Boarding by seat row

[El Grifo]

Here in Lanzarote, when flying with RYR and paying for the priority boarding package, the normal routine is to let the priority lot on to the bus first, followed by the first lot of normal boarders.
When the bus reaches the aircraft, the doors are opened and the mixed throng pour out.

Priority boarding on the bus only 🤣🤣

El Grifo

[Asturias56]

you want to be last on the bus and first off it and up those steps- calls for considered judgement

[PAXboy]

Ah Yes, have played that game before. RYR are not the only ones to do this. Get on the bus and then hold tight to a handle right by the door.

[Asturias56]

Then they drive around and open the door on the other side..........

Still you can get to the front by trampling the weak and the aged into the dust of the tarmac

[S.o.S.]

Sounds like a good New Year's Resolution, Asturias56. I do know that moment when the bus looks like it has arrived at your aircraft and then does a last minute 180 degree turn to present the other doors.

[Mr Mac]

Originally Posted by 25F

My father, who worked in Africa for many years, had a story. Upon finding that the flight was massively over-booked, the crew organised a race for the passengers. Once round the aircraft, and those who got to the steps first, got to board.
Implausible? My Dad never knowingly said anything untrue; besides, there was no need to make stuff up as there was no end of crazy-but-true stories from 60s / 70s Africa.

25F
Your Father did not lie or embellish a tale. I have also seen that on a flight in Nigeria in late 1980,s. It is quite something when you see one of the larger Mama Benze,s in full regalia and built on the larger size running around a 737 desperately trying to out pace smaller and more nimble rivals.

I have also witnessed the fire department use water to brush people of the landing gear when there was a semi sit in / occupation when their flight was cancelled, and they observed an A/C from same carrier getting ready to go elsewhere.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[25F]

Thanks for affirmation. To many people it will sound too nuts to be true. "Mama Benze's" - hah! For the benefit of others: people who drive around (or get driven around) in Mercedes-Benz cars are the "Wabenze" (or similar).

[jensdad]

Originally Posted by sealo0

Bring back Palmair I say at BOH
Peter Bath (boss/owner) would come to the airport for each flight and over the PA would announce central seats only first (can’t remember the numbers) and anyone trying to jump the queue would be sent back with a good ticking off, over the PA as well. then rear seat number by the rear steps and the front rows via the front steps.

I remember one year there were very bad traffic jams around the airport so he came in by helicopter just to see off the next flight.

Mike

This whole thing is a massive bugbear of mine. I so wish that some gate staff these days would have the balls to do what Peter Bath did. In fact I would argue that it isn't even balls, it's just discipline in doing the job you've been assigned to do. Only let people through when they've been called; once you've had a couple of people trying it on, just make an announcement that either you come up when called, or we're stopping boarding and you aren't going anywhere. The sensible majority (I do believe that such a thing exists) would police it.
An even bigger bugbear is the fact that several times now, I've been in boarding group 8 or some such, and with me being a well-mannered kind of chap I've sat with the intention of waiting until called... Several minutes later I'm sitting on my own and realise that the gate staff have simply given up calling boarding groups.

[Asturias56]

Originally Posted by 25F

Thanks for affirmation. To many people it will sound too nuts to be true. "Mama Benze's" - hah! For the benefit of others: people who drive around (or get driven around) in Mercedes-Benz cars are the "Wabenze" (or similar).

A colleague of mine had pictures to show boarding in places like Chad and the CAR - essentially they opened the gate on to the tarmac and it was everyman for himself to the stairs. They even used to drive the stairs away , packed with passengers, once the plane was full.

[paulc]

Have done a couple of domestic flights on Philippine Airlines recently and not only do they board by row numbers or groups, they disembark in the same way

[PAXboy]

Reminds me of the first time I went through FCO. Arrival was fine with an expected wait for bags.

Departure. After check-in, I was waiting for the gate to be announced and could see that, each time a gate was announced there was a deluge of Pax towards it from all angles. There was nothing resembling a queue, or boarding sequence. Since everyone already had a boarding pass, they would get on, but the headlong rush was the same every time. When my flight was called, I waited until 90% had rammed their way through. I had a windown seat reservation so the folks had to stand up and shuffle out. My handcase fitted under the seat in front of me.

Subsequently, I have been through Pisa and Genoa - they were calm and normal.