Ryanair and "Priority Boarding" [Archive]

XSBaggage

19th Oct 2006, 01:20

Has anyone noticed what Ryanair sneaked in to a news item on their website underneath their Stockholm and Warsaw route launches?:

"Passengers travelling with checked in luggage will (from 1st November) be able to enjoy priority boarding at departure gates for £2/€3 per flight. These passengers will then be entitled to board the aircraft first and choose their seats. This will be particularly advantageous for families and groups who wish to travel together."

"From 1st November, families with children will no longer be pre-boarded however they will have the option of online check-in and priority boarding if travelling without checked in luggage or priority boarding purchased at the airport if travelling with checked in bags."

Obviously we all know FR are mean, etc etc etc and we could go on about them all day but they are becoming very family-unfriendly. So if they don't want families, people with luggage, disabled people, business people who want changeable tickets, people who have UK drivers licences but were born outside the EU, who do they want?! Sounding a little like an airline version of National Socialism starting in Dublin.........

XSB

lorddee

19th Oct 2006, 01:36

YES i did read that ,Just another money spinning exercise can,t blame them really .End of the day all seats are the same except emeg xit .You all arrive at the same place at the same time and if you have a baby then most people will offer assitance that is part of life :) :) well done Ryanair MAYBE even cheaper fares

Bangkokeasy

19th Oct 2006, 02:20

This is an interesting further development. For years I have been pointing out that the so-called "Legacy" airlines should work harder to differentiate themselves from the locos. Now, lo and behold, locos are moving, slowly but surely, towards offering legacy service - at a cost of course. The logical conclusion is that the aircraft will be reconfigured to have larger seats, that recline and where free food and drinks are offered, which will be located, probably, at the front of the aircraft, while the no-pay cattle class remain at the back end. And maybe even there will be a "frequent slumming" (sorry, "flyer") programme to reward serial masochists?

Seriously though, I wonder how far FR will go down this road? It is more than time that flag/legacy carriers woke up to this and did something about it in a more meaningful fashion.

Flying_Frisbee

19th Oct 2006, 07:07

This is an interesting further development. For years I have been pointing out that the so-called "Legacy" airlines should work harder to differentiate themselves from the locos. Now, lo and behold, locos are moving, slowly but surely, towards offering legacy service - at a cost of course.
Maybe this is heading towards reserved seats and multiple classes, but I doubt it. All they're doing is charging for priority boarding, in other words making queue jumping available to anyone who pays for it, rathert than giving it away for free for certain people as they do at the moment.
One question though- A parent with a 4 and a 6 year old get onto the plane to discover 3 seats left spread all over the plane. After it's pointed out that they should have stumped up for priority boarding, what happens next?

amanoffewwords

19th Oct 2006, 08:28

A parent with a 4 and a 6 year old get onto the plane to discover 3 seats left spread all over the plane.
That's exactly what happened to my wife + 2 kids on Iberia. Answer: shrug of shoulders from crew until a teenager agreed to swap seats while the adult pax pretended to be deaf.:ugh:

She's flying the same route with the kids on Saturday - I advised her to take two paper bags so that if it happens again she can hand them to the people sitting next to my kids and tell them that they sometimes get sick on take-off and landing! That should expedite the seat swaps.:E

10secondsurvey

19th Oct 2006, 08:56

slightly OT, but an important one,

How do you know the adult pax was 'pretending' to be deaf.

I ask this because I regularly travel with someone who has a hearing deficit, and who usually cannot hear someone speaking to him in an aircraft, due to background noise. Often he gets people who get irritated that assume he is just ignoring them.

It is a sad fact, that most people have zero understanding of hearing loss, which in early stages, typically manifests itself as an inability to discriminate sounds (speech) against background noise.

My friend can hold a completely unaided conversation provided there is no background noise, but really struggles in any noisy situation. He has even had rude cc before, due to this (although good airlines train their staff to recognise this well). Few people with a hearing deficit have the stereotype two BIG beige hearing aids that whistle, as not all hearing deficits benefit from such devices. It is, I have reliably been told, a much more complex issue than just 'turning up the volume'.

I don't doubt you had good reason to know the adult pax was pretending to be deaf, but maybe,just maybe, he wasn't.

XSBaggage

19th Oct 2006, 10:54

Flying_frisbee that was kind of what my first thoughts were - the cabin crew, if they are willing to help, will then have to look for people willing to swap seats, maybe the kids will be screaming being away from parents, leading to more fuss on boarding and perhaps short delays.

I remember about 4 years ago a friend of mine was a base supervisor for FR and one of her flights was delayed about 5 mins due to pax not sitting down quick enough, this was mentioned on the departure message as the reason for the delay, and 2 days later she received a written warning through her letter box telling her to improve on her performance - and it was a similar situation re families being separated.

Also, out of interest, FR do not carry "unaccompanied" children, so what if you have a 5 year old sitting 10 rows away from their parent and nobody is willing to swap? Are they "unaccompanied"?

I do like the FR business model generally, but to believe that any of their "improvements" lead to lower fares is quite simply naive.

XSB

tart1

19th Oct 2006, 11:40

I think that it is actually unsafe for small children to sit away from their parents.

Just think about it: who is going to check that they are safely strapped in?

If a catastrophe happens, what if nobody is willing to help them get out of the aircraft? A parent is usually willing to die to save their own child but may not be as keen to put themselves at risk for someone else's

There are good reasons why a parent needs to sit with their own children when they are under a certain age - say 10/12. I think that is a health and safety issue and that making them pay (in other words putting a tax/premium on travelling with small children) is just wrong. (But then, so is charging people for wheelchairs and they have done that. :( )

When my kids were small I would have just refused to sit down if I had not been able to sit with them (or at least have one with me and one with their dad). When I was cabin crew, I always managed to sort it out for people - it is really important!!!!! :)

J32/41

19th Oct 2006, 13:24

As a father with a 2 yr old daughter, I have travelled with Ryanir many times, however after reading that, never again!

Charging families to be pre-boarded is just crazy, they shouldn't be allowed to do it.

:= :=

PAXboy

19th Oct 2006, 14:35

Selecting Devil's Advocate Mode
they shouldn't be allowed to do it.
Why should they not be allowed and who should not allow them?
Simply because families have extended this privilege to families and elderly people, why should everyone have to continue with it?

Why should families be able to bag nice seats? I am not disputing the benefits of them sitting together, in which case they can ensure that they get to the top of the check-in queue.

Families get many, many privileges that others do not get.

