Priority Boarding Etiquette

So what is the done thing to ensure we can enjoy priority boarding for UC.
It appears that it can be hit and miss at LHR.
While l am still very laid back here, it would be nice to be able to board without the tut tuts and pointing that l have been reading about in the TR's.
Any tips?

Many thanks

We've never encountered any problems at LHR. Perhaps we've been lucky, but the Priority Queue has been clearly in place and enforced. Once through and on the airbridge we have always waited our turn though.

If you make full use of the CH by the time you get the gate most passengers will have boarded anyway.

Paul

Elbows .... out.

No, seriously; leave the lounge for the gate at, no earlier than the second boarding call, (I'm normally just drying-off in the steam shower at this point), you will arrive at the gate as the lost and bewildered are passing through gate-check.

No fighting for position, no snarling, simply board, sit-down, relax, accept Champagne and have a good flight.

[Darren Wheeler]

One slight kink in waiting. If on an an Airbus, overhead space can get a little tight, even in Upper, as there are no bins down the middle.

One slight kink in waiting. If on an an Airbus, overhead space can get a little tight, even in Upper, as there are no bins down the middle.

At this point can I just say that from our (albeit limited experience) we've never actually used an overhead locker.

One slight kink in waiting. If on an an Airbus, overhead space can get a little tight, even in Upper, as there are no bins down the middle.

Always choose seats facing the wall, then less people fighting for the bins!

I've never had a problem at LHR - it has always been in place and has worked really well. The only times I have witnessed tutting is when there are very long Y queues snaking down the corridor outside the boarding gates. But on both these occasions a VS staffer has been walking down the line plucking out the J/W and AU people. y)

Thank you all for the replies. Only three weeks to go!:)

The plane will not go until all on on board so I never really bother about it. I will seldom go to the front of a queue as I feel awkward about it.
If the UC/PE line is easy to get to then I will join that of course but not make a big deal of it. The fact that it is shares with UC/PEW and Gold Cards actually mean anyting in the region of 80 people can use it so it not 'that' exclusive.
Go late when everyone has already boarded. If you are in UC then they will always find you bag space. If you are in PE/Y then overheads may be full if you wait !!

I prefer to wait as it is always annoying to be trying to sort stuff out and get your welcome drink(s) etc with a stream of back of the plane pax trying to get past you and the crew.

[honey lamb]

The plane will not go until all on on board so I never really bother about it.

Erm, what about the number of times you hear that someone has failed to turn up and they are now off-loading their bags

I play it by ear with regard to priority boarding. Sometimes I arrive very early because of connecting flights I leave the CH early as it can become boring! On occasion priority can work excellently well with lanes clearly marked and, more importantly, accessible. On other occasions it has been easier to wait in line so long as I'm in a "prepared to go with the flow" mood ) However the best experiences have been waiting till the second call as many have recommended

Three words: Electric cattle prod. Works a treat.

Three words: Electric cattle prod. Works a treat.

I agree with Mdvipond about the cattle prod.... only as a last resort... I have had a few experiences where the security line for Y is blocking the walkway and after a few gentle "excuse me's" later I wish I had a Cattle prod.....

I either get to the AC after the 2nd boarding call or get the gate number from staff at the CH and make it there early... depending on what mood I am in....

Three words: Electric cattle prod. Works a treat.

I was once on the receiving end of this treatment despite actually being in the blooming priority lane myself! A young lady wearing an all-black outfit (to complement her peroxide white hair) literally barged me out of the way, saying 'this is the priority lane'.

I won't recount what went through my mind. Suffice to say, I was pleased to see my bags appear before hers at LHR the following morning.

I was once on the receiving end of this treatment despite actually being in the blooming priority lane myself! A young lady wearing an all-black outfit (to complement her peroxide white hair) literally barged me out of the way, saying 'this is the priority lane'.

I won't recount what went through my mind.

Oh go on, do. Did you not look "priority" enough? :w

Oh go on, do. Did you not look "priority" enough? :w

Oh I have had that 'look' and I wasn't even wearing jeans !

So I put my little case in her way and smiled. Was sweet to see her look when I turned to go to the J cabin and she had to turn to Y.

Problem is that these days soooo many people qualify for 'priority' boarding that its almost meaningless

Problem is that these days soooo many people qualify for 'priority' boarding that its almost meaningless

I agree but Tonty and Gerry are life long members and if anyone gets in Gerry's way he is a dab hand with a cattle prod ): ): ):

I mentioned to himself the comment about waiting until the 2nd boarding call. He blanched, I think he's genetically unable to do anything other than get to the gate as soon as boarding shows...

[buns]

Mrs Buns and I were once travelling PE back from MCO and had access to the Delta Crown Room.

In those days, the VS Ground Crew would come to the Room and escort any passengers onto the aircraft

The looks we got as we breezed past everyone at the Gate were priceless!!

buns

Mrs Buns and I were once travelling PE back from MCO and had access to the Delta Crown Room.

In those days, the VS Ground Crew would come to the Room and escort any passengers onto the aircraft

The looks we got as we breezed past everyone at the Gate were priceless!!

buns

It's still happening now, we got this treatment in August this year and, as you say, it's priceless !

It's still happening now, we got this treatment in August this year and, as you say, it's priceless !

Worse was the time I accepted an escort from the EWR clubhouse through security to the gate, as we marched to the head of the security line the stares of other UC pax were burning through my clothes ... boarding was easy in comparison.

This perk of status is one I can't get used to ... so rarely take up!

Worse was the time I accepted an escort from the EWR clubhouse through security to the gate, as we marched to the head of the security line the stares of other UC pax were burning through my clothes ... boarding was easy in comparison.

This perk of status is one I can't get used to ... so rarely take up!

Slightly o/t but at a concert in Vegas in 2002 I got escorted past all the lines to my seat by dark suited men in sunglasses who spoke into their sleeves...

Paul

This perk of status is one I can't get used to ... so rarely take up!

I seldom get called by name even though I have a decent status. You must look more regal !!

This perk of status is one I can't get used to ... so rarely take up!

I seldom get called by name even though I have a decent status. You must look more regal !!

Must be my in flight tiara!