grumpy at aircraft when asked for boarding pass. why?
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You're right, Skippy! Please allow me to retract that suggestion. I don't think the poor baggage handlers at Terminal 5 deserve that kind of treatment...
I guess it's harder to get a smile out of some than others...
I guess it's harder to get a smile out of some than others...
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boardingpass
This took place in August.
It might amuse you perhaps?
An elderly Swedish woman tried to get herself on board an international flight by climbing onto an unmanned luggage belt after her suitcase.
The incident happened at Stockholm's Arlanda airport.
The unnamed 78-year-old thought she was just following instructions on how to check in for her flight.
She carefully lay down on the conveyor belt and was whisked into the baggage handling bay where she was rescued by surprised staff.
Possible you were at check in that day?
This took place in August.
It might amuse you perhaps?
An elderly Swedish woman tried to get herself on board an international flight by climbing onto an unmanned luggage belt after her suitcase.
The incident happened at Stockholm's Arlanda airport.
The unnamed 78-year-old thought she was just following instructions on how to check in for her flight.
She carefully lay down on the conveyor belt and was whisked into the baggage handling bay where she was rescued by surprised staff.
Possible you were at check in that day?
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Gosh, Golly - so much emotion over such a minor requirement!!!
Here's a possible scenario for you...
If we take that exchange as the baseline, it is fascinating to see how complicated, on so many levels, we can all make it. Personally, when working as FA, or traveling as Passenger, I'm happy with both sides of the above, no matter how tired or mishandled I might feel - and it has the advantage of speed. I'm genuinely amazed that it has proved to be such a controversial requirement.
Here's a possible scenario for you...
- FA: "May I see your Boarding Pass please?"
- SLF: "Yes of course - Here it is"
- FA: :Thank you"
If we take that exchange as the baseline, it is fascinating to see how complicated, on so many levels, we can all make it. Personally, when working as FA, or traveling as Passenger, I'm happy with both sides of the above, no matter how tired or mishandled I might feel - and it has the advantage of speed. I'm genuinely amazed that it has proved to be such a controversial requirement.
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A few facts......
a) Some people just have a problem with authority. Some posters on this thread show classic symptoms. Most crew don't weild their authority in a "power trip" way but they have authority.
b) Checking boarding cards will have some type of revenue protection reasoning attached to it. However, like everything, safety and security is the primary reason. Someone on my aircraft who is not authorised to be so is a security risk. I don't know whether they are a terrorist, a stow away or a lost passenger therefore they are a risk to myself, my fellow crew members and my passengers.
You will therefore find that if unauthorised passengers are discovered inflight, procedure will takeover because it is deemed a security risk.
c) It can be frustrating having to show boarding cards at the aircraft door aswell but just keep them to hand.
Boarding card for boarding?? Whatever next? They'll be asking for money in Tesco.
The truth is many airports don't have airbridge equipment and therefore it is very easy to attempt to board another aircraft.
Who are left to deal with this? Cabin crew and to a lesser extent, flight crew.
d)Going through the airport these days is sometimes a nightmare. If you don't like it though then the choice is simple, don't fly. The airport experience isn't as good as what it once was but we do have the terrorists to blame for that. Therefore you shouldn't be rude to cabin crew, nor is it acceptable to be so when they simply ask to see your boarding card for a "final cabin crew like to be sure check" and more importantly for the passenger, to make sure you are on the right flight. Why? Because the passenger seldom accepts blame for boarding the wrong flight.
e) Some cabin crew can be stand offish.........yes. Some passengers can be ************************************** yes. That is human nature as much as i hate it.
a) Some people just have a problem with authority. Some posters on this thread show classic symptoms. Most crew don't weild their authority in a "power trip" way but they have authority.
b) Checking boarding cards will have some type of revenue protection reasoning attached to it. However, like everything, safety and security is the primary reason. Someone on my aircraft who is not authorised to be so is a security risk. I don't know whether they are a terrorist, a stow away or a lost passenger therefore they are a risk to myself, my fellow crew members and my passengers.
You will therefore find that if unauthorised passengers are discovered inflight, procedure will takeover because it is deemed a security risk.
c) It can be frustrating having to show boarding cards at the aircraft door aswell but just keep them to hand.
Boarding card for boarding?? Whatever next? They'll be asking for money in Tesco.
The truth is many airports don't have airbridge equipment and therefore it is very easy to attempt to board another aircraft.