W.R.A.I.T.H

19th Oct 2006, 14:50

ok, what's next? Coin locks on the lavs? Can't wait what will that honourable gentleman surprise us with next time :rolleyes:

J32/41

19th Oct 2006, 15:11

Selecting Devil's Advocate Mode
Why should they not be allowed and who should not allow them?
Simply because families have extended this privilege to families and elderly people, why should everyone have to continue with it?
Why should families be able to bag nice seats? I am not disputing the benefits of them sitting together, in which case they can ensure that they get to the top of the check-in queue.
Families get many, many privileges that others do not get.

It's just stupid that a family with little kids MUST pay to be pre-boared.

As mentioned above, it wouldn't surprise me if they start charging passengers to have a p#ss. :* :*

Middle Seat

19th Oct 2006, 15:46

That's the FR model J41/42. You want your family to sit together? fine. You pay for it. I'm with PAXboy on this one, why SHOULD families be exempt?

Am I willing to toss a euro or three to get on before hordes? Depends on the flights.

Do start travelling with extra euro coins on future FR flights because, "in the event of a loss of pressurization in the cabin, an oxygen mask will drop from the overhead area. Place the elastic band around your head and cover your nose and mouth with the mask. Please be sure to secure your own mask before assisting others. Once your mask is secure, please insert a one euro coin into the slot in the arm rest for 10 minutes of oxygen. A red light will flash when you have about 30 seconds of air remaining. Do not panic, insert one euro for another 10 minutes of air."

J32/41

19th Oct 2006, 16:07

Do start travelling with extra euro coins on future FR flights because, "in the event of a loss of pressurization in the cabin, an oxygen mask will drop from the overhead area. Place the elastic band around your head and cover your nose and mouth with the mask. Please be sure to secure your own mask before assisting others. Once your mask is secure, please insert a one euro coin into the slot in the arm rest for 10 minutes of oxygen. A red light will flash when you have about 30 seconds of air remaining. Do not panic, insert one euro for another 10 minutes of air."

:) :) :) :)

Based

19th Oct 2006, 16:53

I have travelled with Ryanir many times, however after reading that, never again!

If only I believed you. If we were to assume that everyone that has made this statement has followed through with it, I'd have to say that it's a fairly impressive performance by Ryanair to be targeting a total passenger figure of 42m this year!:ok:

it wouldn't surprise me if they start charging passengers to have a p#ss. :* :*

I think it would probably surprise me but at the same time, why not? All Ryanair have ever done is itemised their pricing structure and have continued to develop this over time. In a significant majority of cases, summing the various components still results in a value-for-money fare. Surely that's all you can want and expect from a low cost carrier. I really don't understand how people that see a seat advertised for 1cent can genuinely expect to pay that for the whole service. It's not as if you aren't presented with the final total before you commit to anything!

Final 3 Greens

19th Oct 2006, 16:57

You want your family to sit together? fine. You pay for it. I'm with PAXboy on this one, why SHOULD families be exempt?

Because "It is probable that family group members would seek each other out should an emergency evacuation be required, an action that could adversely affect the rapid evacuation of the aircraft. Children should be seated where they can be adequately supervised by an accompanying adult in the event of turbulence or a decompression in the cabin."

That's why, its a safety matter as far as the CAA are concerned.

Quote from the CAA, here is the citation http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=3&pagetype=90&pageid=1344

Avman

19th Oct 2006, 18:05

Well, at the risk of getting a severe reprimand from the Moderator, I think some of you are right little ar$eholes to suggest that people travelling with children shouldn't get free priority boarding. Shame shame shame on you! Are you the same people that occupy seats on the bus whilst senior citizens or mothers with infants are left standing? The major issue of children being with their parents is, as mentioned above, one of SAFETY. I remember how worried I was (in the event of an emergency) when some years ago my then young children, my wife and I were all split up on a completely full DC-10 oceanic flight. Lighten up people!

TightSlot

19th Oct 2006, 18:37

No reprimand on the thoughts expressed - just the language used! :O

tart1

19th Oct 2006, 18:52

I don't think anyone is suggesting that families with children should have 'nicer' seats than anyone else. In fact, I think this should definitely not happen. I agree that people with small children already get enough privilieges - special parking spaces are a prime example of unnecessary pampering IMVHO.

The fact remains though that it is a big safety issue as small children need supervision to ensure their behaviour is safe (fastened seat belts, sitting down during take-off/turbulence, etc) and MOST importantly, they would need help during an emergency and the person who wants (and would fight) to help them, is obviously their parent/s.

As I said before, I would have refused point blank to travel separately from my children when they were young - I am a very quiet and polite passenger normally but when it comes to the safety of my kids I would kick up a big fuss. Sorry to all you people without children but that is how it is and it is totally right! ;)

Musket90

19th Oct 2006, 19:49

Priority boarding is fine only when airport gate rooms are designed to help reduce the scrum of pax waiting to board and the ground staff can manage the scrum boarding process effectively. I can think of at least one airport where priority boarding at some gates would never work because of these two factors.

jack_essex

19th Oct 2006, 20:54

Boarding flights to Murcia, Girona and Almeria etc. when there are around 40/50 kids onboard then you start to see that charging to get on first is a good thing. If you are travelling without children and check in first you have to wait for all these kids and their parents to get on first ( and most of the time the whole family of 7 people think they should get on first becuase they have 1 child). By the time you have finished the pre boards, half the flight is already boarded. A lot of families check in last, then push to the front of the que shouting they have kids. The one thing I don't agree with is charging to use the online check in service. I thought that this was an incentive not to bring bags and to bypass the check in. I know it's only £2 but that's not really the point. I completely agree with them charging for pre boards but not, to use the web check in. I guess there will be a limit of how many pre boards there can be. Would be fun to sell a pre board 'pass' to everyone on the plane. lol.

SXB

19th Oct 2006, 21:26

I cannot believe some of the comments regarding children on this thread, I can only imagine that the posters either know nothing about children or simply don't have them.

People with young children must be seated together, as F3G points out for safety reasons than any other. It is simply not practical to seat a 3 year old child 10 rows from their parent. Of course the reason RYR have done this is because they know that most parents will not risk being separated from their children. Let's add this up, what percentage of passengers are either children or those travelling with children ? Say 30% ? 30% of 40 million passengers is 12 million. At 2 pounds per person this adds up to £24 million per year.

Another reason why I'll never fly with RYR again.

smith

19th Oct 2006, 22:35

I think some of you are right little ar$eholes to suggest that people travelling with children shouldn't get free priority boarding. Shame shame shame on you!

