Boarding Planes...First or Last???

[BuckyBadger]

I have seen twice, and been the "not victim" once, when the same seat was given to two different passengers. On the one where I was already seated, the plane was full, and the person who "lost out" on "our" duplicate seat missed the flight. I have no idea what, if anything, he as given in compensation.

So, I now board as soon as I can. I would just as soon sit on the airplane as sit in the boarding lounge, and I do like to put my backpack in the overhead, which nowadays fill up very quickly.

Fills up even faster when people put backpacks up there - unless it's a big backpack, of course, that doesn't fit under your seat - in which case my ire is not directed towards you!!

It drives me crazy when I can't find a spot in the overhead because someone's put a little purse or half filled backpack up there, or even more annoying - their coat. Taking up a whole spot.

Grrr.

[rennigade]

Fills up even faster when people put backpacks up there - unless it's a big backpack, of course, that doesn't fit under your seat - in which case my ire is not directed towards you!!

It drives me crazy when I can't find a spot in the overhead because someone's put a little purse or half filled backpack up there, or even more annoying - their coat. Taking up a whole spot.

Grrr.

Whats even worse than that is when you're sitting closer to the front of the plane and someone who is boarding throws their stuff in the overhead up front and takes their seat in the back. To me thats unacceptable. I wish flight attendants would call those people out.

[Wino]

Fills up even faster when people put backpacks up there - unless it's a big backpack, of course, that doesn't fit under your seat - in which case my ire is not directed towards you!!

I am well over six feet tall. I have barely enough room for my legs, much less anything under the seat in front of me. I make no apologies for using the bin space which I am entitled to for anything I am allowed to put in there. Blame the airlines for their baggage fees that are now causing more and more people to carry on things they would have checked before.

I most definitely agree with Rennigade, though concerning those who use the overhead that is not near their seat. I think the next time I see it, I'll do an "inventory" of the full bin, and then "warn" the flight attendant that there's a bag in the overhead that no one is claiming. "I think it might be a security problem."

[dojo]

We don't like to rush, so we're usually among the last people to board and also the last to get up and start preparing to get out, when we land. We'd rather relax than push just to go and sit on the plane.

[kork13]

We don't like to rush, so we're usually among the last people to board and also the last to get up and start preparing to get out, when we land. We'd rather relax than push just to go and sit on the plane.

That's the other thing that really keeps me from rushing to board (or exit, as you mention) a commercial airplane. Everyone else is in such a hurry that people get pushy & cranky. Heaven help you if you "cut" someone in line, unintentionally or otherwise. As one of the last people on the plane, everybody else is just about seated (or at least everyone that's in a terrible rush & ready to bite your head off about it), and I can casually stroll down the empty jetway, give a friendly "hello" to the flight attendant who is, by now, almost certainly a bit frazzled & on-edge, then make my way to my seat without having to push & shove through people insistently trying to fit too-large bags into the overhead. All of the same applies when leaving the plane. Traveling can be stressful.... no need to make it worse by rushing yourself & everyone around you.

Actually, I have an admission... I hate flying commercially. I'm a military aviator, so my "office" is a modified commercial airliner with seating for just a couple dozen. We have plenty of personal space & legroom, can walk around as desired without tripping over people or their carry-on items, and our seats are way more comfortable. Little things, but in this one instance, I have to say that I've been spoiled by my job in the military. LOL

[BuckyBadger]

My husband is 6'4". He still puts his computer bag under his seat. The flight attendants ask you to do that to make it easier for everyone, so we comply with their request.

[Redraidernurse]

When I fly it's by myself with two (soon 3) small children. It's horrible to have to board towards the end because then I have to hope whoever I sit next to doesn't mind sitting next to kids. The benefit of boarding early (which southwest doesn't allow for people traveling with small children anymore) is if I can get a seat first then whoever wants to take the open seat next to me/my child more than likely chose to sit there because they don't mind small children, (i.e. Grandmas, grandpas, moms who have been there).

[Augustine]

Given the option, I'd prefer to board early. It is easier to get on and maneuver down the aisle before the plane is crowded. I'd rather be settled in my seat and getting things arranged the way I want them before everyone starts crowding the aisle.

Works for me too. I am not too bothered about being among the first to get off the plane though, except if I have another plane to catch.

[elessar78]

For domestic flights, we almost exclusively use Southwest, so we actually pay (the company) to board first (first off too). I like being on first, because there is a tendency for overhead bins to fill up as well.

But really, it's only mildly better.

[atomicrc11]

I always prefer to get on first and that usually happens due to complimentary upgrades due to flying many miles for work. The draw in first is pre-departure beverages and getting your coat put into the closet.

It is an FAA rule that if there are two people with duplicate tickets, the person already in the seat gets to keep it. Don't get angry, but also don't let the flight attendants tell you otherwise. The only way I would move is if I was offered excellent compensation for moving. This instance happened to me once and I've seen it happen many times. The worst was a direct flight from Newark to Honolulu. The second gentleman made the flight but had to sit in the last row that doesn't recline. I guess it's good he made the flight.

[elessar78]

I always prefer to get on first and that usually happens due to complimentary upgrades due to flying many miles for work. The draw in first is pre-departure beverages and getting your coat put into the closet.

It is an FAA rule that if there are two people with duplicate tickets, the person already in the seat gets to keep it. Don't get angry, but also don't let the flight attendants tell you otherwise. The only way I would move is if I was offered excellent compensation for moving. This instance happened to me once and I've seen it happen many times. The worst was a direct flight from Newark to Honolulu. The second gentleman made the flight but had to sit in the last row that doesn't recline. I guess it's good he made the flight.

Non-stop to Honolulu? Damn. Did they offer him any compensation for double booking his seat?

[atomicrc11]

Non-stop to Honolulu? Damn. Did they offer him any compensation for double booking his seat?

He didn't get anything for his troubles. It was a mistake on the part of the gate agent and it was complimentary upgrade for a frequent flier. I'm sure customer service threw some miles at him or maybe some system wide upgrades, but nothing much else as complimentary upgrades are not guaranteed. Those that pay for a first class ticket or pay to upgrade to first class get priority. In this case the seat was reserved for crew rest. Somehow it wasn't blocked off on the seat map. Since the flight from Newark to Honolulu is 10 hours it requires three pilots and he has to sit somewhere.