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Virgin America considers new boarding: baggage-free passengers first
It happened to me the other day. I had my plane ticket in hand and stepped aboard the soon-to-depart airplane, but couldn't sit down. Why? Because of the 15 people in front of me who needed to find spots in overhead bins for their carry-on suitcases. We all know that the boarding process has slowed down because of baggage fees. More people are opting to stow their suitcases as carry-ons rather than check them.
Virgin America is testing a way that might speed up the entire process.
It would mean that anybody without carry-ons would board first. Then, everybody with carry-ons would board second.
I think it's brilliant. Fewer people would be in the aisles, meaning that the folks with bags might be able to find overhead space more easily. And hey, fewer people would be annoyed. It has the potential to work, and I'm glad to see that an airline has the foresight to consider it as an alternative to the norm.
That said, I might personally choose to stall, if given the choice. I usually prefer to be one of the last people on the plane (I'd rather spend my time standing in the airport than sitting on the plane). If others rationalized the delayed boarding in the same way, would that just negate all of the positive aspects of this new system?
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Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Richard Oct 23rd 2009 12:26PM
For many years I have flown accross the U.S. and Internationally, I do not EVER have carry on luggage and wear beltless slacks and loafers. This allows me to pass TSA very quickly (although I have on occasion been asked by security "Your not taking anything on the Aircraft?.) maybe that does seem a little odd these days when people think they REALLY need to protect all their valuable luggage from loss or theft. I always wait until final boarding call to enter the jetway (and invariably still meet a line of people waiting to board.) In hundres of thousands of miles of travel I have: 1. Never lost a piece of luggage. 2. Missed a connecting flight because of the excess baggage I had to retrive from the overhead. 3. Enjoyed watching the silly people who jump to thier feet the moment the fasten seat belt sign goes off, as if the the jetway and door opening will suddenly appear and open for them. I do not expect the corporate entities who must compete for every travelers dollar to change any time soon, so I just relax and ALWAYS get there at the same time as the frenetic people traveling with me.
Swan Oct 23rd 2009 12:29PM
Allegiant already does this... do your research people!
mijsenrab Oct 23rd 2009 12:59PM
I believe that the biggest problem is that the airlines make carry-on rules and then do not enforce them. Here I am with a small carry-on that easily stows in the overhead. Then I watch as individuals advance down the aisle with a large roll-aboard, a duffle bag and a very large handbag or plastic shopping bags.
Generally, the airlines have these frames set up that says your carry-on must fit within it and you are allowed a single carry-on and one personal item (handbag, briefcase or laptop bag). If I had a dollar for every passenger I have seen boarding that violated these rules I could fly first class for free all the time.
What really frosts me is that when the space gets tight in the overheads the flight crew asks you to take your smaller carry-on under the seat in front of you (killing whatever leg room you had) so they can accomodate the excess carry-on these people bring on board.
leslie Oct 23rd 2009 12:59PM
These airlines really need to enforce their baggage policies. When i flew Continental a few months ago, i was told I was allowed one carry on and a purse, which is what i had. my carry on was a small size...barely bigger then an average purse. I saw people coming on board with purses, shopping bags, 2 carry on bags and no one was saying jack to them. And because that, people who did follow the policies couldn't find places to fit their one carry on item. People just follow the policies. They're put in place for a reason. You aren't anymore special then everyone else on the plane. If you think you are, then go spring for a first class ticket and get out of everyone else's way.
Barcode Oct 23rd 2009 1:09PM
How many of these people that carry-on bags they know should be checked, in the supermarket use the express lane with 30-40 items? Same self-centered losers?
Rae D Oct 23rd 2009 1:48PM
Since every airline but SW offers assigned seating, why not let those who can get on the plane and seated first, board first. It makes sense. But we still need to get over this ridiculous notion that people with young children need to board in the first grouping. They know where they are sitting and doesn't it make sense to wait until the last possible moment before forcing a kid to sit down and be quiet?
With regard to the passengers with baggage, another thing that would speed this along is if the airlines started to enforce the size rule. Then, you have an overhead bin over your seat, that is where your baggage goes, not at the front or back of the plane because you think you are special but right over your seat. That would also help boarding but more unboarding.
Squiggles Oct 23rd 2009 2:16PM
I never understood why people would bring big carry-on bags when the entire leg of the journey they never used anything in them. Sure, there is the convenience of not having to go to the luggage carousel after the flight and not having to pay a checked bag fee, but I surely hate the frenzy over the overhead bins whe people try to cram all their earthly belongings into them. I think carry-on luggage should be outlawed altogether, and people should only be allowed to bring one personal item like a briefcase or backpack. That way the overhead bins could be used by people who have special needs, putting canes or crutches away, or by families with small children, storing diaper bags and strollers. Airlines would have to rework their baggage-checking policies a little, but I'm sure it would be worth it. I always travel with as little luggage as possible, because I've noticed that you usually only need half of the stuff you packed.