I think that all children should be given seat numbered boarding cards in one area of the aircraft eg down the back. Nothing more annoying after a busy day than a kid screaming in your ear for an hour or two.

If all kids seated down the back (accompanied by their parents/guardians of course) they could then scream til their hearts content and not annoy the businessmen down the front.

As it is, kids randomly placed throughout the cabin usually set off a domino effect and the screaming ripples throughout the cabin, much to the annoyance of all!!!

lorddee

20th Oct 2006, 00:39

Just go up the rear steps coz n one else seems to .Ihave done 5 flights this week with Fr and priorty boarding was not used at all.I SAT on last row emeg exit .Passengers do not know unless told to use rear steps. Fingers up to ryanair good product all flight s on time or early:ok:

XSBaggage

20th Oct 2006, 01:14

I agree with Jack's comments about some flights to (mainly Spanish) holiday destinations being full of kids and totally defeating the purpose of "pre-boarding". It used to really annoy me when pax would shove huge gangly 11 year olds, towering above the parents, to the front of the queue and demand pre-boarding for this kid, the 2 older siblings, the parents, the grandparents, Auntie, Auntie's neighbour, and everyone else in their group. Paying to guarantee seats together has been common practice on charter flights for several years now, but I think that not even giving parents with young children a few minutes head start as a courtesy is a little harsh.

I was never one of these people that honestly expected to pay £0.10 for a flight, but adding up all the charges encountered on FR now is forcing me onto "legacy" carriers more and more, where the £150 hard breakfast roll is now only £60. Yum.

XSB

PAXboy

20th Oct 2006, 01:19

jack_essexThe one thing I don't agree with is charging to use the online check in service. I thought that this was an incentive not to bring bags and to bypass the check in. I know it's only £2 but that's not really the point.
Well, actually, that IS the point!! It is another £2 per ticket for FR. All companies introduced on-line check-in to save them money. In the same way that supermarkets introduced self-serve checkouts to save them money. In both cases (Check-In and Check-Out ;) ) they save money and we get the impression of better service. Now that airline pax are getting used to doing this - Bingo! and FR change the rules. My admiration for MoL and his bunch continues to rise, at the same time as my desire to use his airline falls.

I guess there will be a limit of how many pre boards there can be. Would be fun to sell a pre board 'pass' to everyone on the plane.
Yes, exactly, that is what they will hope for and good luck to them. My guess is that there will be no limit to the number of pre-boards that can be booked.

After all, if they have accepted a pre-board fee from all 137 (or whatever pax) and then get everyone on board in the sequence in which they checked in ... they will have completed their side of the deal. If one cared to read the small print, I would have no doubt that there is a get out clause about not refunding the £2 if they are unable to board you due to 'operational circumstances on the day'. They have so many excuses to use that you could sit and eat them for a (chargeable) three course meal.

Not to mention of course, that they have one significant advantage over every other commercial organisation in the world: They do not care what their customers think and do not care if the customer never uses them again. MoL has stated this on many occasions.

kms901

20th Oct 2006, 03:24

Damn ! There goes my business idea: Hire small children to Ryanair passengers to ensure they get on first.

WHBM

20th Oct 2006, 09:02

Having paid the £2, this is going to be a real hoot when the pax find the aircraft is on a remote stand and they're all going in a transfer bus.

amanoffewwords

20th Oct 2006, 09:17

I don't doubt you had good reason to know the adult pax was pretending to be deaf, but maybe,just maybe, he wasn't.

I meant the adult pax in the plural - missed out an s - and was using the expression as a figure of speech.

Anyway - one solution for Iberia at least is to check-in online - available from the day before. If you booked with air miles you might not have your reservation number available: in this case ring Iberia reservation to ask for it, and Bob's your Uncle...

smith

20th Oct 2006, 09:21

Why don't they just let you pre-book the actual seat you want online. This could be then printed off with a large number eg3C. This would be charged for and more for emergency exits as per charter airlines. At boarding all pax with the bits of paper asked to come first. Get out clause pax must be there for 1st boarding call or their seat lost(non-refundable of course).

While we're at it how about a late check-in service, 45mins desk closure a bit mean, how about £10 30min check-in, payable at the desk. Then upto you if you make it through security on time.

Shamrock 125

20th Oct 2006, 13:48

just as a matter of interest, i assume you pay for the priority seating for online check-in online otherwise it defeats the purpose. here's my question, does this mean whip out the credit card each time, €3 per flight + the usual €5 service charge?

silverelise

20th Oct 2006, 20:47

If all kids seated down the back (accompanied by their parents/guardians of course) they could then scream til their hearts content and not annoy the businessmen down the front.
As it is, kids randomly placed throughout the cabin usually set off a domino effect and the screaming ripples throughout the cabin, much to the annoyance of all!!!
Ryanair dont have business class up the front or have i missed something?
FFS people complaining about screaming kids on LOCO flights need to get a grip. :ugh:

brian_dromey

20th Oct 2006, 21:42

Are FR actually going to charge for priority boarding, or for the web-check-in or both?

It is not actually stated that they will charge for this...
"Those travelling with hand luggage only will also have the option to enjoy the double benefit of bypassing airport check-in queues and priority boarding at the departure gate by checking in on line for just £2/€3 per flight.

From 1st November, families with children will no longer be pre-boarded however they will have the option of online check-in and priority boarding if travelling without checked in luggage or priority boarding purchased at the airport if travelling with checked in bags."

I THINK what is being said here is "it is possible to buy priority boarding at the airport, if you have checked-luggage, or if you dont, you can do this on-line or at the airport" So I think that OLCI on longer gets priority boarding?

To be honest the use of english is dreadful, the only thing that is clear is FR are yet again charging us for a service we never kenw we wated or had! I know FR have major plans to increase the revenue per pasenger, but this is just a sneaky way of dong it, sure the tickets are "free", but now it's 5 euro for the card(per ticket, if you dont mind!), 3 to check in, 4 for the bag.....10for the toilet, etc, etc. To be honest the chraging is getting out of control. Just tell me how much my ticket actually costs will all this crap and stop pretending Im getting a ticket for free, cause Im not.

It really bugs me that when I do my shopping Morrisons(or anybody else) charge me NOTHING for my £10-£15 of shopping yet FR, EI, WW, BD, et al see fit to add on a chrage(and let me tell you, the fare is NEVER £10-£15, once all those "taxes" are added). :ugh: How the hell does it cost them so much? And why do high street retailers absorb the charges?:confused:

172driver

20th Oct 2006, 23:02

There's actually a straightforward answer to all of this - don't use FR. I say that from a position of doing about 20-30 sectors/p.a. with them due to where they fly. Use if you must, avoid if you can.

