squeakr

On the most recent flights I've been on, FA's have requested that pax with tight connections raise their hands and be allowed to exit first, and NO ONE in the forward rows complied. And it wasn't like 40 people raised their hands - in all cases, there were just 5-6 people ready to go to make a connection after our inbound was late.

zarkov505

Sometimes we have a tight connection, just like you.

About a year ago, I had a scheduled tight connection in SFO. To make it worse, the CX flight out of HKG was an hour late departing.

The CX FAs and ground crew arranged things so that I was the FIRST person off that airplane, for an escorted power walk through immigration and customs and security re-check to the connecting gate. Cane and all.

Reisen

For the sake of simplicity, let's take economy class only, in a 3-3 configuration.

As it stands now, after the plane pulls into the gate, about 1/2 to 2/3 of the people in aisles get up, and start pulling their bags down, putting on their jackets, etc.

As it stands, after row 1 has cleared, the rest of the plane has to wait for the person in 2A to scoot over to the aisle, open the bin (if not open), pull their bag down, and deplane.

That creates gaps every time a middle and window has to get their stuff out of the overhead.

If instead, we first let all those people already standing in the aisle deplane, the people in the middle or window seat in the rear, could stand up and start getting their bags ready as the line moved forward (ie. as the aisle cleared). Basically, as the line moved forward, you'd have people standing up to get their stuff. There would only be two short waits, as the line waited for the people in the middle and window in rows 1 & 2 each time you switched from aisle to middle, and then middle to window.

I recognize there are all kinds of problems with this, including that people wouldn't wait, and would just try to follow the line out, blocking the aisle for the people in front of them. Also, families would need to get out together.

But in a perfect scenario, with everyone traveling alone, and following the rules, it seems the most efficient.

CDTraveler

Talk about feeling entitled!

You have no right to assume you know why other people might be in a rush. How do you know they don't have tight connections, appointments, meetings, or urgent medical issues?

You don't. You don't know diddly about them other than they fall in a category you clearly don't like.

I'd venture to guess they probably don't much like the pushy "businessman" who shoves by and gives them dirty looks for daring to fly.

emcat

I think me too. Unfortunately in this instance, dealing with the police would have meant missing the last flight of the day MIA-BOS. Although this was an exception, I was more interested in getting home that day than in earning the additional miles for JFK-MIA-BOS. I had even considered renting a car and abandoning the rescheduled JFK-BOS segment.

I guess the additional RDMs did make the punch feel a bit less painful after the fact though.

ronin308

To the OP, there is no "Right to exit in ones turn", in fact there is no defined exit process on any of the airlines I've flown on. Attempting to "preserve" one's right by physically blocking a person has the potential to escalate in to violence and is as reprehensible a behavior as the original person pushing and shoving to get off.

gfunkdave

So much passive aggression in this thread!

wharvey

At the end of the day, I make no assumptions about a person's need to get off a plane quickly... it could be any reasons. As long as they are polite and reasonable, I could care less... and hope I can help them get off the plane sooner.

The only time I have an issue is when they are rude and have no consideration for others. At that point, I will not do anything to stop them... but I may not go out of my way to assist them in their needs.

I am personally amazed at how much courtesy goes out the door when people are in confined spaces.

Ancien Maestro

I find that its not any faster to get off the plane first. We all have to wait for checked bags to appear on the carousel.. unless no checked bags. But what's the rush.

Our family often take our time.. get off the plane and take a bathroom break before proceeding to the luggage carousel.

If everyone thinks about it, those who enter the plane first and leaves the plane first, all spend just about as much time on the plane as everyone else.

What's the motivation of getting on the plane first? We aren't going to arrive any faster to the destination by doing so. Relax and enjoy the flight..

RooseveltL

Another role model of a parent. I have no objection to the amount of goods a parent/family has to bring onto a plane as I have typically one knapsack or briefcase, so they can use my space and I'll help lift their items, etc.
However, I am traveling light so shouldn't be stuck behind the Brady Bunch or Nadya Suleman (and her herd) on deboarding because it is inconsiderate to other passengers.

A kid is a kid - nothing can be done about boredom while flying besides maybe not take Jr (age 2) to DisneyWorld as he might not remember the trip whatsoever.

Badenoch

Exactly. Why do the easily-affronted believe they can say and do anything to anyone wherever and whenever without risking further consequences?

Sticking your knees into the aisle is a great technique right up until someone plants his foot into the side of your knee or just leans over and elbows you in the face.

Yes, you can hobble to the FA or the police but the months spent getting your knee or jaw reconstructed won't be worth it. And if you are seen to have escalated a confrontation your assailant may not face any legal consequences and don't expect complete strangers to rally to your side as witnesses.

Is it really worth the bother?

gpf590

I'm surprised no one has mentioned deplaning in certain Asian countries. What goes on here is nothing compared to the pushing and shoving in Asia!

WillCAD

I always sit in a window seat, so I'm always trapped by the middle and aisle seat occupants. And if any of them happen to be the patient type who won't even stand up to get their bags from the overhead until the rows in front of them start moving, then I'm stuck. I'm too tall to stand under the overhead without bending in half at the waist.

I often sit in a row toward the rear of the cabin, so I know I'm going to be one of the last off the plane anyway, and that relieves the pressure. I just arrange my in-seat/underseat carry-on items till the others in my row are out of their seats, then I grab my bag from the overhead and start marching.

Funny thing is, being a mildly obsessive/compulsive personality, I could easily grab my stuff and be off the plane before most people were even unbuckled, if I were in aisle seats in 1 or 2. But I hate bulkheads, and I hate aisles, so I kind of have to make my own bed and lie in it.

My last flight was the first time I've sat in a row near the front of the cabin in years. I was in 4A, but 4B was empty, and the guy in 4C was with his family who were across the aisle. I was able to stand up in the middle and pull my bag out of the overhead, and the guy in 4C got into the aisle with his family reasonably quickly, so I was off the plane in under 5 minutes. It usually takes me close to 15 from the back of the cabin.

But this whole issue is just one of many reasons why A) I always fly non-stop, and B) I feel that anyone who books a tight connection is a fool. Tight connections due to unexpected delays are out of your control, but intentionally booking a connection of less than 60 minutes is just dumb. Personally, if I couldn't fly non-stop, I wouldn't book a connection of less than 90 minutes.

Passive?

exbayern

You've obviously never connected at MUC, where connections can easily be made in minutes, and even bus gate to bus gate can be made in under 20 minutes.

I was in intra-Europe C on a LH flight last year when a woman came rushing up the aisle during taxi and sat in the front row. The FA and I had a good laugh as we both knew that we would end up at the bus gate.

At least the woman was first off, only to board the bus first and find herself blocked in when we reached the bus parking, so was probably one of the last off...

rebr

I know plenty of airports where 60 minutes is more then enough. I actually prefer short connections so I waste no time waiting. Most of the times I have a "short" connection I still end up waiting at the gate.