Gate lice’ beware: American Airlines is catching early boarders

[Anonymous]

By the way, back to front is one of the worst methods for seating.

If they want to solve the problem, they should get rid of overhead altogether and make checkin the only option available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will absolutely never, ever understand the rush to get in board. Almost of the idiots that hover around the gate block everyone who has to get on board, which ends up making it take longer.

Worrying about overhead is stupid. Most flights in the intercontinental US are 6 hours or less. It's not hard to put crap under you seat. If you can't, the stewardess will find space for you anyway. On international flights, there's always room, and out of my 200+ trips flying international I've never not been able to secure overhead. Again, it doesn't matter if you can't anyway because they'll just check it in for you if there's no space.

It's so dumb rushing to get on and hovering. We honestly always let the idiots get on first and rush, then just get on at the end when all of the dumb cattle have stampeded on. Never had an issue at all.

Agree on the rushing. I actually prefer to check my bags. I don’t have to worry about getting on in time to find a spot for my bag so I linger in the waiting area til the end. It’s also nice to not have bags with you when walking around the airport.

[Anonymous]

The airlines want passengers to clamor for early boarding. They have designed the boarding system to trick you into boarding early because that's more profitable for them.

Used to be that boarding was from the back of the plane to the front, and many passengers didn't like being forced to board first. Some passengers would hang out at the bookstore until the last minute.

The airlines figured out that if they made boarding early a 'privilege' then people would fight over boarding first. Now they even charge us for the privilege. It's kind of hilarious.

https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/southwest-airlines-used-behavioural-science-improve-queuing-times/innovation/article/1663912

[Anonymous]

I like checking bags. We get free checked bags.
But I cannot check medicines,, devices,, chargers,, things cannot lose.. so I have a carryon and my purse.

[Anonymous]

American Airlines has been piloting a system in recent weeks to flag when people attempt to board before their group has been called.

Wait one minute. Airlines didn't already have this? I have always operated under the assumption that you get flagged and publicly shamed for going with the wrong group. I could have sworn I have seen this. I fly 1-3 times a month.

[Anonymous]

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.

please please please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gate lice? What a gross phrase!

I agree. My family member in her 30s uses it to demean passengers who do not have status to go hang out in the airline lounges. So disgusting on many levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

To solve this issue, only business class and everyone else needs to pay extra for carry on and personal items. however then you run into the chance that you run out of overhead bins but that can be managed by limiting the amount of pay for overhead bing spaces. this would actually be very lucrative for the airlines. I also think that people should be charged by their weight and you get a discount if you are smaller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

American Airlines has been piloting a system in recent weeks to flag when people attempt to board before their group has been called.

Wait one minute. Airlines didn't already have this? I have always operated under the assumption that you get flagged and publicly shamed for going with the wrong group. I could have sworn I have seen this. I fly 1-3 times a month.

I think most do. I got flagged once trying to board in the wrong group. But I got to the gate late and had no idea what group they were on and just got in line.

[Anonymous]

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.

Totally agree!

[Anonymous]

I was in the last group to board on my recent American flight, because I refuse to pay for seat selection. I had everything I might want in-flight in my personal item, and they gate checked my carry on (which I actually prefer). Not sure what I would be rushing for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

American Airlines has been piloting a system in recent weeks to flag when people attempt to board before their group has been called.

Wait one minute. Airlines didn't already have this? I have always operated under the assumption that you get flagged and publicly shamed for going with the wrong group. I could have sworn I have seen this. I fly 1-3 times a month.

I think most do. I got flagged once trying to board in the wrong group. But I got to the gate late and had no idea what group they were on and just got in line.

Why wouldn't you just listen to the agent's next announcement to figure out where they were in the process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

American Airlines has been piloting a system in recent weeks to flag when people attempt to board before their group has been called.

Wait one minute. Airlines didn't already have this? I have always operated under the assumption that you get flagged and publicly shamed for going with the wrong group. I could have sworn I have seen this. I fly 1-3 times a month.

I think most do. I got flagged once trying to board in the wrong group. But I got to the gate late and had no idea what group they were on and just got in line.

LOL. It's on the monitors, but nice try.

[Anonymous]

People gather for three reasons - to be the first among their group when called but also because there is nowhere to sit and it is impossible to hear the PA system. You need to be close enough to read the gate agent’s lips.

I rarely or never see people purposely trying to jump the line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1000

Incentive system is exactly backwards.

Guess you like batteries in your checked luggage.

WTF?

I bring a briefcase onboard when traveling for biz. A backpack with electronics if traveling for outdoor activities. Otherwise everything gets checked.

Happy to pay for both if it means 20 mins shorter boarding time on each end.

Sorry you aren't able to understand other people's behavior.

Right back at ya.

I’d rather pay than wait.

You’d rather wait than pay.

I hope airlines conform to my preferences.

You hope airlines conform to your preferences.

The only difference between us?

My preferences are superior.