PAXboy

20th Oct 2006, 23:16

brian_dromeyI know FR have major plans to increase the revenue per pasenger, but this is just a sneaky way of dong it, sure the tickets are "free", but now it's 5 euro for the card (per ticket, if you dont mind!), 3 to check in, 4 for the bag.....10 for the toilet, etc, etc.
But FR have never made any secret of this. They set out to gain market share by an unusual pricing strategy and they continue to do so.

To be honest the charging is getting out of control. Just tell me how much my ticket actually costs will all this crap and stop pretending Im getting a ticket for free, cause I'm not.
But the charging is entirely within control. They are doing what they said they would and we can buy or not.

Simple domestic example: Purchaser thinks that a laser printer for their home PC is too expensive, so they buy an InkJet which also does colour Yaaay! Then they find out that it is considerably more expensive to run than a laser printer. So they buy cheap inks for it which gum it all up and the unit breaks. The next time they see a cheap inkjet printer advertised they are less likely to buy as they know that what the manufacturer really wants to do is sell lots of ink cartridges at high prices. Some folks continue to buy cheap inkjets and throw them away and others buy more expensive printers that are cheaper to run in the longer term.

Sorry if that sounds like a child's lesson but I am just trying to show that folks only feel cross at FR because it has not been done in the airline game before.

lorddee

21st Oct 2006, 00:54

1st flight BLK-STN-BLK £23.00 quid rtn
2nd flight LPL-RIX-LPL £37.96 RTN
3rd LBA-DUB-LBA 23.30 rtn
4th BLK-GRO-BLK 37.39 RTN
5th BLK-STN-BLK 24.49

all flights on time and carry a small trolly case which you can get enough in for a busines meeting and a chage of clothes
the above include all charges and taxes cc fees etc SO to be honest you can,t go wrong keep up the good work MOL ... oH BY THE WAY at LpL i bought a meal deal at boots for 75 pence they were reduced due to selll by date THE LORD

jack_essex

21st Oct 2006, 07:29

I have recently bought tickets with Ryanair for STN - CIA - STN for £29 return including all taxes and charges. No matter how many little charges Ryanair add on they will usually ALWAYS be the cheapest airline. I compared prices with BA becasue sometimes the price difference is not that great and they would have charged me.... get ready.... £307! I know it is frustrating that they add these little charges on, but it's nothing they said they wouldn't do. But at prices like £29 return to Rome that how is anyone really in a positition to argue?

daedalus

21st Oct 2006, 07:49

Priority boarding (after children and disabled) is already available to those with cabin-baggage only who check-in on-line with Ryanair - no extra cost. The A4 print-out boarding pass carries full details (including passport number) and has a scannable barcode.
It also has a boarding sequence number, which is not strictly adhered to, but you do get on after the kids.
I think it's to persuade more people to travel with only cabin baggage - makes it much easier. Last Sunday our Ryanair plane was delayed for an hour because two pax had not made the plane (due to understaffing at Stansted and chaotic arrangements), but their hold baggage had, necessitating offloading of their baggage. If I were MOL, under the present daft security rules, i would be exceeding pissed-off.

:ugh:

lexxity

21st Oct 2006, 08:42

People would love to travel just with handluggage, but until the liquid ban is lifted that won't be possible.

smith

21st Oct 2006, 08:49

Ryanair dont have business class up the front or have i missed something?

Quite correct they don't have busines class, just think if they pack all the screamin kids down the back with their parents who decided to have kids and travel with them, it would make the front of the plane more relaxing for those pax who do not have kids or decide not to travel with kids. I have three kids myself and I understand people do not want to be pestered by unruly kids and would quite happily put my kids in steerage where they can scream til their hearts content:{

Final 3 Greens

21st Oct 2006, 12:10

Quite correct they don't have busines class, just think if they pack all the screamin kids down the back with their parents who decided to have kids and travel with them, it would make the front of the plane more relaxing for those pax who do not have kids or decide not to travel with kids.

I think you need your head examining mate.

This is low cost flying you are talking about, attracting the type of business traveller who thinks its great to get a meal deal for 75p, because of stock rotation requirements.

Get real.

If you want real service, you have to pay for it, e.g. in the last 3 weeks I have spent 3K on

10 x short haul segments in C
4 x long haul segments in F

This buys a whole lot service more than just decent seats, but you do tend (not always) to get a quieter experience as a fringe benefit.

As for Ryanair, its an aerial bus, but don't knock it for those who on a limited budget.

smith

21st Oct 2006, 12:43

Point taken F3G

However, would like it to apply in all airlines, King Herrod was nothing compared to me when it comes to screamin kids lol.

Maybe FR could turn it round and charge extra for sitting in a kids free zone.

Flying in business/1st doen't exclude you from minors because they are entitled to fly in this class too.

Now defunct airline Highland Express which had one 747 and flew PIK-EWR had kids free areas on their flights, maybe thats why they went bust lol.

wildweeble

21st Oct 2006, 15:11

Right then, MOL.

If, for all of the reasons already stated in this thread, the safety of our children, other passengers, cabin crew and aircrew really means this little to you (and folks you can append any of the zillions of other FR issues here), this is what any parent displeased with the latest wheeze might do:

If, say, one was unable to get a seat next to one's children, one might refuse to sit down. Naturally, were anyone to take such a step (and goodness knows I'm not inciting anyone to do so...) it would be entertaining to make sure that the children join in. Oh and don't forget that it would be foolish to make too much protest until the doors are shut.

By the time such disruptive pax were seated or even off the aircraft, baggage unloaded... well, goodness, the flight will have missed its slot, with the usual knock-on effect for the rest of the day.

I wonder how much that costs?

Gosh, it would probably only take one or two families a day to do that to make some Irish eyes stop smiling. It may smart a little, MOL, but hey, you're a big boy and you can take it.

It could even turn into a sport.

If, like me, you happen to have sympathy for the FR staff and hate to give them a headache, comfort yourself with the thought that it was MOL wot started it.

As for King Herod and the other grumpy goats here who have forgotten that they were also children once and were, in their turn, tolerated; my children and I will be sure to sit behind you ... and we'll sing 9,999 Green Bottles. Slowly. With recounts.

SXB

21st Oct 2006, 20:23

Some interesting comments about business travel and low cost airlines.

