Pax who are allowed to jump queue
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Pax who are allowed to jump queue
I expect this subject has been raised before but both the problem and the oft-encountered reaction of the staff annoys me.
I came back from Guernsey to Bristol with Aurigny this week and whilst waiting to board the ATR 72 at Guernsey Airport, the woman at the gate announced, "Now ready to board etc etc, passengers in rows 1 to 7 only." (this equates to 28 seats). Very sensible because the aircraft was boarding from the rear and obviously it would assist boarding if there were no pax trying to get into rear seats who would be in the way of those going to the front.
What happened? About forty people got up and made for the gate. No-one was stopped and they all passed through and walked to the aircraft. The rest of us who played the game and sat down until our seat rows were called were left to fight for the overhead luggage space.
Why don't the boarding staff simply stop anyone from boarding until their seat numbers have been called?
I spoke to another member of the Aurigny check in staff at the bottom of the aircraft steps and asked him why it was allowed to happen. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
I was pleased to see positive action to prevent this sort of thing at Newcastle recently when some easyJet passengers tried to jump the queue (in easy's case pax are provided with a boarding number as they check in and the earlier you check in the lower the number you get and hence are allowed onto the a/c before the higher numbers). Some people with high numbers tried it on but were rebuffed. Well done to the staff!
I came back from Guernsey to Bristol with Aurigny this week and whilst waiting to board the ATR 72 at Guernsey Airport, the woman at the gate announced, "Now ready to board etc etc, passengers in rows 1 to 7 only." (this equates to 28 seats). Very sensible because the aircraft was boarding from the rear and obviously it would assist boarding if there were no pax trying to get into rear seats who would be in the way of those going to the front.
What happened? About forty people got up and made for the gate. No-one was stopped and they all passed through and walked to the aircraft. The rest of us who played the game and sat down until our seat rows were called were left to fight for the overhead luggage space.
Why don't the boarding staff simply stop anyone from boarding until their seat numbers have been called?
I spoke to another member of the Aurigny check in staff at the bottom of the aircraft steps and asked him why it was allowed to happen. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
I was pleased to see positive action to prevent this sort of thing at Newcastle recently when some easyJet passengers tried to jump the queue (in easy's case pax are provided with a boarding number as they check in and the earlier you check in the lower the number you get and hence are allowed onto the a/c before the higher numbers). Some people with high numbers tried it on but were rebuffed. Well done to the staff!
Paxing All Over The World
MV, yep agree 100%. The EZY folk do seem to be better at controlling this than those carriers with allocated seats. This farce of calling row numbers and then ignoring them has been around for at least five years.
I have also met the shrugged shoulders, so my guess is that the 'aggro' and bad language that they will get from many pax these days is not worth the benefit of trying to enforce it. If the ground staff get everyone across the threshold - then they have done their job.
Given the foul mouths of some pax, I do not blame them, however much is irritates the
out of me. 
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
I have also met the shrugged shoulders, so my guess is that the 'aggro' and bad language that they will get from many pax these days is not worth the benefit of trying to enforce it. If the ground staff get everyone across the threshold - then they have done their job.
Given the foul mouths of some pax, I do not blame them, however much is irritates the
out of me. --------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
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The rest of us... were left to fight for the overhead luggage space
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Just to clarify, the probable reasoning behind boarding the ATR-72 from the front rows is for a balance issue. The length of the A/C aft of the landing gear dictates that pax need to be seated in the first few rows first, to prevent tipping of the aircraft at the rear.
And on the matter of other airlines calling rows and not stopping other pax from boarding, there is actually a reasoning behind this. The airlines often like to have strict protocall for boarding specific seat rows first, however the boarding agent is only concerned with getting all the pax on the a/c in the quickest possible time, therefore it makes no sense to be waiting around trying to explain to pax what seat row number they are in on their boarding card. Even though they have to call certain seats in the boarding announcement. So they just get all the punters on asap!
