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Ryanair and "Priority Boarding"

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Ryanair and "Priority Boarding"

Old 21st Oct 2006, 12:10
  #41 (permalink)  
Final 3 Greens
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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.
 
Old 21st Oct 2006, 12:43
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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.

Last edited by smith; 21st Oct 2006 at 12:47. Reason: Addition
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Old 21st Oct 2006, 15:11
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Parents hit back

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.
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Old 21st Oct 2006, 20:23
  #44 (permalink)  
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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.
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Old 21st Oct 2006, 20:36
  #45 (permalink)  
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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.
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Old 21st Oct 2006, 21:01
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Originally Posted by Final 3 Greens
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.
My point entirely. If you want "them and us", pay for it. If you want to go budget, do it with your eyes open.
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 00:48
  #47 (permalink)  
 
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wildweeble

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!!!

Last edited by smith; 22nd Oct 2006 at 01:02. Reason: added material
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 10:39
  #48 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by wildweeble
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), .
etc etc
Wildweeble - Ryanair is not for you. Find another way to travel.
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 12:03
  #49 (permalink)  
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Originally Posted by jack_essex
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.
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 15:41
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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.
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 17:38
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Originally Posted by XSBaggage
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?
(I'll be laughing my off!) ---> and so will MOL!!!

Last edited by flybywire; 22nd Oct 2006 at 17:59.
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 17:52
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Originally Posted by SXB
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!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 18:01
  #53 (permalink)  
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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
 
Old 22nd Oct 2006, 18:32
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Originally Posted by Final 3 Greens
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
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!

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!
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Old 22nd Oct 2006, 21:50
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Oh for an alternative

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.
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Old 23rd Oct 2006, 05:26
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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.
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Old 23rd Oct 2006, 10:38
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back on track

Originally Posted by CARR30
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.
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Old 23rd Oct 2006, 11:14
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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.
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Old 23rd Oct 2006, 21:08
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Originally Posted by wildweeble
. 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.
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Old 23rd Oct 2006, 21:58
  #60 (permalink)  
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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.
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