Does announcing Gate Connection information help?

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Sep 30, 2010 | 3:47 pm
  #1  
Sometimes, the FAs will announce gate connection information before reaching the gate.

Does it actually help the passengers?
Do you pay attention to the information if you have a connecting flight?
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Sep 30, 2010 | 4:08 pm
  #2  
Yes, it does help and I do pay attention to this announcement if I have a connecting flight. I always double check monitor to make sure.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 4:08 pm
  #3  
Quote: Does it actually help the passengers?
Do you pay attention to the information if you have a connecting flight?
Yes and yes.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 4:09 pm
  #4  
I pay attention because I like to hear where everyone else is connecting.

Personally, I don't put much weight in the connecting gate information. I'm going to check the monitors when I get off the airplane for up to date information. The information the flight attendant has is out of date by the time it is read out.

For novice flyers, I would think it is very re-assuring. I just hope it doesn't give them a false sense of security thinking they can go straight to the reported gate without checking the monitors.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 4:37 pm
  #5  
Quote:
Does it actually help the passengers?
Do you pay attention to the information if you have a connecting flight?
Yes.

When I hear the connecting gate info, I am looking at the terminal map. I know where we will arrive, then can calculate which way to turn when I exit the jetbridge. Right or left.

Then, I check the first TV monitor I see to confirm the gate, and continue to check TV monitors as I walk to the connecting gate.

I keep PDF files of the DFW and ORD American Airlines terminals on my Kindle, so I can quickly look it up if the gate announcement comes while I'm reading my Kindle.

Finally: I sometimes travel with my husband, who walks with a cane. If, while on the plane, I see it's a good distance between the arrival and departure gates, I just walk right out and flag a disabled persons electric cart without having to hesitate.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 4:53 pm
  #6  
Yes and yes.

Sometimes there's no one handy when the flight lands and the nearest monitor (of course) is always in the opposite direction from where I turn.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 5:15 pm
  #7  
Asking because as someone else pointed out, the gate could've changed.

Also with many connections, it can be difficult to pay attention to which flight a person is on.

Thanks for info.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 5:44 pm
  #8  
This morning it helped me look out the window and watch as my missed connection started pushing back from the gate...
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Sep 30, 2010 | 7:48 pm
  #9  
I definitely do listen, mainly to visualize the distance to the connecting gate, but always check the monitors as well. As others have mentioned the information from the flight attendants can be outdated (and has been at least twice in my experience).
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Sep 30, 2010 | 8:12 pm
  #10  
Quote: This morning it helped me look out the window and watch as my missed connection started pushing back from the gate...
Been down that path too many times myself...at least the announcement gives me time to reach for my cell phone and call an agent for rebooking on the next flight out
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Sep 30, 2010 | 9:13 pm
  #11  
If you had asked me a while ago I would have said no, the flight paging does that for me. When we land, turn on the phone, get the arrival gate and next departure gate as text messages. It's a huge help knowing if you have to turn right or left on leaving the plane, and knowing if you are at the next gate or have to sprint across the airport.

Recently, the airlines paging systems have not been so great, mainly hit and miss. The announcements help when the message isn't coming, and because they make the announcements before you can turn on your phones, I always listen to them.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 9:27 pm
  #12  
Yes, I listen when I'm making a connection. Knowing is better then not knowing so I'd say yes, it helps.
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Sep 30, 2010 | 10:01 pm
  #13  
I kind of miss having these cabin announcements. I fly carriers that don't seem to have this anymore. I would say as an alternative, the most innovative carrier making in cabin flight connection announcements is SK. Five years ago, the flight connections were not announced on the cabin PA, but shown on the IFE video at your seat before gate arrival.
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Oct 1, 2010 | 1:14 am
  #14  
Quote: Sometimes, the FAs will announce gate connection information before reaching the gate.

Does it actually help the passengers?
Do you pay attention to the information if you have a connecting flight?
Yes, and yes.

Singapore Airlines routinely do this (actually, they put it on the screen), and I do think it's helpful.
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Oct 1, 2010 | 1:49 am
  #15  
Quote: I pay attention because I like to hear where everyone else is connecting.
It always makes me a little sad when I hear connections to Hawaii, Brazil or Thailand and I am going to Boise or St. Louis for work.

But, yes, if I am connecting I do listen. I also double check on the monitors, though.
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