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When I flew to MYK from A10 a few weeks ago, we (Group 1) were very proudly called forward first and we boarded the first bus, followed by Group 2 & 3. They then filled up the rest of the bus with a few other people which pushed Group 1, who boarded first, right down the back/front of the bus. I then got off almost last, which sort of defeats the object of Group 1 priority boarding.Originally Posted by iamfrequentlyatflyertalk
Could anyone confirm what the pre boarding process is for any of the bus gate departures. Is there a specific bus for those requiring extra time and those with infants who pre board ahead of priority boarding, or are they also crammed into the buses with the luxury of being first on last off?
So, yes, for me, crammed on. They had two busses for the entire flight, which was full. As it was MYK in June though, it was infant-free.
Im afraid the reality is that T5 is just not fit for purpose any longer. It has nowhere near enough gates and even when one is lucky enough to board by airbridge in T5A it is a chaotic experience of too many people crammed too closely together. Far too much retail (not BAs fault I accept) has left insufficient gate and circulation space, and BAs expansion with shorter and faster turnarounds to boot has only compounded the problem. As the A319s are replaced by A321s over time the problem will only get worse.
T5 promised a new era of passenger comfort when it opened in 2008 but 15 years on it makes me nostalgic for T1 and especially T4.
T5 promised a new era of passenger comfort when it opened in 2008 but 15 years on it makes me nostalgic for T1 and especially T4.
My recent trip back LHR-IAD went out of A10.
At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?
At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?
Thanks for the replies. An upcoming booking in F with an infant and Id rather hang back and be last on a bus if the worst happens and A10 is used (flight departs from that gate a lot).
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Originally Posted by HFHFFlyer
Im afraid the reality is that T5 is just not fit for purpose any longer. It has nowhere near enough gates and even when one is lucky enough to board by airbridge in T5A it is a chaotic experience of too many people crammed too closely together.
Surely a reality check is required here, do you really have to be "lucky" to get an air bridge or is that just FT hyperbole?
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At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?
I think the same point is relevant wherever you're sat on a longhaul. Nowhere will you struggle for overhead luggage space so I just don't understand the desire to get onboard quickly to spend even longer in your seat.Originally Posted by gormless
My recent trip back LHR-IAD went out of A10.At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?
Short-haul maybe, given space pressure but longhaul I aim to be amongst last handful aboard.
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Short-haul maybe, given space pressure but longhaul I aim to be amongst last handful aboard.
Originally Posted by CatchThePigeon
I think the same point is relevant wherever you're sat on a longhaul. Nowhere will you struggle for overhead luggage space so I just don't understand the desire to get onboard quickly to spend even longer in your seat.Short-haul maybe, given space pressure but longhaul I aim to be amongst last handful aboard.
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Short-haul maybe, given space pressure but longhaul I aim to be amongst last handful aboard.
Im afraid now that given the prevalence of bus gates and, as has been described up-thread, group ones being pushed to the back of the bus by everybody else and disembarking last which means they are far from first climbing the stairs to the aircraft I now sit in one Charlie with my laptop bag between my legs because the overhead bins are long full before I board. When crew come round to clear the floor area I merely now pass over my laptop bag and its up to them to find space for it. Last time it ended up on the flight deck with the captains consent. I always check in my case and put my coat in it first. Risky but what else to do?Originally Posted by CatchThePigeon
I think the same point is relevant wherever you're sat on a longhaul. Nowhere will you struggle for overhead luggage space so I just don't understand the desire to get onboard quickly to spend even longer in your seat.Short-haul maybe, given space pressure but longhaul I aim to be amongst last handful aboard.
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Surely most savvy FTers know exactly where to stand on the bus to ensure speedy alighting?Originally Posted by SxMan
Im afraid now that given the prevalence of bus gates and, as has been described up-thread, group ones being pushed to the back of the bus by everybody else and disembarking last which means they are far from first climbing the stairs to the aircraft I now sit in one Charlie with my laptop bag between my legs because the overhead bins are long full before I board. When crew come round to clear the floor area I merely now pass over my laptop bag and its up to them to find space for it. Last time it ended up on the flight deck with the captains consent. I always check in my case and put my coat in it first. Risky but what else to do?
What I find is the case is sometimes bags are badly placed in the overhead lockers. A good eye for detail and often spaces for bags can often be made. On many occasions, I've been last to board the plane whilst sitting in the exit-row window seat with a bag and case. Rotating two suitcases and asking (albeit a bit DYKWIA) and it's no longer an issue.
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or they think they do but sometimes the bus driver likes to mess with them. Yesterday our flight to SFO was gate A10. Loads of people tried to hang around the middle doors of the bus so they could be first off, we decided to sit in the two single seats up by the driver. This time the driver kept the middle doors closed and opened the front doors for boarding the plane.Originally Posted by GumshoeW12
Surely most savvy FTers know exactly where to stand on the bus to ensure speedy alighting?
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T5 promised a new era of passenger comfort when it opened in 2008 but 15 years on it makes me nostalgic for T1 and especially T4.
There are actually fewer off pier departures than there were when T5 opened than there were when it opened in 2008 thanks to T5C opening in 2012.Originally Posted by HFHFFlyer
Im afraid the reality is that T5 is just not fit for purpose any longer. It has nowhere near enough gates and even when one is lucky enough to board by airbridge in T5A it is a chaotic experience of too many people crammed too closely together. Far too much retail (not BAs fault I accept) has left insufficient gate and circulation space, and BAs expansion with shorter and faster turnarounds to boot has only compounded the problem. As the A319s are replaced by A321s over time the problem will only get worse.T5 promised a new era of passenger comfort when it opened in 2008 but 15 years on it makes me nostalgic for T1 and especially T4.
The main issue in my opinion at the A gates is that the gate agents are unwilling to fill up the queue maze well in advance of boarding, which in turn makes the gate area congested, while there remains lots of empty space directly in front of the gate.
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At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?
Depends if you're in the Neo and have lots of cabin baggage etc. In row 1 there's often not much overhead space and some is taken by crew. If you do have a large bag, then there's anxiety as you often have to use row 2's locker and if they get on before you...Originally Posted by gormless
My recent trip back LHR-IAD went out of A10.At one point during the coach ride I muttered "It's a trick - he's driving us to Gatwick!"
At least I was smart enough to hang back from the scrum - when you're going to 1A who cares if you're first on the plane?