Who are left to deal with this? Cabin crew and to a lesser extent, flight crew.
d)Going through the airport these days is sometimes a nightmare. If you don't like it though then the choice is simple, don't fly. The airport experience isn't as good as what it once was but we do have the terrorists to blame for that. Therefore you shouldn't be rude to cabin crew, nor is it acceptable to be so when they simply ask to see your boarding card for a "final cabin crew like to be sure check" and more importantly for the passenger, to make sure you are on the right flight. Why? Because the passenger seldom accepts blame for boarding the wrong flight.
e) Some cabin crew can be stand offish.........yes. Some passengers can be ************************************** yes. That is human nature as much as i hate it.
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Indeed we do, but it is a cop-out to blame it all on the terrorists when a fair proportion of the inconvenience is due to incompetent and irrational knee-jerk reactions by populist politicians (and some to the travelling public for putting up with the worst of the crap without simply saying "enough irrational theatre").
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Boarding card for boarding?? Whatever next? They'll be asking for money in Tesco.
The boarding pass is checked at the gate by most airlines in Europe.
Of course, British airlines are obliged to check these again on boarding the aircraft (to comply with regulations), whereas many others are not.
The regular aircraft losses around Europe show how foolish the other countries are in not enforcing this policy.
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Two arguments here, one side says requesting boarding cards at the door is a security precaution and the other says it's revenue protection. The first thing to say is most european airlines don't check boarding cards at the door, (though Air France is the exception)
It's probably fair to say that the majority of people who commit crimes on aircraft are in possession of a valid boarding card. Furthermore, the crimes they carried out would have been committed regardless of whether they'd had their boarding card checked or not. Also, a passenger getting on the wrong flight is not really a security issue, as Mancry mentions it sets in motion a procedure, this procedure will cost the airline money because it's their fault it happened and they will have to pay to get the passenger to the correct location.
I couldn't care less if a FA wants to see my by boarding card at the door or not, if they ask me for the card I will show it to them along with the correct courtesy. But, to suggest this is a security issue is simply incorrect, it's revenue protection and nothing else.
It's probably fair to say that the majority of people who commit crimes on aircraft are in possession of a valid boarding card. Furthermore, the crimes they carried out would have been committed regardless of whether they'd had their boarding card checked or not. Also, a passenger getting on the wrong flight is not really a security issue, as Mancry mentions it sets in motion a procedure, this procedure will cost the airline money because it's their fault it happened and they will have to pay to get the passenger to the correct location.
I couldn't care less if a FA wants to see my by boarding card at the door or not, if they ask me for the card I will show it to them along with the correct courtesy. But, to suggest this is a security issue is simply incorrect, it's revenue protection and nothing else.
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The regular aircraft losses around Europe show how foolish the other countries are in not enforcing this policy.
It also illustrates the layers of extra "stuff" involved in flying to or from any British airport. The boarding card thing is a non issue but there are many others which just add to the general unpleasantness of transiting a UK airport, especially LHR. Nowadays I never use BA because it involves transiting LHR and I hate that. I imagine there are a lot of people in Europe who are also boycotting LHR.
There has been a lot of discussion in this thread and some how I still think it comes back to the airport experience which is generally poor and therefore easy to possibly upset or confuse staff as well as the passenger.
That said flew through Munich Terminal 2 yesterday - spaceous - lots of people actually working at the bag drop area - security passage painless friendly and quick (all security areas active) and free coffee around the departure dates. With many weary eyed passengers due to Octoberfest I must say everything was handled wonderfully and when it came to showing ID at the gate as well as earlier at baggage check in) it did not matter as no one was feeling harassed. LH did not check the boarding card on boarding.
Nivsy
That said flew through Munich Terminal 2 yesterday - spaceous - lots of people actually working at the bag drop area - security passage painless friendly and quick (all security areas active) and free coffee around the departure dates. With many weary eyed passengers due to Octoberfest I must say everything was handled wonderfully and when it came to showing ID at the gate as well as earlier at baggage check in) it did not matter as no one was feeling harassed. LH did not check the boarding card on boarding.
Nivsy
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I think that the lack of honest reasons given for why we are forced to undergo the amount of checks is destabilising. If you give less than honest answers then don't expect your passengers to have the same amount of respect for airline staff as we once had. Personally the airport experience in the UK treats us as retarded morons to be herded, quite literally like sheep to part company with our cash to keep us calm until the plane eventually arrives. Putting staff in those silly bloody dayglo vests makes them look and behave like council jobsworths on a power trip.
When airlines provide service levels like that and you will get the passengers you deserve.