Platinum206
And on the matter of other airlines calling rows and not stopping other pax from boarding, there is actually a reasoning behind this. The airlines often like to have strict protocall for boarding specific seat rows first, however the boarding agent is only concerned with getting all the pax on the a/c in the quickest possible time, therefore it makes no sense to be waiting around trying to explain to pax what seat row number they are in on their boarding card. Even though they have to call certain seats in the boarding announcement. So they just get all the punters on asap!
Platinum206
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Having had a little dig at Aurigny, who I am sure are no worse than many other airlines with this problem, I feel it is only fair to balance my observations towards them.
I have never flown with them before but found them to be efficient, comfortable and friendly. I would happily use them again. There was a delay on the return flight but that was due to an earlier bomb scare at Guernsey Airport so the airline cannot be blamed for that.
What particularly impressed my wife and me was the care afforded to two unaccompanied minors on the flight. They were a boy and girl of about 11 and 12 (presumably brother and sister) and they were seated opposite us.
Prior to the flight we noticed how the Aurigny staff in the deparure lounge kept a friendly eye on them explaining the reasons for the delay. They were escorted to the aircraft and during the flight the cabin staff made sure they were problem free.
At Bristol we parked on a remote stand and the Servissair rep met the youngsters from the aircraft and put them on the huge airport coach. Not only that but they were put in seats up front alongside the driver. Their faces were a delight to behold at this, and they then enjoyed the long drive along Bristol's circuitous apron road route as the coach threaded its way around about a dozen parked passenger aircraft. They were escorted through the arrivals hall but we then lost sight of them.
Well done to all concerned. It would have been a relief to the childrens' parents/guardians to know how well their youngsters were looked after.
I have never flown with them before but found them to be efficient, comfortable and friendly. I would happily use them again. There was a delay on the return flight but that was due to an earlier bomb scare at Guernsey Airport so the airline cannot be blamed for that.
What particularly impressed my wife and me was the care afforded to two unaccompanied minors on the flight. They were a boy and girl of about 11 and 12 (presumably brother and sister) and they were seated opposite us.
Prior to the flight we noticed how the Aurigny staff in the deparure lounge kept a friendly eye on them explaining the reasons for the delay. They were escorted to the aircraft and during the flight the cabin staff made sure they were problem free.
At Bristol we parked on a remote stand and the Servissair rep met the youngsters from the aircraft and put them on the huge airport coach. Not only that but they were put in seats up front alongside the driver. Their faces were a delight to behold at this, and they then enjoyed the long drive along Bristol's circuitous apron road route as the coach threaded its way around about a dozen parked passenger aircraft. They were escorted through the arrivals hall but we then lost sight of them.
Well done to all concerned. It would have been a relief to the childrens' parents/guardians to know how well their youngsters were looked after.
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I had to applaude check in staff in Brisbane just after New Years who quite professionally pointed out to a group of pax who totally ignored the call for the back rows of the aircraft and were seated at the front. She said something along the lines of "Now, I know you're all excited to strap yourselves in for the next 8 hours, but it's not your turn yet!". Brilliant.
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My personal view is that Easy need to do a lot more about the rush for the gate. For example, at Gatwick for Alicante, I've twice seen it now where passengers with infants are invited to board first, regardless of issued number. The qualifying infants are often 9 or 10 years old with the gate staff happily letting this abuse go on. It's a wind-up for passengers who play by the rules. This means a family with just about any size of child(ren) can turn up at the very last minute and board first. All you have to do is specify an upper age for an "infant" to cut down on this abuse.
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A few months ago, we were given the go-ahead to start boarding a Domestic flight and I made the usual "seat row numbers" - Rows 12 to 25. (Now, I never use the term "strictly by seat number", I always "ask for your co-operation in order to speed up the boarding process" as I feel it is just a little more pleasant.)
