A question about 'the scrum'

I'm always bemused by the mad rush of passengers to get to the plane when boarding is announced.

I'm bemused because it's the scrum that seems to cause delays and bottlenecks.

Is there a reason why people rush to get on the plane, even though seats are pre-assigned?

Because Matt is a nervous flyer, we always board last, and it's a breeze. And I just read Darren Wheelers post about getting to the flight from the Clubhouse, which basically says wait till the final call, (makes perfect sense!) but that means that some Upper Class passengers join scramble to board first.

Am I missing something obvious?

(I'm also aware of the inherent problem if everyone agrees to board last...!)

[Neil]

I imagine it is something to do with the fear that they will miss out on something amazing if they are not first on the plane. Never understood it myself either.

I have never understood it myself either. Even when I flew Economy I would always wait until the last minute as I don't want to be sat on the plane for a further 30-60 mins longer than I need to.

I think Neil is right, people think they are going to miss something if they are not on the plane straight away.

DMB

[Darren Wheeler]

I can see a certain logic of boarding first. Get comfy and hope everyone else is on early so you can push away on-time. Considering that usually cargo is still being loaded, refueling etc. there is no point. Unless of course you enjoy the glares and comments as Upper and AU pax head to the priority boarding lane. [}:)]

[HighFlyer]

I dont understand it either. PE and UC i can understand as you get pre-boarding drinks, but I dont understand it for Economy - why prolong sitting in that seat?

On my flight last week I was amazed by the number of passengers trying to board when the airline had announced several times that they were boarding by row. The back section was called first and you could see passengers with seat numbers around 4-10 pushing into the queue. I can understand that some passengers worry that they may not get any space in the overhead luggage compartments but when you board by row there isnt this issue. I stood at the side and waited for the pushing and shoving to stop. I wish the airlines would take a more active stance in stopping this by boarding by rows and sending people out of the queue when they try to board early. Prehaps less of a melee would be created as a result.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
I can understand that some passengers worry that they may not get any space in the overhead luggage compartments but when you board by row there isnt this issue.

Thanks,
Sarah


Don't get me started on that![:(!]

Since when does the overhead at seat 33 'belong' to seat 57?

I think it's all about psychology ... the airport experience is one where you are coralled from one activity to the next with little free will, so when a boarding announcement comes, it almost an invitation to do the next thing, and board ... relaxing in the clubhouse until the final call is, of course, much preferred.

I am afraid it's what I call sheep mentality. When one person gets up another does the same and then it kind of rolling effect until 90% are standing and straining to get on board. The other 10% are UC and PE travelers just chilling out. I love watching this. BAAAAAAAAH BAAAAAAAAH.[:0]

I also like watching out for what I call the Bathroom Olympics. Just who will be the fastest out of their seat when the seat belts sign goes off????[:?]

This is a subject that really annoys me.

It seems like that the majority who understand english right up to the gate somehow forget it when the rows are being called.

What also annoys me is when I patiently wait for my row to be called, I get on board and I find someone in my seat and then try to make it out it's my fault.

I must admit I'm no angel as once I've been in a scrum and I noticed that the Priority Lane was empty and used that bypassing the elbows, big bags and attitude of the scrum.

If you want to witness the scrum at it's best, go down to gates 80-90 at T1 & watch what happens when the EI flights to DUB or ORK are called for boarding [:0]

Or better still, book yourself on a flight & jump in to the experience feet first [B)]

Other people do it because traveling is something that so many people find to be stressful. I've never known anything like it! Perfectly rational people's common sense goes straight out of the window when they are traveling. I'm looking at you, mother.

I, however, like to board first so I can people spy and see who's getting on. I love people watching.

[mcmbenjamin]

Getting settled, securing overhead space and getting the kids all sorted out. Also there is the dash to get better seats on lighter flights.

[Darren Wheeler]

Everyone should be in their allocated seats for take-off and landing [;)]

[mcmbenjamin]

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Everyone should be in their allocated seats for take-off and landing [;)]


I agree. It is a weight and balance issue. BUT who is really going to enforce this?

