SeniorChief

Interesting, this is the exact same tactic that I use. Same seat also... Now I know who is taking my seat when I can't get it

1cericks

Got 3 of those. So all I need is to gain some weight, look bored, and cop an attitude and I'll be a 1K.

violist

For me, one factor - a carryon plus personal item or just a carryon.

In the former case, I board reasonably early (unless I'm in the super
luxurious RCC and forget) so I have room for the carryon;

in the latter, as late as possible.

HonestABE

None of the legacies - especially UA - has resolved the schizophrenic "tastes great, less filling" dichotomy of their business models.

On one hand, they need to fill seats, so they aggressively price to appeal to the "leisure" traveler. On the other hand, they lust after the higher-yield business traveler and other less-price-sensitive travelers by offering perks and bonuses.

In my view, the price sensitive traveler has little to complain about - air travel is relatively cheap, and clearly more affordable than a generation ago. The class envy that may accompany the deferential treatment given to higher yield/more frequent (status holding) travelers gets no sympathy from me.

Many things in life - in fact, I would say most things in life - are relationship-based. The stronger, the deeper, the longer the relationship, the more we expect to be treated better by the other party. And why not? If I demonstrate sustained loyalty via my patronage - whether it be to a plumber, a car dealer, an employer, whatever - I believe I have a reasonable expectation that that loyalty will be acknowledged in some way.

Anyone in business will tell you that, in virtually all cases, it is far less expensive to retain an existing customer (via some tangible acknowledgment of their loyalty) than to replace that customer with a new customer.

The red rug is a visible reminder of this reality.

As for me, I certainly don't crowd the red rug, but I do make sure I'm close when boarding commences. I'm one of those Row 1 types. Not only have I found oxygen tanks and safety equipment in the overheads by Row 1, I have often found crew carry-ons in those bins as well. Having to store my gear several rows back is both inconvenient (going against the flow on arrival), but also less secure - especially since I never check anything of value.

On a recent flight DEN-IAD, I had stored my stuff and comfortably settled in Row 1. Shortly before the doors closed, a gentleman (who turned out to be my seatmate) boarded with two large bags. He saw no space in the bins near Row 1, so he proceeded to remove my rollerboard and laptop case, and was about to carry them to a bin several rows aft when I politely inquired what he was doing. He looked at me sheepishly and said, "Oh, this is your stuff? Sorry." He ended up placing his stuff in the aft bin (with the assistance of a now justifiably annoyed FA). Needless to say, my seatmate and I didn't converse much during the flight.

magiciansampras

Get out of here! What do you do if that seat is taken when booking??

KSinNYC

I love love love the Red Carpet. I get to the gate early, stand on the non-RC line and read my book. I don't have to listen for Group 1 announcements, I don't have to keep looking up to keep an eye on what's going on. I just wait until the GA opens my side of the line and I board.

And to answer your question... what's the difference if I sit in a chair or on the floor? It's all the same...

asya999

For me, it's not about the carpet, and it's not about the carry-on (I usually manage to find room for my stuff), and usually it's not about not waiting in the too hot or too cold jetway.

When I'm not UG on transcons I always try to get on first to get a blanket and a pillow. In F there's one of each for each seat, but in Y it's usually one per row if we're lucky.

I'd bring my own and board late, but then I wouldn't be able to travel with a little bag!

JLaw725

The only time I line up on the carpet early is when I'm on a small plane in F, especially row 1. If I'm on 757 or above, I'll line up about 5 min before boarding, especially if I checked bags...which is rare.

As others have mentioned, it can be a real hassle if you board late and the overhead space is gone.

lucky9876coins

FWIW I usually board about 15 minutes into the boarding process, usually with a 22", and have NEVER had a problem, and that's everywhere from a 747 to a 737. Usually I find an open spot in F, and if I don't I start rearranging bags and it ends up fine. The only reason for me to go to the gate early is to watch the people ont he red carpet, some quality entertainment.

Seriously though folks, especially if you're flying F, there is NO EXCUSE whatsoever for their not being overheard bin space in the F cabin, regardless of what aircraft, IMO.

Fredd

May I modestly suggest Red-Carpet-Baggers or simply Carpet Baggers?

The only reason we don't board at the very last minute is the carry-on issue, although it does stroke the ego to watch the GA block that old woman with a cane while opening the Red Carpet line with a flourish just for us.

The other night we were flying DEN-SEA on a 737 in F bulkhead after a LH flight from FRA so we boarded asap and fit our items into the small bin at the front. Everybody in F managed to squeeze in their bags after some rearranging with the help of the FA but it was tight.

We'd had to check our rollaboards simply because we'd added a few items including a couple of bottles of wine after a month on the road. We waited at the SEA carousel for one hour due to the "bad weather and shortage of one employee," according to the apologetic voice on the P.A., a grim reminder of why we try to travel exclusively with carry-on.

Cheers,
Fredd

tangfj

personally i board through the read carpet and wait in line so i can get on board and sleep sooner! also, as many others do i want to make sure i can get overhead bin space.

on a side note, does anyone else have problems getting standard 22 inch bags to fit in A319's? i saw two guys struggling to get a bin closed on monday that they actually pulled the bin door right off!!! it was hilarious... and luckily for them it didn't delay us that much. i felt bad for all the people sitting next to them though cause everyone had to check their bags in both the bin that the broke and the one adjacent.

BongoVIP

Lucky, I can see why your name is Lucky (or you must be livin right), because on my B-737's 80% of the time there is not enough room in F/C and the FA's either have to use the small closet (on the old Shuttle config planes) or bin space in the first several rows of economy, or both.

But yeah, at 15 minutes, YOU generally will be okay, but the other Poor or stupid shlep showing up during the boarding process...usually not...80% of the time...

Uniter

Now that I think about it, Red-Carpet-Baggers (RCBs) who actually line up 15 minutes prior to boarding DO look pretty ridiculous. Even though your reasoning may be overhead space, to the rest of the masses, it has to look as if you're just trying to show off your status.

So I say, to the RCBs!

tealeaf99

YES! A319 and A320 overhead bins cannot fit normal 22 inch rollaboards when placed wheels-in into the bin. The rollaboards have to go sideways. So, yes, this is another reason to get onto the red carpet early.

drummingcraig

My biggest pet peeve isn't so much gate lice or carpet campers, but Line Moles.

These are the folks who insist on furrowing their way through the folks who are already standing in line (organized or otherwise). When I line up I tend to leave a little room between myself and others who are in line around me. I usually want to get on the plane for overhead space concerns, but I'm not overly concerned about it. However, I HATE it when I am quite obviously in line, and a line mole pushes through and cuts in front of me or someone else.

IME, this seems to happen the worst at SNA during red carpet boarding. It always seems as if half the plane are GS/1K/F on the ORD flights, and there's always a mole or two ready to dig their way through the masses.

Craig