Gate lice’ beware: American Airlines is catching early boarders

[Anonymous]

Didn’t read the whole thread, but I usually get boarding group 2 on United, but always am one of the last to board the plane. Less time on the plane is my strategy. I am not good at packing light, so I usually have a medium size suitcase that I check. I’ve flown a fair amount over the years and have only had two bags not make it. One bag showed up an hour later- luckily the bag was coming from Atlanta, where there are lots of flights. The other bag showed up a day later at my house. If I was on vs action somewhere and had no other clothes and my bag didn’t show up, I might convert to carrying on my bags.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they actually boarded by rows/sections, then flight attendants could actually monitor where people are putting their carryons.

We’ve all seen people put their roller bag and backpack and jacket in the overhead bin. Nobody stops them.

Fwiw, I’ve seen gate agents tell people trying to board early that their group hasn’t been called yet and they are asked to wait.

Everyone lines up early, so they could easily put up signage by rows/sections or simply call by rows. Since you have to pay to be closer to the front, those rows should be called first.

Actually, I get ticked off when I pay to check a bag and then am told that I have to put my backpack at my feet to make room for a freeloading carry-on. That's the whole point of enduring the inconvenience of waiting for my bag.

I hate this too but we figured out a hack for it. Bring a lightweight, thin, foldable bag, in addition to your backpack. Out your backpack in the bin where you want it and the empty or mostly empty second bag at your feet. When the flight attendant says “whose bag is this, we need the space for roller bags.” you gesture to your feet and say, sorry I already have another bag at my feet. Once boarding is done, fold up the bag and enjoy your legroom. Works like a charm!

Great idea!

Let me tell you another hack, when at a performance and someone asks "is this seat taken?" you say yes even if it isn't, and have elbow room! Works like a charm!

Also try renting a wheelchair when you go to disney to cut in front of the line! Works like a charm!

Yes, being dishonest often gets you what you want.

It’s not dishonest at all. I am entitled to the same amount of overhead bin space as anyone else (one slot.) My bag is not less important because it does not have wheels and a collapsing handle.

You keep telling yourself that.

Enjoy gate checking your carryon!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But I can't get to the gate when it is my turn because it is surrounded by "waiters"...

+1

It's amazing that so many people congregate so close to the gate that you can't tell if they're in line or just waiting for their group to be called. The level of cluelessnes is mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But I can't get to the gate when it is my turn because it is surrounded by "waiters"...

+1

It's amazing that so many people congregate so close to the gate that you can't tell if they're in line or just waiting for their group to be called. The level of cluelessnes is mind boggling.

Yep. And if you ask “is this the line for boarding group” they look at you like you are the rudest person ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But I can't get to the gate when it is my turn because it is surrounded by "waiters"...

+1

It's amazing that so many people congregate so close to the gate that you can't tell if they're in line or just waiting for their group to be called. The level of cluelessnes is mind boggling.

Yep. And if you ask “is this the line for boarding group” they look at you like you are the rudest person ever.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they actually boarded by rows/sections, then flight attendants could actually monitor where people are putting their carryons.

We’ve all seen people put their roller bag and backpack and jacket in the overhead bin. Nobody stops them.

Fwiw, I’ve seen gate agents tell people trying to board early that their group hasn’t been called yet and they are asked to wait.

Everyone lines up early, so they could easily put up signage by rows/sections or simply call by rows. Since you have to pay to be closer to the front, those rows should be called first.

Actually, I get ticked off when I pay to check a bag and then am told that I have to put my backpack at my feet to make room for a freeloading carry-on. That's the whole point of enduring the inconvenience of waiting for my bag.

Exactly. It punishes people who carry on less. I actually shifted to a rolling small suitcase specifically because I was asked to put my knapsack at my feet, taking up my foot space. Instead of being rewarded for carrying on less, people with knapsacks end up with less foot space.

[Anonymous]

The last time I flew American with my small kid, they put me in one boarding group (6) and him in another (7). I think I waited until his group was called, but maybe he got flagged for boarding with my group! I also just bring a small backpack and check bags, but last time was a nightmare with transfer flights being cancelled and not having our bag.

[Anonymous]

I push and run over gate lice. You are group 4 and 5. GTFO of the way standing around the gate. You aren't going to get on faster and are blocking the way for everyone in groups 1-4. MOVE or you will be run over.

[Anonymous]

I am always grateful, after reading posts like these, that I can afford to fly charter/private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how this is will stop them from clumping up front. Sounds like it only prevents them from actually getting on the plane, which gate agents had to leeway to do to begin with.

+1
Exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always grateful, after reading posts like these, that I can afford to fly charter/private.

I’m always grateful after reading posts like PP’s that I know how to correctly use punctuation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I push and run over gate lice. You are group 4 and 5. GTFO of the way standing around the gate. You aren't going to get on faster and are blocking the way for everyone in groups 1-4. MOVE or you will be run over.

Seems like a bad move to physically accost someone likely larger than you and likely already agitated, but you do you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I push and run over gate lice. You are group 4 and 5. GTFO of the way standing around the gate. You aren't going to get on faster and are blocking the way for everyone in groups 1-4. MOVE or you will be run over.

Seems like a bad move to physically accost someone likely larger than you and likely already agitated, but you do you

Nope. 6'4" and 276 lbs. If you want to throw down, i'll easily oblige.

[Anonymous]

SW is awful in some ways, and I know they are getting rid of their boarding system, but…it worked. People really “respected the number,” at least from what I saw.

Again, it was imperfect, but no one I ever saw argued with A26 going before A27; it is right there on the ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last time I flew American with my small kid, they put me in one boarding group (6) and him in another (7). I think I waited until his group was called, but maybe he got flagged for boarding with my group! I also just bring a small backpack and check bags, but last time was a nightmare with transfer flights being cancelled and not having our bag.

BS. They weren’t ever doing this. DH is a group 1 boarder and we always board with him (per AA policy) with no problems. No one flagged your 7;year old in group 7.