We recently engaged a London based company on a short term consultancy contract. The first two people turned up at our offices a day late because they'd had some kind of problem with Easy Jet at Luton (a cancellation I believe) I didn't know at the time they were using EZ but these things do happen so I let it go. Two days later two more consultants actually missed their flight at Luton and ended up on the evening flight also arriving in the office a day late. Under the circumstances I terminated the contract as it was very short term but I felt the company was a bit unprofessional because they'd used LC airlines along with sending staff on very early morning flights simply to save one night in a hotel. The contract also provided a sufficient profit margin for them to use proper airlines

Business travellers who use LC airlines are taking a risk because if you experience a problem (whether your fault or the airline's) then your options are extremely limited. If you're at 'Frankfurt' Hahn or Baden Karlsruhe and you've just missed your flight to London you can't simply visit the plethora of airline kiosks and just whip out your credit card and say 'next flight to London please' in the same way you could at the real Frankfurt Main airport or London Heathrow....

Most of the places I visit are not served by LC airlines but even if they were I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, in anycase my organisation specifically prohibits us from using LCC.

SXB

21st Oct 2006, 20:36

Flying in business/1st doen't exclude you from minors because they are entitled to fly in this class too.
Smith

I don't remember the last time I travelled in Business Class where young children were present, that isn't to say that they were not there it's just that most parents are able to control their children by keeping them occupied. Travelling with children over the age of 3 should not really be a problem as they can be occupied, under 3 is more difficult and should you come across parents with such children instead of scowling at them or suggesting a kind of 'airline apartheid' you should try to help them, like most people do. Often, people travelling with young children are doing it out of necessity and not through choice.

The only time I do get annoyed is when older children run amok in the cabin because their parents can't be bothered to control them, though the Cabin Crew are normally good at dealing with such problems.

silverelise

21st Oct 2006, 21:01

smith

22nd Oct 2006, 00:48

my children and I will be sure to sit behind you ... and we'll sing 9,999 Green Bottles. Slowly. With recounts

And I will be sure to accidently spill my tomato juice on the singing minor on the way past.

I have kids of my own (all be it grown up) but when I go on vacation I book into kids free hotels, my hols start when I get to the airport so why not kids free flights. If its good enough for the hotels its good enough for the airlines.

I have done my bit bringing up kids and just like to relax. I agree with the other poster on parents not controlling their children, but there's nothing you can do with a small baby teething to stop them screaming the house down.

After all, mother nature intended a child's wails to be annoying and irritating so as the PARENTS are alerted to and then can attend to their children's needs.

Sorry to be such a moan, I actually really love kids ........... but I could never eat a whole one!!!

CARR30

22nd Oct 2006, 10:39

Globaliser

22nd Oct 2006, 12:03

I have recently bought tickets with Ryanair for STN - CIA - STN for £29 return including all taxes and charges. No matter how many little charges Ryanair add on they will ALWAYS be the cheapest airline. I compared prices with BA and they would have charged me.... get ready.... £307!RYR isn't always the cheapest - see my past posts demonstrating what happens when one prices a real trip. Even if they are usually cheaper than BA, they're not always cheaper than EZY.

What you have to ask yourself is: Take the RYR ticket price. Add on the extras that you have to pay (including, for me, the extra cost and time of just getting to STN or wherever to start off with). Then look at the difference from BA. Then ask yourself whether the better quality service is worth the extra price.

As between £29 and £307, I would probably have either made the same decision as you, or not gone on the trip. But when the BA/RYR difference is £20, £30 or £40, those extra charges matter.

jack_essex

22nd Oct 2006, 15:41

Of course, I would do the same thing. We chose to fly with BA to Madrid rather than easyJet becasue BA were cheaper. We booked our tickets quite close to departure time. Close meaning a few months. easyJet was around £80 more expensive. As Stansted is only 15/20 minutes from my house, when flying within Europe the airlines we look at first are Ryanair/easyJet, simply becasue STN is so close. If the price is a lot cheaper, and times are better then we fly from LHR/LGW. I would probably even pay a higher price just so we wouldn't have to go near LTN! Lol.

flybywire

22nd Oct 2006, 17:38

Has anyone noticed what Ryanair sneaked in to a news item on their website underneath their Stockholm and Warsaw route launches?:
"Passengers travelling with checked in luggage will (from 1st November) be able to enjoy priority boarding at departure gates for £2/€3 per flight. These passengers will then be entitled to board the aircraft first and choose their seats. This will be particularly advantageous for families and groups who wish to travel together."
"From 1st November, families with children will no longer be pre-boarded however they will have the option of online check-in and priority boarding if travelling without checked in luggage or priority boarding purchased at the airport if travelling with checked in bags."
XSB
What if everybody purchases the £2 "priority boarding" ticket? :rolleyes:
(I'll be laughing my :mad: off!) ---> and so will MOL!!!

flybywire

22nd Oct 2006, 17:52

Smith

I don't remember the last time I travelled in Business Class where young children were present, that isn't to say that they were not there it's just that most parents are able to control their children by keeping them occupied. Travelling with children over the age of 3 should not really be a problem as they can be occupied, under 3 is more difficult and should you come across parents with such children instead of scowling at them or suggesting a kind of 'airline apartheid' you should try to help them, like most people do. Often, people travelling with young children are doing it out of necessity and not through choice.

The only time I do get annoyed is when older children run amok in the cabin because their parents can't be bothered to control them, though the Cabin Crew are normally good at dealing with such problems.

Can I just say it happens regularly, especially during school holidays, that young children travel in business class, at least in my airline. Often we have "UM" that is unaccompanied minors too.

Amazingly in my flying career I only had problems with kids, in any class, whose parents were on board too. When kids travel alone they're usually very well behaved, or much easier to control. I have a fridge full of drawings made for me by UMs, I keep them dearly.

One thing that irritates me is when for example a family of 3 books mother and kid in C class and the father in Y. They are hoping for an extra upgrade for free once on board...........sorry it doesn't work with me!!! The alternative could be to send the kid to the back ;)

As for kids screaming in C class, only once I had to move the family affected to the rear of the aircraft as this kid was possessed!! He was really disturbing everybody and after throwing up on of our premier card holders and the parents refusing to clear up, I decided that enough was enough!

