Families First
Jun 10, 2019, 4:30 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
For teenagers and up I agree with you.
Jun 10, 2019, 4:39 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,166
I have never really understood the use of this policy anyway - I am quite happy to board early when I'm travelling alone (especially if HBO and space is an issue, or for long-haul premium cabins where I can get 30-40 minutes work done before push-back) - but when I'm travelling with the kids (two under 3) we always board absolutely plum last...we always have hold luggage with the kids anyway, so HBO space is not a real issue - and the less time I have to spend on a plane with the hyperactive two year old the better for everyone!
The idea of boarding extra early 'for the kids' just confuses me
The idea of boarding extra early 'for the kids' just confuses me
Jun 10, 2019, 4:43 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 389
Having benefited from boarding early when travelling with ankle-biters, I'm in favour of the policy. But, there does appear to be occasions when some staff dont get the memo. On a recent long haul flight the gate agents called for "families with children" to proceed with one agent actively walking around the gate area seeking out candidates. It became farcical when they began grabbing family groups with "children" taller than their parents and inviting them to board, some of whom looked older than me.
Jun 10, 2019, 4:57 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
As a father of a 2 and now just 6 year old, I feel that 5 is the max age the youngest kid should be for early boarding.
After that theres no real need for special requirements and they’re not going to get in the way of other boarding pax
After that theres no real need for special requirements and they’re not going to get in the way of other boarding pax
Jun 10, 2019, 5:00 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,166
right...but with infants you cannot book the exit row anyway, so the small bag you need for bottles etc. just goes under the seat in front? I don't find even having it in the locker above my seat is much good since you then end up jumping up and down about 60 times a flight to get XYZ, plus you're in a pickle if baby needs a bottle or similar whilst the seat belt signs are on...?
Jun 10, 2019, 5:40 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265
(I will admit to encouraging a few people who have relatively active elderly parents with language issues to have them book wheelchair assistance if they have to deal with connecting flights in confusing hubs)
Jun 10, 2019, 9:20 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: BA exec, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 556
Stay in the lounge as long as possible, arrive at the gate 21 minutes before departure, and all of the children (small or otherwise) are already out of the way. Pick a seat in an exit row, so there is a 0% chance of a child sitting next to you. Use noise-isolating earphones as soon as the safety video is over. I love flying! ^
Jun 10, 2019, 11:19 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 622
Contrast that to other AAirlines that have a looser policy in this area:
Taken from a flight this past weekend. Would never swing on BA!
Jun 10, 2019, 11:53 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,269
And then did they need wheelchairs getting off the plane as well or was this one of those ‘miracle flights’ where plane travel seems to cure many a disability as folks who fly New York City-Florida know well?
(I will admit to encouraging a few people who have relatively active elderly parents with language issues to have them book wheelchair assistance if they have to deal with connecting flights in confusing hubs)
Jun 10, 2019, 12:49 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
As my username suggests, we have 4 children (aged between 1 and 7 incl twins). We are flying all together for the first time next Feb. (with another airline alas). However, my wife's preference is for us to be LAST on. We want as little time cooped up and without boredom having set in before we have even set off. Indeed, it's probably easier for others to get boarded without having little ones roaming into the aisles tripping them up.
Are we the only ones that feel this way? Is it more for the airline's benefit (can take a while getting belted up perhaps, and getting that buggy in the hold)
Are we the only ones that feel this way? Is it more for the airline's benefit (can take a while getting belted up perhaps, and getting that buggy in the hold)
I couldn't believe it the first time I sat in an exit row on AA and saw a deadheading crew shove her giant bag under the seat! I guess every airline has their own strange policies.
Jun 10, 2019, 2:46 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,733
Could've just meant that all the wheelchairs weren't there yet which has happened multiple times to my family and I, including last month when it took 45 minutes at ORD to get any wheelchairs at the plane.
Jun 10, 2019, 3:24 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BA GGL, UA Premier Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Various Rental Car Statuses
Posts: 104
The question is whether you want your bags to be within grabbing distance. If you are sat at a bassinet/bulkhead seat, then you can't have anything on the floor, everything needs to go into the overhead lockers. On a full flight, if you board last, there's a very good chance that the lockers by your seat will be full, so you're going to be separated from your belongings. Unless you happily put your assorted belongings around the aircraft asap, and get the kids strapped down, then you're possibly going to be the ones not sat down when the aircraft needs to push back. (All that was witnessed first hand a few flights ago. Clearly they had run for a tight connection, so didn't plan on being last on, but the result was the same).
I couldn't believe it the first time I sat in an exit row on AA and saw a deadheading crew shove her giant bag under the seat! I guess every airline has their own strange policies.
I couldn't believe it the first time I sat in an exit row on AA and saw a deadheading crew shove her giant bag under the seat! I guess every airline has their own strange policies.
Jun 10, 2019, 3:59 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
I'm fairly sure in a crash those bags will not still be neatly tucked underneath the seat in front.....
Jun 10, 2019, 4:29 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,984
I fully understand the logic of boarding families with young children first, but this should be limited to babies and very young children. From age 6/7 onwards, I don't think kids slow you or others down.