Up strides Mr x in Row 1, "I can board first", quoth he, "I'm a Silver Card holder and the rules say I can have preferential boarding!"
"As you wish", I replied, "Only don't blame me if you find yourself being bumped around by all the other passengers trying to squeeze past you!"
A portly business gent was next up. He winked, and said quietly "Nothing will give me greater pleasure than knocking that guy outta my way!"
Up strides Mr x in Row 1, "I can board first", quoth he, "I'm a Silver Card holder and the rules say I can have preferential boarding!"
"As you wish", I replied, "Only don't blame me if you find yourself being bumped around by all the other passengers trying to squeeze past you!"
A portly business gent was next up. He winked, and said quietly "Nothing will give me greater pleasure than knocking that guy outta my way!"
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"I'm a Silver Card holder and the rules say I can have preferential boarding!"
Nothing annoys me more than these w
s who turn up at a gate or at checkin and demand this that and the other and whinge all the time,On the other hand there are some execs who are very pleseant, i met an elderly couple last week (gold card holders & one was a wchr pax) and they were so polite i went out of my way to help them just a shame the vast majority of regular travellers leave their manners at home when they fly.
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"I'm a Silver Card holder and the rules say I can have preferential boarding!"
"At departure, priority boarding means you can board at your convenience regardless of the class you are travelling that day."
So this guy is only asking for the privilege that he's been offered and should you have invited premium card holders to board anytime as an SOP?
If you see the other thread about pax who ignore the boarding order, them it is easy to see why a business executive wishes to get on first and find a stowage space for his carry on kit that is near to his seat.
It's not just about convenience, but also protecting the valuable property involved (including data on laptops/PDAs.)
So Bealine, for once my friend, I think you are a little out of order here.
And Finals to Land thinks that asking for a service that is promoted by the airline makes this guy a w
r.Unbelievable
Perhaps you should get a job in a burger restaurant where all customer are equal? It is because the airline industry pushes priviliges and a better service for FQTVs and premium pax, that causes people ask for them.
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FTG, with respect I think you've confused the issue of boarding by row number and boarding by class.
As Bealine was boarding by row number the "privilege" of the silver card doesn't apply.
As Bealine was boarding by row number the "privilege" of the silver card doesn't apply.
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Depends
Depends... some airlines announce "First Class, Card X and Card Z passengers may board at their convenience." Gets confusing within alliances when you may think you can board as you please, but this may not be the case.
As to the wording on the ba.com site, it could be re-done to remove the ambiguity.
Momo
As to the wording on the ba.com site, it could be re-done to remove the ambiguity.
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IN fact, BA.com states this benefit for Silver card holders
In any event, on ourshort-haul aircraft fleet, no economy passenger should have more than 6kg of cabin baggage plus (at our discretion) a lap-top, so stowage space shouldn't be a problem!!! (yeah, right!)
So, FTG, Bealine's not our of order - I did, after all, allow Mr W****r to board first!!!
(I didn't call him W****r first, though!)
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OJS
With respect, you are wrong, the BA website is quite clear.
As Bealine says, it is a disconnect between one internal department and another, but the pax suffers. He may well have been a pr*t in his approach, but he was entitled to the service he had to ask for.
There are some issues an airline has little control over (See the recent thread about Heathrow angst), but this is not one of them.
Amazngly enough, I believe that this situation is a throwback to the BEA and BOAC days, where the two airlines had significantly different operating models/philosphies and "long haul was king" - anyone like to comment?
Bealine
WHat about First or CLub World pax connecting from long haul? 
No don\'t waste the keyboard time, I\'m only joking 
With respect, you are wrong, the BA website is quite clear.
As Bealine says, it is a disconnect between one internal department and another, but the pax suffers. He may well have been a pr*t in his approach, but he was entitled to the service he had to ask for.
There are some issues an airline has little control over (See the recent thread about Heathrow angst), but this is not one of them.
