Ryanair and "Priority Boarding"
Riding the Euro Gravy Plane
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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
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
Paxing All Over The World
SXB
Well, you just know that one of us smart alecs is going to say:
In that case - adjust your expectations!!!!
... 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.
In that case - adjust your expectations!!!!
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Pay attention in class
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.
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.
Answer this: in what way is it right to make a safety issue - in this instance children sitting with their parents - an 'extra'?
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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
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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
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
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!!
I am like you screaming kids do not bother me, unless it's clearly their parents' fault.......
FBW
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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.
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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?
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?
'nough said
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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?
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?
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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?
Therefore ending up with the usual undignified and probably violent crush?
Or will it be limited in numbers?
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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.
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why don't they just stump up the £10
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!)
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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.
Last edited by jack_essex; 30th Oct 2006 at 16:06.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
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.
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I do not think so, I think he would be there laughing at the ground/air staff trying to stop people punching each other
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I assume Ryanair are trying this on in the hope that it won't be challenged, either through the courts or by the CAA.
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.
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.
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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??
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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?
I do not think so, I think he would be there laughing at the ground/air staff trying to stop people punching each other
I do not think so, I think he would be there laughing at the ground/air staff trying to stop people punching each other
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?
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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.
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.