When I flew on BA First some years ago - it was my first time ever in F, so I was really excited and also experienced that the FA let an F passenger (me ) go first. I think it's a nice thing for FA to do, not because it's cool or a benefit that must be extended to First class, but I appreciated it that time. It was a light F cabin that time and I think it was just this other guy and me (being a petite gal) on that flight.

It took me a while to get all my stuff ready, but the door has not opened yet, so I figure I got some time. As usual, people had begun to line up and crowd around the entrance waiting to exit.

I'm the polite sort so it was not going to kill me to wait a little bit, but bam, when the door opened, a couple of the passengers rushed out (like it's their right since they're in front of the door). Once that exodus started, it was hard for me to exit (literally one person walking closely behind another). I waited for a few passengers but none seemed courteous enough to let me cut into the lane (even though I'm at the front of the plane). I thought about cutting in too but because of the confined spaces, I thought that would just be as rude. They seemed to be in a hurry, but still, I don't have a huge luggage or mobility issues. Just thought it was really rude of the other pax.

At one point for a few seconds, I seriously thought that I may have to wait for the whole plane to get off before I can deplane. The sharp FA must have caught my dilemma as I was stuck where I was, and finally went up and unassumingly and (physically) blocked the exit flow while gesturing in a welcoming manner to let me step off first.

I wasn't in too huge of a worry since my connecting flight was a couple of hours away, but I was pretty aghast that no one was polite enough to let me cut into the traffic flow. I think I would have in the reverse situation - a couple of extra seconds isn't going to kill. It's kind of like if someone tries to exit before their row's turn. There's nothing wrong with doing it, but it's just a courtesy to let people exit row by row (front to back).

I appreciated the FA's gesture, not because I think it's a necessary benefit, but it actually allowed me to deplane (and wanting to deplane first when I'm near the front of the plane - and ready to deplane - did not seemed unreasonable to me!)