Amazngly enough, I believe that this situation is a throwback to the BEA and BOAC days, where the two airlines had significantly different operating models/philosphies and "long haul was king" - anyone like to comment?
Bealine
In any event, on ourshort-haul aircraft fleet, no economy passenger should have more than 6kg of cabin baggage plus (at our discretion) a lap-top, so stowage space shouldn\'t be a problem!!! (yeah, right!)
No don\'t waste the keyboard time, I\'m only joking
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Just flew back to London on easyjet.
I have to say they called Priority 1-30 and the whole gate got up and rushed to the desk. Poor old me a bit slow off the blocks and playing the game ( i was 31 typical!) ended up at the back of the queue.
Also cant say Im in favour of this free seating lark. I cant see how it saves time. All the first pax sat at front blocking oncoming pax, there were arguments about sitting with friends/colleagues/other halfs/1 pax in emregncy exit with crutches requiring reshuffle/ and finally when you have four rows with two people in and you are forced to turn one of these into 3 people sitting there you should see the dirty looks.
Please allocate seats at check-in. Its fairer and quicker!!!
I have to say they called Priority 1-30 and the whole gate got up and rushed to the desk. Poor old me a bit slow off the blocks and playing the game ( i was 31 typical!) ended up at the back of the queue.
Also cant say Im in favour of this free seating lark. I cant see how it saves time. All the first pax sat at front blocking oncoming pax, there were arguments about sitting with friends/colleagues/other halfs/1 pax in emregncy exit with crutches requiring reshuffle/ and finally when you have four rows with two people in and you are forced to turn one of these into 3 people sitting there you should see the dirty looks.
Please allocate seats at check-in. Its fairer and quicker!!!
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Splitter, I agree.
Low cost airlines are all about keeping the utilisation of the a/c at a maximum, and ground time at a minimum.
Why not the following: (this could work as well with Long Haul flights.
1/ Seats are allocated at checkin and each person is given a colored card with a number on it, depending on where they are sitting. The first person to check in receives card 1 and so on..
2/ at the boarding gate you get in line according to your number. (1 at the front of the line and 130 at the back of the line for a B737-300)
3/ At boarding time, number 1 goes straight to the back of the aircraft and number 2 follows and so on.
This would:
a/ minimise passenger loading time.
b/ stop the frustration of me and other passengers by the deleting the problem of getting held up behind other passengers loading their duty free, their hand luggage and their jackets in the overhead.
Just an idea.... any other ideas out there?
Low cost airlines are all about keeping the utilisation of the a/c at a maximum, and ground time at a minimum.
Why not the following: (this could work as well with Long Haul flights.
1/ Seats are allocated at checkin and each person is given a colored card with a number on it, depending on where they are sitting. The first person to check in receives card 1 and so on..
2/ at the boarding gate you get in line according to your number. (1 at the front of the line and 130 at the back of the line for a B737-300)
3/ At boarding time, number 1 goes straight to the back of the aircraft and number 2 follows and so on.
This would:
a/ minimise passenger loading time.
b/ stop the frustration of me and other passengers by the deleting the problem of getting held up behind other passengers loading their duty free, their hand luggage and their jackets in the overhead.
Just an idea.... any other ideas out there?
'nough said
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3/ At boarding time, number 1 goes straight to the back of the aircraft
I can't see your idea working though - I can see people pretending to lose their cards en route to the aircraft to get a better a seat - and then it's back to the bullying etc.
Seat allocations always works best for me, hence I will never set foot on an Easyjet plane - have refused before for that reason.
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I would favour the allocated system just like You splitter and an-124. However there's no need to re-invent the wheel here. When Easyjet absorbed Go, they carried on their habit of seat allocation for a short while and it worked fine, ie: Easyjet planes running an allocated seat system. Strange how they can't be bothered to do it now, and apparently would rather have irritated pax boarding.
I can't fault them otherwise...
I can't fault them otherwise...