The Etiquette of Boarding: When is it Too Early to Queue?
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I think we have all seen this, you get to the airport and sit in the lounge at departures waiting to be called for your flight
But someone has already started a queue , despite there being more than an hour or more before you will be called to board
It's all because they want to be first on the flight and get their bags in the overhead locker before anyone else
Airline staff have a name for people who do this in the US, gate lice !!
Its a little unkind to say the least, what nickname would you give them ?
www.ladbible.com/community/airport-gate-lice-nickname-explained-983541-20240629
I just think Why! . Everyone has to get on the plane before it takes off . Seat are already allocated so I don't see the point.
How about queue creepers? I have never had a problem stowing bags and if you do just ask a flight attendant for help.
That is disrespectful, yeah.
I only line up when I see the gate opens up and the advantage of going early is placing the backpack above with free space, and can sit freely until the other passengers arrive.
Don't really care when it's about leaving the airplane, I usually let others pass through.
PhilipMarc yes , i wait until everyone has got off P, unless on the outside seat and have to move for someone
I've never understood people queueing up inside or outside the plane.It won't take off until everyone is on it.I think we should all have an allocated space in lockers..no more.no less.
MelissaLee1 They do have numbers and letters on overhead lockers normally M, but not for specific seats , just a bulk section
If there is no space left then they normally ask you to put your baggage under the seat
I think that is why they are restricting the boarding luggage sizes even more recently, because if there is no room overhead, and it is too big for under the seat then i am not sure where they could put it, except inside the hold , which would cause delays
Besides more profit, this is another reason companies like ryanair started charging for anything bigger than a handbag or similar , they don't want this situation to deal with , and are trying to discourage people bringing luggage into the cabin
I cannot ever understand the mind set of people who do this, plane isn't going to set off any quicker and there is always loads of room in the overhead
martinlufc5637 Usually M, but i have been on summer flights where they were full and people were struggling to find space
I pity the cabin crew as they then have to rearrange all overhead luggage to try to make extra space, most people seem to just shove it overhead willy nilly with no thought for others
telmel I've never had that issue, Im permanently on crouches and I've always been able to put them and my backpack up there
martinlufc5637 I think you were lucky then M
I know it happens , mainly on morning and afternoon flights in peak periods, night time flights are not so crowded as less people want to travel then , especially with families
I don’t mind people queueing up early, it’s the people who are always trying to rush and push even though there is no reason for it.
The worst are the ones who get on the plane then block the gangway whilst they sort themselves out.
jms19 I agree J but i do give them a bit of time to do this as you know once you sit down you wont be able to get up again until everyone has sorted themselves out
It can get like a cattle market , but i blame the airlines more as they are rushing everyone to get onboard and seated so they can meet their deadlines
Airlines encouraging people to take bags into the cabin is pain, invariably you will get some one mid flight standing over you reaching into overhead locker for something out of there bag, it's also what causes the most chaos during loading and unloading of the plane.
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