And talking about FR not liking families....my little screamer will arrive in about 4 months but from a selfish point of view I couldn't be bothered what FR like or want, really, as today I received the news that a very good italian carrier (no F3G,not AZ!!!;) ) is starting flights between my city and London, that means BYE BYE FR!!! Hopefully I'll never see you again!!! YIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!:E :D

Final 3 Greens

22nd Oct 2006, 18:01

flybywire

22nd Oct 2006, 18:32

Hi FBW
I received the news that a very good italian carrier (no F3G,not AZ!!! ) is starting flights between my city and London, that means BYE BYE FR!!!
Do you mean Meridiana?
They do great sandwiches :O :O

No honey! Although I love their sandwiches! AP will start flying to my city although apparently a "partner carrier" will operate the flight with an ARJ70, so could be anybody.......but with the Lufthansa name attached to their brand I have never had any problem with AP, and to top it up their CRJ900 are absolutely stunning and a real pleasure to fly on. The crew have always been so professional and so kind too, which does make a difference for me (working in the same business you develop a critical approach, in good and bad!!)

And....silly me I have just found out that BMI fly to PMO from LHR so I now know how I am going to take my little bundle of screams on holiday next year......you see 2007 will be a MOL free year for me! :ok:

FBW

PS: I agree entirely with what you've been saying in this thread and I do wish I could have some of those people who think FR customer service is the best on one of my flights...there's a difference between feeling hassled and having to stick with it or having people around you who will try to take the hassle away from you. Sometimes you pay more for it but not always, you just have to be smart and find the best deal! :ok:

wildweeble

22nd Oct 2006, 21:50

Ah, CARR30, I'd love to fly anyone but FR; unfortunately they're the only lot doing STN/LIG - the route I use the most. Buzz used to do it, bless 'em. They were lovely. I wish someone else would have a crack at that route!
My issue is not with low cost airlines per se, but with the customer-hating attitude of MOL. And yes, like a lot of people I have particular concerns when this mindset begins to impinge on safety - the case in point here being the possible separation of children and parents onboard.
I drive a couple of times a month from London to Glasgow and back. It costs me £38 per 409 miles and I do it in five and a half hours. That's only an hour longer, door to door, than flying and of course I have my car with me in Glasgow.
I'd happily drive the 450 miles to Limoges, but cannot take my car via the tunnel due to the silly LPG regulations. The ferry costs a bucket and adds about two hours extra.
All suggestions on how to do London Limoges without using FR and in reasonable time and cost appreciated.
A final thought: Recently at the FR ticket desk at STN, as I was paying for my hold luggage (ha!), I told the glum-looking FR staff that although I was sure that they themselves were lovely people, I hated Ryan Air and MOL in particular. "So do we!" they chorused and, for the first time, looked cheerful.

CARR30

23rd Oct 2006, 05:26

wildweeble

23rd Oct 2006, 10:38

Wildweeble
You do not have to fly Ryanair. You could try Flybe Southampton / Limoges or else buy a diesel car. You hate Ryanair so much but to save a few pence on fuel or an extra hour or so on the channnel crossing you betray your principles and supposedly your safety.
The truth is that Ryanair is a bargain, is convenient, not that bad and has given thousands of us a chance to enjoy cheap sejours in our French second homes.
I'd find it highly amusing if the Stansted/Limoges route was axed the way that Clermont Ferrand was, except for the fact the I have a house in Haute Vienne and know full well that a 900 mile round trip by car is not something for the weekend.

I'll certainly try Flybe, thanks. Perhaps I haven't made my point entirely clear. The issue under discussion here is priority board for families with young children. The point was raised that without priority boarding, it is possible, probable even, that parents and young children will be separated onboard. This is unequivocably a safety issue - and for all of the reasons expounded by others here. It is clear that FR really hasn't thought this one through properly. And it hasn't happened YET (pace my principles). But we are told it will.

As for other FR safety issues, I'm kept well informed by a friend who is an FR captain and by the general debate. If I thought it was unsafe to fly FR at present, I simply wouldn't - same as I tend not to lay down on the railway tracks when the express is due.

But I do have concerns over the corrosive nature of the FR management mindset. Yes, I can choose to be treated like scum in return for a low fare, and I'm perfectly entitled to resent it. But when that mindset has a palpable relationship to a safety issue, we should all be concerned.

WHBM

23rd Oct 2006, 11:14

I use FR for business trips. It serves some routes that are convenient to me and is as punctual as any other. When I go to Ayrshire, Scotland, it is more convenient to take FR to Prestwick than others to Glasgow.

But I wish those above would stop posting about low cost. I usually book on the day, or the day before. And then the fares are just what you would pay with a mainstream carrier. For example Bristol to Dublin, one-way, was a £150 walk-up fare on a 30-minute sector. OK, I was in Devon, I suddenly got the call to be in Dublin next day. And I paid it.

What I do object to, as Ryanair's High Fares passenger (and looking at their profits I suspect there are many of us) is you get the same offhand service as all others. Now I know we can't be singled out for less-rude treatment by the cabin crew (actually some of their crew bases are much better than others; well done all at PIK, unfortunately the base across the Irish Sea seems to be the one that lets the side down so often). But even when you pay those high fares, should the flight is canx due to bad weather, you just try the FR route for getting a refund of your £300 or so. Unbelievable. We haven't all paid peanuts.

CARR30

23rd Oct 2006, 21:08

. Perhaps I haven't made my point entirely clear. The issue under discussion here is priority board for families with young children.
The point is whether or not they want to stump up a meagre £2/€3 for a priority boarding pass and I don't think that encouraging a cabin revolt in retaliation is a very apposite response. I'd like to think that us passengers might have the courtesy to switch seats if children were distressed by separation. How do you suppose families manage on train journeys which are often longer than FR's Euro-hops and have the additional distraction of intermediate stops?

Specifically I've never been treated like 'scum' by Ryanair staff, I don't think that banning LPG in the tunnel is 'silly' and I don't think that flying with professional, qualified aircrew will ever be analogous to laying on a railway track.

This is, of course, leading nowhere, but I'm genuinely curious as to why these discussions about Ryanair's commercial decisions always descend into such hyperbolic nonsense.

SXB

23rd Oct 2006, 21:58

This is, of course, leading nowhere, but I'm genuinely curious as to why these discussions about Ryanair's commercial decisions always descend into such hyperbolic nonsense.

Carr30

I'm not sure it's hyperbolic nonsense but the impression I received when using FR was one which was always just short of what I would describe as 'professional' Everything about them was always short of what I expected. I think a lot of that is down to the salaries they pay, everyone connected to the company, with the exception of the flight crew (the one area where they can't cut corners) seems to be at the beginning of their career and without experience. The cabin crew appear to make very basic errors in the areas of both customer service and safety. In the case of the former I saw a cabin crew staff member completely mis-understand a comment from a customer because her English was not good enough and in the latter I remember a 10 year old child sat with his 80 year old grandparents in the emergency exit row. Both incidents, I'm sure, we're because the CC were too busy, the aircraft boarded in about 5 mins and immediately began its taxi and then took off, no noticeable seatbelt check.

