The "advantage" of boarding first?
Nov 10, 2008 | 10:11 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,811
Americans carry on as much as possible because (A) checked baggage handling is so erratic and prone to loss / theft / delay, and (B) airline employees rarely enforce the posted limits. When airlines board by zones or elite status, the last 50+ pax on a full flight are liable to find no bin space remaining. An aisle-seat, no-status passenger in a rear row on United Airlines, for example, is practically guaranteed to find no bin space and be forced to check his/her bag. Not good if you are traveling with computers or valuables.
Nov 10, 2008 | 11:20 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
The passenger (2 rows behind) was just trying to squeeze his oversize bag in and was only turning my bag sideways. It was the FA who actually moved my bag one bin forward. And I wasn't going to argue with a FA. Frankly, I was more concerned about that big heavy oversize bag being dropped on my head.
Nov 10, 2008 | 11:22 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 1,510
Why do people reflexively bounce out of their seats and cram into each other in the aisle, rather than sit comfortably for the 5-10 minutes it takes for their row to eventually deplane?
Nov 10, 2008 | 11:41 am
#20
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,186
Nov 10, 2008 | 11:54 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 858
I usually travel with only a backpack, small enough to fit under the seat in front or in any small space that I can find, unless I am lucky enough to get the bulkhead, otherwise, the carryone would never get checked, unlike the standard rollaboards that many use, if there isn't space, you can't find space for those.
Nov 10, 2008 | 12:02 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,736
So unless you are going for bin space or your first class pre-departure drink, board at the end.....
Nov 10, 2008 | 3:03 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
I always try to board as soon as I can to to get comfortable and to stow my bag(s). If another passenger comes on later and tries to move my bag(s) I tell them to not touch my bag(s). I fly enough to know how to place my luggage to not take up unnecessary room. I will not move my bag(s) I board early so they are near me not somewhere else on the plane.
Nov 10, 2008 | 3:31 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: AS | MAR
Posts: 138
No reason to check my bags when I can fit everything I need for any trip within the allowed carryon baggage dimensins... Although my rolling duffel is large enough that I do benefit from hitting the overhead bins first
Nov 11, 2008 | 11:26 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 18
The passenger ahead of me in boarding was stopped by the gate agent. She assessed his bulky rollerboard, laptop/briefcase and suit bag. She told him he had to gate check the suitbag at the end of the jetway and filled out the paperwork. As he walked down the jetway he was loudly muttering bulls---! When out of site of the GA, he tore up the form, stuffed it in his pocket and stolled on the plane as if nothing had happened. What's an airline to do?
Nov 11, 2008 | 3:41 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: CO
Posts: 238
I don't presume to speak for anyone else, but even after a 3-4 hour flight, my lower back is in spasms and I simply can't wait to stretch out my spine.
Nov 11, 2008 | 5:23 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA LT Gold; BA Silver; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,103
My Daddy the Frequent Flyer from decades ago told me you never have a confirmed seat till you're sitting in it. Just in case the airline happens to give away a seat twice, I want to be the first one sitting in mine.
Nov 11, 2008 | 7:30 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Jose
Programs: DL Gold CRC, Avis First
Posts: 81
Sometimes when I unbuckle my seatbelt I'm propelled into the aisle by the weight challenged individual that has been applying preassure to my side for the entire flight.