Gate lice’ beware: American Airlines is catching early boarders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Until we get rid of the crazy carryon wheeled suitcase epidemic, we will never be able to board the plane back to front. That was a relic from back when many more people checked bags and overhead space was not at a premium.

People have learned that they can pack light and not risk airlines losing luggage and not have to wait for an hour by the carousel. Charging for bags created it, but now that people see how convenient it is, you'd have to actually incentives checked bags rather than just make it free again

[Anonymous]

Southwest has no qualms about telling people to wait their turn.

[Anonymous]

AA better be careful about being too audible/vocal and singling out people.

I've been in situations where I had a boarding pass for a specific group but I needed assistance and additional time to board for a physical reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we please just start boarding from the rear on up line people up according to their seat number, with the back of the plane at the front of the line? I guarantee this will speed things up tremendously. The flight attendants can monitor to make sure people don’t put their carry-ons in any space other than what is allotted to their seat.

But there is no overhead space allotted to any particular seat. This is the problem. It's a free for all when it comes to overhead space, unless you are in a premium cabin.

Right but the PP is saying let's go ahead and alot carry on space to the seat.

The problem is that just like there are people who will try to get on a plan early there are also people who will try to take up more space in the overhead than they are supposed to -- the people who want to put not just their carryon but also their "personal item" up there (because they want the leg room) and a big winter coat and also a bag of items they concealed under their coat to get on the plane.

These people are annoying not least because they are stupid -- if they just exercised even a little bit of self-discipline they could fly without all this extra crap that they they want to two all over the plane and they would not feel the need to get on the plane early (why would you want to sit on the plane for LONGER -- I'd prefer to be the last person on the plane if possible).

Restraining the "gate lice" is actually part of an effort to enforce rules about overhead use. In which case the PP's idea is actually smart -- alot overhead space per set and enforce overhead rules (both size of carry ons and also preventing people from stowing multiple items up there) plus boarding back to front will take less time which means more on time departures and less time sitting on the plane waiting for boarding to end for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it should demote them to the last boarding group.

1000%

[Anonymous]

Totally get people wanting to board early so they have overhead bin space.

If I'm not in a hurry at my destination, I actually like boarding later so that I can gate-check my bag. It's like a free checked bag, and I don't have to deal with the annoyance of people put their jacket in the overhead bin and taking up all the space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a louse because I want to be ready when they call first or business because bozos put their carryons where I want to put mine then waddle back to economy.

That never happens. The flight crew gatekeep jealously.

- Business class traveler

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until we get rid of the crazy carryon wheeled suitcase epidemic, we will never be able to board the plane back to front. That was a relic from back when many more people checked bags and overhead space was not at a premium.

People have learned that they can pack light and not risk airlines losing luggage and not have to wait for an hour by the carousel. Charging for bags created it, but now that people see how convenient it is, you'd have to actually incentives checked bags rather than just make it free again

The incentive for checking bags is not having to drag your suitcase all over the airport or fight over overhead space.

The majority of travelers are not in enough of a hurry that waiting at baggage for 15-20 minutes is that big of a deal. You aren't a head of state or CEO.

Airports and airlines have gotten way better about lost luggage in recent years. Technology does a lot to address this. But you can also help avoid human error by just supervising them tagging your bag and making sure the destination and name on the bag are correct before checking it. Also getting to the airport on time and checking in on time. If you do all this the odds of your bag being lost are actually quite low.*

*Excepting certain budget airlines here -- I don't fly airlines like Spirit that cut tons of corners and screw over customers but I also don't care if people carry onto those planes because I will never be one. I don't care what Spirit passengers do.

[Anonymous]

they could remedy this if the bins were "locked" in areas before their particular boarding group.

planes do not have this ability now, but it would solve the problem.

yes, the problem really lies with all the a-holes putting their stuff in other peoples' (not officially designated) space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AA better be careful about being too audible/vocal and singling out people.

I've been in situations where I had a boarding pass for a specific group but I needed assistance and additional time to board for a physical reason.

No you didn't

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gate lice? What a gross phrase!

Been used by airline employees for years.

Gate lice drive them nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it should demote them to the last boarding group.

Why

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But that's not what gate lice are. IMO nothing wrong with gathering around waiting to board. Sometimes there just isn't anywhere else to sit or even stand.

Also, while I haven't traveled on AA, I travel on UA and DL all the time and I don't ever see anyone jumping the line and boarding outside their group.

Makes it harder for people who ARE boarding to actually get to the gate.

It's inconsiderate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a louse because I want to be ready when they call first or business because bozos put their carryons where I want to put mine then waddle back to economy.

That never happens. The flight crew gatekeep jealously.

- Business class traveler

What airline? Not United in my experience. They let high status boarders with coach seats board before business and those stuff their bags over myvseat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until we get rid of the crazy carryon wheeled suitcase epidemic, we will never be able to board the plane back to front. That was a relic from back when many more people checked bags and overhead space was not at a premium.

People have learned that they can pack light and not risk airlines losing luggage and not have to wait for an hour by the carousel. Charging for bags created it, but now that people see how convenient it is, you'd have to actually incentives checked bags rather than just make it free again

+1, it should be the other way around; first checked bag of normal weight is free, and every carryon is charged a fee at check in, and you must produce a receipt at the gate to carry it on.