I wish FR (and their passengers) the best of luck but my money (and that of my employer) will always be heading to BA, Lufthansa and all the other quality legacy flyers who, over a long period of time, have provided me with first class service.

SXB

23rd Oct 2006, 22:12

PAXboy

23rd Oct 2006, 22:50

SXB... the impression I received when using FR was one which was always just short of what I would describe as 'professional' Everything about them was always short of what I expected.

Well, you just know that one of us smart alecs is going to say:
In that case - adjust your expectations!!!! :p ;)

wildweeble

23rd Oct 2006, 23:39

The point is whether or not they want to stump up a meagre £2/€3 for a priority boarding pass and I don't think that encouraging a cabin revolt in retaliation is a very apposite response. I'd like to think that us passengers might have the courtesy to switch seats if children were distressed by separation. How do you suppose families manage on train journeys which are often longer than FR's Euro-hops and have the additional distraction of intermediate stops?

Specifically I've never been treated like 'scum' by Ryanair staff, I don't think that banning LPG in the tunnel is 'silly' and I don't think that flying with professional, qualified aircrew will ever be analogous to laying on a railway track.

This is, of course, leading nowhere, but I'm genuinely curious as to why these discussions about Ryanair's commercial decisions always descend into such hyperbolic nonsense.

Oh dear, I rather think that any hyperbole is entirely yours, CARR30. You're so busy rubbishing me that you've failed entirely to address the point.

Answer this: in what way is it right to make a safety issue - in this instance children sitting with their parents - an 'extra'?

TightSlot

24th Oct 2006, 00:12

This is, of course, leading nowhere, but I'm genuinely curious as to why these discussions about Ryanair's commercial decisions always descend into such hyperbolic nonsense.
There's something about FR that seems to polarise opinions here on PPRuNe - I think it is their habit of challenging the sacred cows of the aviation industry, usually for financial gain. They do so in remarkably clever ways. In some cases, they may be making a reasonable point, and in some cases, you suspect not. Either way, the important things to remember (IMHO) is that they put bums on seats, and do so more efficiently than many others. Any airline that can't do the same is an airline that is challenged.
As Cabin Crew, I find this new policy distasteful and regrettable - but I also know that my reaction is colored by my overall view of this airline: It's important to recognise that I may be wrong. In the end, Ryanairs' cashflow will show who is right, and I suspect that as so often, those who populate the floor at night at STN and LTN will prove FR to be on the money.

Until Europe decides differently, the Ryanair juggernaut will roll on - we will all have to find our own way to deal with it!

P.S. - posting as a personal opinion, not as a mod

flybywire

24th Oct 2006, 16:45

Hello FBW
My comments about children in business class were meant to illustrate, as you mentioned, that it's actually the parent rather than the actual child who dictate their behaviour.

I've sat next to screaming babies on numerous occasions and it doesn't bother me at all, probably because I've listened to my own kids screaming when they were babies. You have all this to look forward to :) In my experience most people are extremely understanding whether on a plane or elsewhere.

Enjoy them while they are young as they grow up very quickly:)

Thank you SXB, I Know exactly what you mean, I just wanted to say that mini-business passengers are actually increasing, as nowadays families enjoy the "extras" that you get by paying a premium.

I will definitely enjoy flying with my little one when he/she is born, and even before this thread appeared on pprune I had already made up my mind that no way I would risk my sanity or even more anymore by flying FR to see my family. Well, as I have said before thanks Lufthansa for doing something intelligent and giving me a much better option!! :E

I am like you screaming kids do not bother me, unless it's clearly their parents' fault.......

FBW

BaronChotzinoff

29th Oct 2006, 22:56

I've been enjoying the benefits of Ryanair priority boarding since I started cycling to EMA with only a tailbox-full to my name, and once or twice with Easyjet by getting first in the queue, but it's a dubious privilege. All it takes is for Mr Fatso or Jurgen the Gigantic German to make a beeline for you - nice, tidy, amenable chap that you are - and the whole flight is a misery, whereas at least you get to choose whom to park your ass next to if you're last to board.

Ametyst

30th Oct 2006, 07:50

Who is primarily responsible for the childrens safety? The airline or the parents?

If parents are so concerned about safety and sitting together why don't they just stump up the £10 (for a family of 5) to have priority boarding. Parents spend a lot more in WH Smith on Mars bars, fizzy drinks and crisps or at Burger King for their kids, many of which look has they have gone minutes since their last feed!

Perhaps the parents that moan about the Ryanair charges should get their priorities rights. Safety or junk food?

amanoffewwords

30th Oct 2006, 08:07

Who is primarily responsible for the childrens safety? The airline or the parents?
If parents are so concerned about safety and sitting together why don't they just stump up the £10 (for a family of 5) to have priority boarding. Parents spend a lot more in WH Smith on Mars bars, fizzy drinks and crisps or at Burger King for their kids, many of which look has they have gone minutes since their last feed!
Perhaps the parents that moan about the Ryanair charges should get their priorities rights. Safety or junk food?

Do you write for the Sun?:yuk:

stansdead

30th Oct 2006, 08:37

Is it not possible that all 189 pax could pay for priority boarding on any one flight?

Therefore ending up with the usual undignified and probably violent crush?

Or will it be limited in numbers?

Flying_Frisbee

30th Oct 2006, 10:40

Who is primarily responsible for the childrens safety? The airline or the parents?

If the airline doesn't ensure that the child and at least one parent are together then surely the child is unaccompanied?
I assume Ryanair are trying this on in the hope that it won't be challenged, either through the courts or by the CAA.
By the way, much as I dislike doing so, I've just booked flights with FR: total cost eur 270 compared with BA's eur 1100. And without a stop in LGW.

tart1

30th Oct 2006, 11:09

why don't they just stump up the £10
Why should they have to, when it is a safety issue?

Agree with everything you say though about families and the obscene amount they spend on junk food, etc, when they are already overweight and don't do enough excercise, and let their kids have mobile phones, and TV in their bedroom when they are too young and don't discipline them enough and then they turn into yobs who smash up phone boxes and mug old ladies ...

... but that is not really the point here (in my own very humble opinion!) ;)

jack_essex

30th Oct 2006, 15:49

Carr30
I wish FR (and their passengers) the best of luck but my money (and that of my employer) will always be heading to BA, Lufthansa and all the other quality legacy flyers who, over a long period of time, have provided me with first class service.
Well thats it! If the boss if paying for it then everyone would be flying with BA, Lufthansa etc wouldn't they.

