang back during loading and get on only at the last moment).
When encountering FIFO transporters (usually ones with a primary entrance next to the driver and lots of seats on a long aisle), get in as quickly as possible and sitnear the front.
(from the the airline Passenger's Guerilla handbook, ISBN0-924022-04-3)
Most airport standing-only transporters with large doors in the middle are LIFO models (hang back during loading and get on only at the last moment).
When encountering FIFO transporters (usually ones with a primary entrance next to the driver and lots of seats on a long aisle), get in as quickly as possible and sitnear the front.
(from the the airline Passenger's Guerilla handbook, ISBN0-924022-04-3)
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Chicago, IL (2 miles from ORD)
Posts: 660
Washington Dullas is full of those transorters...I absolutely despise them.
But what is even worse is to have to board a plane by outdoor stairs during the rain.
Thanks for the tip. I wonder if 1st class or elite members get a special shuttle so they get to board first?
But what is even worse is to have to board a plane by outdoor stairs during the rain.
Thanks for the tip. I wonder if 1st class or elite members get a special shuttle so they get to board first?
#3
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
I don't think there are special transporters
for first or business class flyers (At least
from my experiences. Correct me if I'm wrong folks... but at Dulles, OLD Hong Kong
airport, Beijing first class rode with everyone else in the crowded buses... I hate
them because flyers are packed in and tall
guys like me hit my head going in and out and when the "busses" hit every pothole and
jump!)
On an unrelated topic... Air Canada's elite
AeroPlan members get special baggage handling
at Toronto's airport and a separate section
to pick up their bags and get to customs
faster.
for first or business class flyers (At least
from my experiences. Correct me if I'm wrong folks... but at Dulles, OLD Hong Kong
airport, Beijing first class rode with everyone else in the crowded buses... I hate
them because flyers are packed in and tall
guys like me hit my head going in and out and when the "busses" hit every pothole and
jump!)
On an unrelated topic... Air Canada's elite
AeroPlan members get special baggage handling
at Toronto's airport and a separate section
to pick up their bags and get to customs
faster.
#4
Original Poster
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
sometimes first/class and business get a special bus (the first one leaving) when deboarding. The Steward/-ess will give the driver a sign when all business people have deboarded.
sometimes users of first-class lounges get special bus treatment too, when accompanied by a concierge.
sometimes users of first-class lounges get special bus treatment too, when accompanied by a concierge.
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 6,932
Thai Airways passengers traveling First Class to LAX from Bangkok get escorted from the (wonderful) Royal Orchid Lounge directly to a special shuttle that takes them to a special stairway that goes directly into the door between First and Business. You need never lay eyes upon a coach passenger.