When I travel Economy, I usually am lucky enough to get a Bulkhead or Exit row. The Bulkhead often is assigned when i am travelling with my children.

Experience has shown me that sitting in these areas, you can be hard pushed to find overhead storage space, as this is where the crew store safety equipment, maybe some oxygen and other things. This means that if you are last to board, you can find it impossible to put your bag anywhere near you.

This is the sole reason why I like to board first when at the back of the bus.

Mark

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
[quote]Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Everyone should be in their allocated seats for take-off and landing [;)]


I agree. It is a weight and balance issue. BUT who is really going to enforce this?


Six-inch nails or superglue.

quote:Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
[quote]Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Everyone should be in their allocated seats for take-off and landing [;)]


I agree. It is a weight and balance issue. BUT who is really going to enforce this?


The CC should, and I can point people to some Accident Report Investigations whereby planes experienced damage due to incorrect loading and passengers moving seats.

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Don't get me started on that![:(!]

Since when does the overhead at seat 33 'belong' to seat 57?


I've always seen it as being to do with the storage space. I once observed a bit of a ruckus following (to use Darren's example) seat 33 lobbing seat 57's possessions out of the overhead at seat 33.

The most disorganised and stressful boarding I ever experienced was not on the many EZY flights I have taken but on an Air France LAX - CDG service.

Paul

I am always amazed at the amount of hand luggage that pax get away with when boarding despite the clear airline giudelines. I read an article yesterday that Ryanair are going to start charging for bags over and above the 1 piece rule including Duty Free shopping bags or similar purchases made in an airport shops.

One benefit of having 2 small kids is that we tend more often than not to be boarded first, so no complaints there[:p]

Even last vist arriving at T5 we were escorted to the front of immigration queue because of the kids. [y] to BAA for that one.

Iain

Hand luggage and hold luggage. I can barely carry my bag all the way from the home to the airport (if I have to use public transport) and then I get it weighed and it's about 15KG! Then, when I arrive, I find I have overpacked.

What does go into that oversized, overweight luggage?

For me, it is mainly about the lockers.... A few years ago I did several trips to the US, and locker space was usually very tight, due to multiple / over large carry ons....

re the 33/55 conundrum; I did see one thing that amused me... on a BA flight, that was boarding by seat row, some one came on with a very large bag, and as they came down the aisle to the rear, they saw it was getting somewhat congested, so they loaded their carry on into an empty locker and continued. A couple of minutes later, someone came to that row (and the section was still pretty empty) so they checked the bag, didn't see a tag, asked loudly who owned the bag, and then called the cabin crew to report an unattended bag - caused a bit of a rumpus before it all got sorted. And the guy was sent rearwards with his bag to stow nearer his seat.

I've even by told while in UC on a LGW plane by someone in 8A that my bag (from 6A) was in 'their locker' and I had to move it - have you ever seen the UC lockers more than half full?

quote:Originally posted by deep_south

I've even by told while in UC on a LGW plane by someone in 8A that my bag (from 6A) was in 'their locker' and I had to move it - have you ever seen the UC lockers more than half full?

That has happened to me a few times - I just smile sweetly and say 'You are travelling in Upper Class now - there's plenty of space here.'

I think its human nature. People feel more confortabe when they are at the front of the queue and not waiting watching everyone else board. Also, the longer you wait the more nervous one might become as you could be afraid of missing your flight.

[buns]

Whilst most posters acknowledge 'natural human reaction' - the release valve after having to get to the airport so much ahead of the departure time - it is something that the airlines could do more to manage.

We have all been to Theme Parks where the trick is to make you feel as though things are happening and you are making progress and these are no doubt designed by clever types who know all about psychology.

Some small investment by airlines in this could pay great dividends as it would promote repeat business

buns

When I fly in Y I try to board early so that I can stow away my hand luggage without impinging on other people's stuff and make sure I can still access it when I need to (on L/H that is important to me). But in PE lately I do it so that I can unwind, settle in, and then not have to worry about a thing.

S.