Onse on board, watching some of the larger cabin crew glare at the now seated potential terrorists as the pilot dives for the safety of the forward loo is comic. I have seen these guys flex as if they are in the SAS all to prevent someone trying to get into the flightdeck with a yoghurt sneaked through security.
It's a continual drip, drip, drip, of cultural change within the industry which now has an us and them attitude between them and passengers. Lest anyone ever use the term SLF I would sack every damn one of em. This is a service industry after all.
When airlines provide service levels like that and you will get the passengers you deserve.
Onse on board, watching some of the larger cabin crew glare at the now seated potential terrorists as the pilot dives for the safety of the forward loo is comic. I have seen these guys flex as if they are in the SAS all to prevent someone trying to get into the flightdeck with a yoghurt sneaked through security.
It's a continual drip, drip, drip, of cultural change within the industry which now has an us and them attitude between them and passengers. Lest anyone ever use the term SLF I would sack every damn one of em. This is a service industry after all.
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On Ryanair, each passenger must show his boarding pass at the door of the 737; in some airports, it would not be impossible for somebody to board the wrong coach to the aircraf or walk to the wrong aircraft: you show the boarding pass, it is acknowledged by the attendant, all is well; where is the problem, really ?
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I understand the need (or desire) to inspect boarding cards upon entering the aircraft, and have no problem whatsoever with showing mine when requested.
However, while I would emphasise that there is no excuse for rudeness, cabin crew should remember that by the time that we, the passengers, have reached the aircraft we have been herded like sheep, made to wait in countless, endless lines, patronised and - above all - have probably already shown that bit of cardboard to half a dozen other people on the long journey from departure drop-off to aircraft. Sometimes the insanity of it all just gets us down, and it is perhaps not surprising that our apparent lack of enthusiasm at being asked to show that same bit of paper yet again may be mistaken for grumpiness.
Airports are miserable places, and flying is a miserable experience. Sometimes we can't help but show our feelings, no matter how hard we try not to.
However, while I would emphasise that there is no excuse for rudeness, cabin crew should remember that by the time that we, the passengers, have reached the aircraft we have been herded like sheep, made to wait in countless, endless lines, patronised and - above all - have probably already shown that bit of cardboard to half a dozen other people on the long journey from departure drop-off to aircraft. Sometimes the insanity of it all just gets us down, and it is perhaps not surprising that our apparent lack of enthusiasm at being asked to show that same bit of paper yet again may be mistaken for grumpiness.
Airports are miserable places, and flying is a miserable experience. Sometimes we can't help but show our feelings, no matter how hard we try not to.
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Is it true that up to the 1950's friends and relatives could board the plane to say their goodbyes before the attendants announced that all non-passengers would have to leave before takeoff?
What civilised times we used to live in... How the world has changed.
What civilised times we used to live in... How the world has changed.
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My wife and I walked into T5 at 05.45 and she scanned the departure board for the Nice flight. Oops, must be from T1, sorry. the excuse at that time in the morning that I wanted here to admire T5 didn't go down too well.
Given this scenario, its probably just as CC inspect my pass on boarding, chances are that somehow I might be on the wrong flight.
This age thing aint good!!
Given this scenario, its probably just as CC inspect my pass on boarding, chances are that somehow I might be on the wrong flight.
This age thing aint good!!
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I imagine there are a lot of people in Europe who are also boycotting LHR.
There are at least two of us on this forum
With so many viable alternative options these days, who would willingly transit a third class airport, where one gets the impression they think they are doing you a favour by letting you through?
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another gripe from another oldie . . . . . . . . !
Is it true that up to the 1950's friends and relatives could board the plane to say their goodbyes before the attendants announced that all non-passengers would have to leave before takeoff ?
More seriously though, the same lack of security checks still applies TODAY - in 2008 - to train (or underground) travel. Anyone at all can get on a high speed Intercity train about to leave Euston. The ticket checks come once under way, possibly at 100mph.
And the hundreds of bags and cases on board Richard Branson's shining Pendolino are NEVER CHECKED AT ALL . . . . . . . . . . .
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Impossible to get on wrong aircraft ? well, well....
We were sitting on the FR 737-800 parked at Girona and due to leave for Rome, some two years ago, when - after a head count - one of their charming cabin staff said "ladies and gentlemen, if there are any passengers who wish to fly to Paris, would they please disembark and get on the aircraft next to us, as THIS one is going to Rome..."
To applause (from the Catalans) and a brief chorus of "Why were they born so beautiful" (from the British - all right, from me), two red-faced passengers struggled down the aisle & steps and got onto the flight next door.
And I've done it myself, bording with no questions asked an AF flight from Charles de Gaulle to Dusseldorf, aircraft parked on the left, when I wanted to go to Frankfurt a.M., aircraft parked on the right. Only by chatting to the chap in the next seat did I find out. Caused no end of confusion when I got off, having to retrieve my boarding card from the AF stew who hadn't bothered to read it properly.
So not a bad idea, checking boarding cards on board, when they are actually looked at.
RaF
To applause (from the Catalans) and a brief chorus of "Why were they born so beautiful" (from the British - all right, from me), two red-faced passengers struggled down the aisle & steps and got onto the flight next door.
And I've done it myself, bording with no questions asked an AF flight from Charles de Gaulle to Dusseldorf, aircraft parked on the left, when I wanted to go to Frankfurt a.M., aircraft parked on the right. Only by chatting to the chap in the next seat did I find out. Caused no end of confusion when I got off, having to retrieve my boarding card from the AF stew who hadn't bothered to read it properly.
So not a bad idea, checking boarding cards on board, when they are actually looked at.
RaF
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As one of the Mods has commented, it is very odd how much of a reaction this thread has caused.
As crew my humble question to you passengers is this;
For various reasons and many have been mentioned here, it is entirely possible for someone to board the wrong a/c. It doesn't happen that often but it certainly does happen. The door of the a/c is the last point at which the error will have no impact on delaying the flight.
If we do let someone aboard who should not be there then a whole raft of procedures are brought into play to re secure the aircraft. Which can quite easily take 30 minutes from beginning to end.
So, what do you want guys, you can keep that boarding card out for 2 minutes longer and give it to us for the briefest of moments or incur missing slots, late arrivals, diaries turned upside down, business lost etc?
Security is the only reason that my airline checks those boarding cards although we can then identify our business/first class pax a little sooner and therefore start the service that they have paid considerably more for, earlier.
I do wonder if those of you who are really negative toward the crew on this thread are the same pax that blame us when it is foggy! We can't win sometimes and we know it.
Here is a headline for you: "Million to one chance error leads to airliner down and hundreds dead"
Ridiculous? Now the procedure is here it has to stay just in case that one needle in the haystack slips through and takes one of us away from our kids forever.
6
As crew my humble question to you passengers is this;
For various reasons and many have been mentioned here, it is entirely possible for someone to board the wrong a/c. It doesn't happen that often but it certainly does happen. The door of the a/c is the last point at which the error will have no impact on delaying the flight.
If we do let someone aboard who should not be there then a whole raft of procedures are brought into play to re secure the aircraft. Which can quite easily take 30 minutes from beginning to end.
So, what do you want guys, you can keep that boarding card out for 2 minutes longer and give it to us for the briefest of moments or incur missing slots, late arrivals, diaries turned upside down, business lost etc?
Security is the only reason that my airline checks those boarding cards although we can then identify our business/first class pax a little sooner and therefore start the service that they have paid considerably more for, earlier.
I do wonder if those of you who are really negative toward the crew on this thread are the same pax that blame us when it is foggy! We can't win sometimes and we know it.
Here is a headline for you: "Million to one chance error leads to airliner down and hundreds dead"
Ridiculous? Now the procedure is here it has to stay just in case that one needle in the haystack slips through and takes one of us away from our kids forever.
6
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Interesting thread! Two sides to every story. First, if you can't even be bothered to be civil to CC when entering the plane, then congratulations - you're officially a miserable git and I hope you enjoy negotiating your miserable way through the world.
Other side - I am never grumpy at the door, but I confess I am sometimes grumpy on the airbridge when the queue seems to be completely stuck solid. The first aim of boarding is surely to be as swift as possible. A lengthy greeting or interaction between the CC and SLF is not in anyone's interest. In the Middle East I have actually been walked to my seat (in Y) by a cabin attendant and lovely though it was it would surely impact on overall speed of access for the others.
Charming, but an absolutely appalling idea if you think about it.
Other side - I am never grumpy at the door, but I confess I am sometimes grumpy on the airbridge when the queue seems to be completely stuck solid. The first aim of boarding is surely to be as swift as possible. A lengthy greeting or interaction between the CC and SLF is not in anyone's interest. In the Middle East I have actually been walked to my seat (in Y) by a cabin attendant and lovely though it was it would surely impact on overall speed of access for the others.
up to the 1950's friends and relatives could board the plane to say their goodbyes