I really don't see a need for this topic to continue. Everyone knows Ryanair do things like this. And what is the difference now. (Don't say safety issues. If parents and children want to sit together just pay the £2). I personally think this new boarding process is a great idea! No more rude families pushing to the front demanding to get on first, no more 'I have had an operation on my hand, I need to get on first', 'I need to get on first because I can't stand up for long (young people saying this of course, well sit down lol). Messing around with pre boards takes such a long time, and when you only have around 10/15 mins to board a fully booked flight time is extremely scarce.

As just mentioned Ryanair is one of if, not the most popular airlines in Europe (In terms of passengers numbers and routes flown). They continue to increase their passenger numbers, profits routes at an amazing pace. If you don't want to fly with them, don't. It really is as simple as that! Don't bother slagging them off saying the all time favourite quote 'I will never fly with Ryanair again' only to find yourself booking that £25 all in return flight to Spain, France Italy because they are simply the cheapest deal.

Globaliser

30th Oct 2006, 18:20

(Don't say safety issues. If parents and children want to sit together just pay the £2).If it is a safety issue that parents and children must sit together (and I can see the force of that), then requiring them to pay the extra money to secure that result, when it is not truly an option, is unfair.

flybywire

30th Oct 2006, 19:18

Is it not possible that all 189 pax could pay for priority boarding on any one flight?
Therefore ending up with the usual undignified and probably violent crush?
Or will it be limited in numbers?

Do you really think that MOL would limit the amount of extra money he would make on any single flight by reducing the number of priority passes to a certain number?:uhoh:

I do not think so, I think he would be there laughing at the ground/air staff trying to stop people punching each other :ouch:

SXB

30th Oct 2006, 23:35

I assume Ryanair are trying this on in the hope that it won't be challenged, either through the courts or by the CAA.

Wouldn't that actually be the IAA in the case of FR ?

If it is a safety issue that parents and children must sit together (and I can see the force of that), then requiring them to pay the extra money to secure that result, when it is not truly an option, is unfair.

It's clear that a 30 month old child needs to be under the supervision of a responsible adult, I believe that's a condition of carriage. That said, FR must have looked into the lagal ramifications of not being able to gaurantee adult and child being seated immediately next to each other without an extra compulsory payment. Of course even a legacy carrier can't guarantee seats next to each other, though in practice they do of course.

If, on a FR flight, a 30 month old infant was seated 10 rows from his/her parent(s) without any supervision I think the Captain may consider the cabin is not correctly configured for takeoff and may decide to defer takeoff until the cabin is correctly configured. I'd be interested to hear any opinions that FC may have on this subject.

Someone earlier said that the difference between BA and FR on a particular trip was €1100 against €270, normally it isn't anywhere near this, in fact BA are sometimes cheaper, but even so I'll pay the extra €830 or so and have my children right next to me.

jayteeto

31st Oct 2006, 05:05

You may think that I am an Ass, but it really grips me that I get up early, get to check in very very early and try to get pass number for first boarding call. Families get 90 minutes extra sleep, swan in at the last minute and EXPECT to get the best seats. Why not a compromise........ when they call each block of pax forward, let the families holding passes in that block board first??:ok:

Final 3 Greens

31st Oct 2006, 06:10

Jayteeto

Ryanair really doesn't care about how you feel, it judges success on aggregated numbers, i.e. 42m people a year can't be wrong.

So the choice is simple (a) if the advantages are worth the frustration, accept it or (b) if they are not, choose an airline that allocates seats.

jack_essex

31st Oct 2006, 19:39

Some news about the new boarding process starting tomorrow.

As already known, passengers will only get pre-boarded if they pay the £2 at the airport, for old bookings, or via the internet whilst booking a new ticket. You will only need to pay for the online check in if you make a booking after the 1st of November. For old bookings you will not be charged.

The boarding lanes will change at STN. One lane for pre board passengers. There will be a limit of 60 passengers able to use the pre boarding system. And there will be one queue for 'All other passengers'. If there is a passenger in the pre board queue without a valid 'token' they will go to the back of the other queue.

The manifest will list all the passengers who have paid for pre board so will know who to give the tokens to. Tokens can be collected at the ticket sales desks.

For passengers who have told Ryanair of a special assistance required such as wheelchair they will have their seats reserved for them on board and will be boarded last.

There are lots of other things changing but I can't remember them all at the moment.

I personally think its a great idea! LOL. Although it will make life SO much harder for gate staff who will get that much more abuse from passengers. And with the baggage allowance going back down to 15 kgs check in will be that much more stressful for the agents.

CARR30

2nd Nov 2006, 05:27

Do you really think that MOL would limit the amount of extra money he would make on any single flight by reducing the number of priority passes to a certain number?:uhoh:
I do not think so, I think he would be there laughing at the ground/air staff trying to stop people punching each other :ouch:

It's obvious that if everyone began paying for priority boarding then the price would go up until the demand dropped to fill the quota. That's how 1st class works.

To say that passengers would start punching each other over priority boarding shows more contempt towards the decency of us SLF than ever MOL has managed.

What is it about these FR threads?

Final 3 Greens

2nd Nov 2006, 11:56

Carr30

To say that passengers would start punching each other over priority boarding shows more contempt towards the decency of us SLF than ever MOL has managed.

Yesterday evening, at LCY, two guys (Swiss German or German, hard to say) had a very heated confrontation because one thought the other was queue jumping. Not blows, but close to it.

In fact, the check in agent had called forward all emaining pax for a flight that was close to closing.

So a punch up in a Ryanair queue is not beyond the realms of comprehension.

lexxity

2nd Nov 2006, 14:55

Having seen two pilots going for it on the ramp, pax duelling it out is by no means impossible.:ouch:

CARR30

2nd Nov 2006, 19:44

So a punch up in a Ryanair queue is not beyond the realms of comprehension.
I expect you mean "possibility".
Ryanair somehow being related to 2 Germans nearly having a scrap in Docklands marks the nadir of FR-bashing hereabouts IMO.
What a waste of time all this is.

Final 3 Greens

2nd Nov 2006, 20:04

Well Carr30, why don't you desist from posting your banal comments that we respond to, then?

For the sake of people like yourself, who display monocontextual understanding, I would add that a punch up in a Tesco's queue is also within the bounds of comprehension.

Furthermore, if your dim brain can recall seeing these, why do you think that many government agencies and companies have signs stating that they will prosecute people who assault their employees?

Jeez, get a life :ugh: