Boarding Chaos
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Boarding Chaos
Thinking about what I really disliked about many of my most recent flights, I came to the conclusion that it's the disorganised nature of the boarding process. Airlines/handling agents frequently seem to have difficulty getting this right. EasyJet, although not alone, is, for me, a prime offender. For example, on recent flights from Stansted and Madrid there was chaos at the gates as agents announced first "Speedy Boarders", then those needing assistance, followed by group A and then group B. I had to negotiate my way at both airports through crowds blocking access to the gate. Now, of course, passengers themselves are primarily to blame for not remaining seated until their category is called but the airlines/their agents must, by now, have realised that significant numbers of passengers are going to ignore pleas to remain seated. Although Ryanair also has this problem where there are no separate "priority" and "non-priority" lines, as is sometimes the case, say, at Valencia, it shows how it can be done (for example, at Belfast City, where - in my experience - boarding is always orderly).
I'd be interested to hear from those in the industry about the degree to which this is a recognised problem and about any ideas designed to make this aspect of flying more pleasant.
I'd be interested to hear from those in the industry about the degree to which this is a recognised problem and about any ideas designed to make this aspect of flying more pleasant.
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Disgusted of Tunbridge
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Look, take a tip. After extensive positioning on Ryanair for the last year, here's how to do it. Whatever you do, don't be an early boarder, and NEVER pay for the 'privilege'! As you sit there, and the FB comes gasping down the aisle, barely able to squeeze it's over large carcase between the seats, you just KNOW it's coming to the seat next to you....the middle seat, and it's going to smell, and its bingo wings will be jabbing into your ribs! So what exactly has your 'Priority Boarding' got you? Even if the aeroplane is 95% full, you can stroll aboard last, or near to last, and stroll down the aisle, carefully marking location of squawking babies, rowing couples, drunks, people spilling over into the empty seat, and avoid. And very often the CC, to get everybody seated quickly, will direct you into a kept-empty-so-far overwing exit seat.
('Tips for travelling on Ryanair No. 23')
And whatever you do, smile, even if you've got a headache, smile, sitdown and shuddup. The cabin crew are on a monstrous long multi-sector day, they got up at 'O God not another one' O'clock, they have headaches, they are pre-menstrual, just sit there and shuddup, OK?
('Tips for travelling on Ryanair No. 2')
('Tips for travelling on Ryanair No. 23')
And whatever you do, smile, even if you've got a headache, smile, sitdown and shuddup. The cabin crew are on a monstrous long multi-sector day, they got up at 'O God not another one' O'clock, they have headaches, they are pre-menstrual, just sit there and shuddup, OK?
('Tips for travelling on Ryanair No. 2')
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First Time
When I fly I try to go into "traveller coma", expect nothing and be happy when things go smoothly. After years of being a passenger, I would have an early heart attack if I got upset everytime it goes wrong. Just think of it next time you fly, in all of the different areas, check-in, security, boarding calls etc. does it not feel sometimes that the staff are doing it for the first time? Baggage at LHR on the wrong belt for example, would you expect that they would have cracked it after what, 40 years of operations? Delays, almost always, there are no concrete information, if any at all etc. Small things, but you would think it would be rectified by now.
I almost travel to destination a day before if I have business meetings as flying is as reliable as TomToms arrival time when travelling on the M3 and M25.
PS! "Traveller coma" is the same state as when you stand in queue for hours at EuroDisney with your kids for a 30 second ride. Just make sure you turn up at the right time, no liquids, laptop in or out, smile and make no fuzz.
I almost travel to destination a day before if I have business meetings as flying is as reliable as TomToms arrival time when travelling on the M3 and M25.
PS! "Traveller coma" is the same state as when you stand in queue for hours at EuroDisney with your kids for a 30 second ride. Just make sure you turn up at the right time, no liquids, laptop in or out, smile and make no fuzz.
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Few years ago, believe it was Kuwait Airways, they announced would be boarding by seat number and would passengers row 30-40 or whatever please board. Started to read my newspaper then look up again and I was only one left seating. Every passenger stood up and tried push on board and nobody tried to stop them.
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It does seem to be down to the airport.
Flying with Virgin from Gatwick, its just a scrum, fighting and pushing to get on, slowing up people as they fill the luggage lockers whilst before them empty plane as they are holding up the rest of the pax, however, again with Virgin, flying out of MCO, organised priority boarding and row by row loading.
Flying with Virgin from Gatwick, its just a scrum, fighting and pushing to get on, slowing up people as they fill the luggage lockers whilst before them empty plane as they are holding up the rest of the pax, however, again with Virgin, flying out of MCO, organised priority boarding and row by row loading.
Paxing All Over The World
The predominant action of staff at boarding gates these days is to:
It's a scrum and my assumption (built up over the past ten years) is that the gate staff have had too many bad experiences with rude pax to want another one. As long as they all get on with valid boarding cards - then they have done their job.
Welcome to 21st century air travel and, despite the reduction in traffic in the next years during the recession, I do not expect this to change.
- Announce the boarding in the correct sequence stated by the carrier. So Assisted/Premium cabin if applicable/Back Rows and then work forward or the check-in sequence groups used by EZY and so on.
- THEN allow anyone to board in any sequence, as long as their boarding pass is valid for the flight. Ignore the behaviour of those that stampede the gate and hustle past. DON'T tell the person that they are boarding out of sequence.
It's a scrum and my assumption (built up over the past ten years) is that the gate staff have had too many bad experiences with rude pax to want another one. As long as they all get on with valid boarding cards - then they have done their job.
Welcome to 21st century air travel and, despite the reduction in traffic in the next years during the recession, I do not expect this to change.
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Fastest boarding I've ever seen was on Domestic Routes in Korea because:
1. Everything was usually bang on time.
2. No boarding cards as such - just a paper slip for the Bar Code reader... beep-beep-beep.
3. Nobody carried huge amounts of bags into the cabin - didn't need to since the bags usually made the carousel before you did... pop your stuff under the seat or in the overhead... click-click-click
4. Everyone sat down quickly, nobody got in other people's way, courtesy personified.
5. Doors closed - push back.
A few minutes beginning to end...
1. Everything was usually bang on time.
2. No boarding cards as such - just a paper slip for the Bar Code reader... beep-beep-beep.
3. Nobody carried huge amounts of bags into the cabin - didn't need to since the bags usually made the carousel before you did... pop your stuff under the seat or in the overhead... click-click-click
4. Everyone sat down quickly, nobody got in other people's way, courtesy personified.
5. Doors closed - push back.
A few minutes beginning to end...
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As Rainboe rightly says - always board last. Pre-selected seats - avoid the scrum.
Anything goes seating - pick who you want to sit next to. I can guarantee there will always be a couple who take the window and the aisle near the front thinking no-one will take the middle - and with me around invariably they are wrong. At which point one of them moves and I get the aisle near the front.
Anything goes seating - pick who you want to sit next to. I can guarantee there will always be a couple who take the window and the aisle near the front thinking no-one will take the middle - and with me around invariably they are wrong. At which point one of them moves and I get the aisle near the front.
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The layout of the gate itself can also play a big part in the boarding process running smoothly or not. Having a closed off gate area where people can be boarded as they enter, then sit and wait is a huge help to the airlines as it allows passenegrs to be processed whilst cleaning/catering etc is going on, thus any missing passengers can be found earlier. This then ususally free's up a member of staff to stand by the door to moniter who is boarding once the calls have been made, this is usually enough for people to just wait rather than jumping up as soon as the tannoy has gone "bing bong" before a word has been spoken !!
Open gate areas don't allow for such control and staff members are normally all too busy trying to reconcile the passengers and tag buggies/bags at the gate as well as checking passports to really have enough time to moniter people boarding in the correct order. Alot of the time too, people will just come and stand at the front of the gate in an open gate area (and we know how the British will automatically go and stand in a queue), and despite many attempts to get them to move away, they usualy fall on deaf ears - probably these people think the plane will go without them if they are not standing with-in 2 feet of the gate !!.
Then there are also the people who stand up as soon as the doors are opened, before any announcment is even made, this then has a knock on effect (like domino's falling, but in reverse) of everyone else standing up too and further clogging up the gate area.
For the gate staff, it is usually better to get everyone through as trying to get people to stand aside, just makes the problem worse as those who should board first are trying to push through, so just easier and quicker to get everyone on rather than argue with people - probably not the right thing to do, but schedules have to be kept and the airline bean counters really don't give 2 hoots as long as the plane leaves on time.
I have found in my experience that charter and lo-co airlines tend to be more disorganised probably due to the types of passengers they carry compared to a normal scheduled airline, which usually has more frequent travellers who know the score and know what to do.
Open gate areas don't allow for such control and staff members are normally all too busy trying to reconcile the passengers and tag buggies/bags at the gate as well as checking passports to really have enough time to moniter people boarding in the correct order. Alot of the time too, people will just come and stand at the front of the gate in an open gate area (and we know how the British will automatically go and stand in a queue), and despite many attempts to get them to move away, they usualy fall on deaf ears - probably these people think the plane will go without them if they are not standing with-in 2 feet of the gate !!.
Then there are also the people who stand up as soon as the doors are opened, before any announcment is even made, this then has a knock on effect (like domino's falling, but in reverse) of everyone else standing up too and further clogging up the gate area.
For the gate staff, it is usually better to get everyone through as trying to get people to stand aside, just makes the problem worse as those who should board first are trying to push through, so just easier and quicker to get everyone on rather than argue with people - probably not the right thing to do, but schedules have to be kept and the airline bean counters really don't give 2 hoots as long as the plane leaves on time.
I have found in my experience that charter and lo-co airlines tend to be more disorganised probably due to the types of passengers they carry compared to a normal scheduled airline, which usually has more frequent travellers who know the score and know what to do.
Paxing All Over The World
Having a closed off gate area where people can be boarded as they enter, then sit and wait is a huge help to the airlines as it allows passengers to be processed whilst cleaning/catering etc is going on, thus any missing passengers can be found earlier.
Also, to be fair, I think that gate staff are often rushing from one boarding to the next and being able to get pax into an enclosed area and then monitor them for 15 minutes - is just not going to happen. It is one of those elements that boarders on the Law of Diminishing Returns. Reduce staffing to save money - but then have more trouble processing pax in a short time and you might have to delay the departure and costs go up.
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Having a closed off gate area where people can be boarded as they enter, then sit and wait is a huge help to the airlines as it allows passengers to be processed whilst cleaning/catering etc is going on, thus any missing passengers can be found earlier.
It's an absolute bloody nightmare being herded into a little "pre-board" room
Leave us in the lounge until you're ready for us to enter the plane!
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It was so nice last year being put into a pre-boarding room with wife and 2 year old along with 120 others - and seating for maybe 40. After just over an hour of standing and trying to entertain the 2 year old, I came to the conclusion this maybe wasnt the greatest of ideas.
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Disgusted of Tunbridge
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Traymat made an interesting one:
I, too, go into this. I really couldn't give a damn what happens- I'm 'floating' through it. Just be nice to the cabin crew, smile, and shuddup and let it all happen around you. It's the only way to keep your sanity. I do find a child's tantrums does break through, and I would dearly like to strangle it. That's one of the few things that really destroys a journey-obnoxious children. Airlines won't do the obvious which is have a soundproofed section where tantrumers can be consigned and strapped down. It annoys me they can make everybodys' nerves raw on a journey and make it go from being a zen-like, comatose experience, to 'can I strangle that child without anybody seeing me?' quandary. That is why I board last and put half a plane-length between me and a brat wrestling with its mother. Those pre-boarders are wondering how they got to lose that lottery!
When I fly I try to go into "traveller coma", expect nothing and be happy when things go smoothly.
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Rainboe - well said that man.
Some very valid and useful tips there. I have always been an advocater of the board last technique not for the reasons stated but more to do with the fact of why stand in a queue at boarding for 20 mins then sit on the plane for a further 20 mins when you can quietly sup up your pint then make your way to the gate for immediate boarding and minimal of fuss.
Some very valid and useful tips there. I have always been an advocater of the board last technique not for the reasons stated but more to do with the fact of why stand in a queue at boarding for 20 mins then sit on the plane for a further 20 mins when you can quietly sup up your pint then make your way to the gate for immediate boarding and minimal of fuss.
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No offence meant to those with reduced mobility, but it always tickles me how fast some people with sticks /crutches etc can move when a gate opens. I've even been pushed out of the way by a marauding lady with a walking stick.
Why the rush to get on the plane anyway? I like to stroll casually on board and take my seat, be it allocated or the LCoco rush.
It's not as if someone will steal your seat - or is there somethink I should know?
Also why do people on LoCo flights always leave the middle seat empty. Bit selfish really!!
Oh the joys of flying.
Skintman
Why the rush to get on the plane anyway? I like to stroll casually on board and take my seat, be it allocated or the LCoco rush.
It's not as if someone will steal your seat - or is there somethink I should know?Also why do people on LoCo flights always leave the middle seat empty. Bit selfish really!!
Oh the joys of flying.
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Sorry folks, I was think of LHR with nice big gate rooms with plenty of seats - not these poxy little regional landing strips trying to play airports !! 
A buddy of mine when travelling lo-co, sits down and the first thing they pick up is the barf bag, open it up and then pretends to be feeling airsick - claims to have around a 90% sucess rate of keeping at least the middle seat free even on fairly full flights !!.
A buddy of mine when travelling lo-co, sits down and the first thing they pick up is the barf bag, open it up and then pretends to be feeling airsick - claims to have around a 90% sucess rate of keeping at least the middle seat free even on fairly full flights !!.
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It's all down to human nature and insufficient staff with authority prepared to upset the paying punter.
Boarding at IAD on Tuesday in the First/Club line [clearly marked and taped off] I was preceded by a family from "East of Cyprus" travelling Economy who blithely denied having seen the notice ... and my c@ck's a kipper. Nobody said anything, of course, like "go to the back of the line", but I did manage to achieve "Carry-On Bag Accidental Impact" with husband
Boarding at IAD on Tuesday in the First/Club line [clearly marked and taped off] I was preceded by a family from "East of Cyprus" travelling Economy who blithely denied having seen the notice ... and my c@ck's a kipper. Nobody said anything, of course, like "go to the back of the line", but I did manage to achieve "Carry-On Bag Accidental Impact" with husband
Flew Heathrow to Vienna on Monday with Austrian. Different experience, seats allocated. They boarded from the rear, it was an Airbus A320. So picture the scene, rows (and forgive me I can't recall the numbers) 18 to 25 are called and everyone piles through. Crew send them back one by one "Sir, perhaps you didnt hear the announcement, we called Rows 18 to 25 and you're in Row 8" Classic, they soon got the message. Plane boarded in three stages all very orderly.
Returned from Vienna to Luton on Easyjet. My PA had very kindly booked me Speedy Boarding. So the SB were called, late as ever I strolled into the lounge, decided I couldnt be bothered to fight my way between all the B's and A's so took my turn. Was pretty much last on aircraft, strolled up to the crew in row 12, asked if she minded if I sat there, and took my seat in an emergency exit. Why pay more?
Returned from Vienna to Luton on Easyjet. My PA had very kindly booked me Speedy Boarding. So the SB were called, late as ever I strolled into the lounge, decided I couldnt be bothered to fight my way between all the B's and A's so took my turn. Was pretty much last on aircraft, strolled up to the crew in row 12, asked if she minded if I sat there, and took my seat in an emergency exit. Why pay more?
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More boarding chaos with easyJet.
At Gatwick many passengers hadn't even entered the lounge at the gate (you know, the ones at which your boarding pass and passport are checked before you can enter) before Speedy Boarders, SA and group A were called. From outside this lounge in the queue we could hear our category being called but had no way of boarding. I hadn't paid for Speedy Boarding but can imagine that some who had would be furious.
At Madrid there was only one staff member at the gate. Lots of people were milling around. The categories were announced one at a time and a cheap-looking object (A4 size) with the appropriate letter(s) was momentarily held up. Passengers who had just arrived at the gate area would have had no clue which category was boarding. Why can't this be displayed on the monitor at the gate?
The "boarding experience" with easyJet is a powerful factor in my avoiding them if possible (once Ryanair start STN-MAD there'll be less need for me to consider easyJet).
I'm still reading reviews on www.airlinequality.com which make similar critical comments. Are you reading this, Andy?
At Gatwick many passengers hadn't even entered the lounge at the gate (you know, the ones at which your boarding pass and passport are checked before you can enter) before Speedy Boarders, SA and group A were called. From outside this lounge in the queue we could hear our category being called but had no way of boarding. I hadn't paid for Speedy Boarding but can imagine that some who had would be furious.
At Madrid there was only one staff member at the gate. Lots of people were milling around. The categories were announced one at a time and a cheap-looking object (A4 size) with the appropriate letter(s) was momentarily held up. Passengers who had just arrived at the gate area would have had no clue which category was boarding. Why can't this be displayed on the monitor at the gate?
The "boarding experience" with easyJet is a powerful factor in my avoiding them if possible (once Ryanair start STN-MAD there'll be less need for me to consider easyJet).
I'm still reading reviews on www.airlinequality.com which make similar critical comments. Are you reading this, Andy?