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Hey, gate lice -- stop crowding the gate - Airplane tip
Your seats are reserved. There's no circulating air until the plane takes off, and even if you're the first person on the plane, you're going to be hot, you're going to have to move, and you're going to get elbowed -- and maybe get luggage dropped on you. Also, if you're not the first person to board, you're going to spend 20 minutes slowly creeping down the crowded walkway. So... stay out in the relative open space of the terminal waiting area until the gate agents make the final boarding call. Or, at a minimum, wait until they call your boarding number before rushing the gate.
No one like gate lice hovering around the entryway -- especially as the rest of us are trying to board.
Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Malaycobra Mar 25th 2010 9:57PM
What about overhead space? It's always gone before the plane is half full.
TRAVNAR Sep 9th 2011 11:37AM
You're right! Road Warriors usually know better than to check in bags. That means you need overhead space to place your carry on. Waiting to get on last is a bad idea if you have a bag to place in the overhead bin. If the plane is overbooked overhead bins will be filled once you get on board and you will be required to check in your bag therefore putting your bag at the mercy of the airline which costs you time upon arrival. Most major airlines today will not bring the bag to your gate upon arrival unless you have status on their reward program.
Gate Agent Jan 4th 2012 10:55PM
That is because people don't put their bags in the bins right and then feel that they can cram a steam trunk in the overhead.
Missy Jul 20th 2010 4:39PM
I actually disagree with part of the first part of this, as to congregating in the terminal. I use to think the same way, but after traveling once a month for the last 2 years at a minimum I have changed my opinion. It is much better if you go by your group number, otherwise you're "that person" that needs to get to the back of the plan while everyone else is in the front loading their luggage into the overhead compartments. Or your the one that needs to run back and forth from the front to the back trying to find a place for your luggage. This slows up the whole departure. I have seen it happend more times then I can count, and it's very frustrating for everyone else. I may be convienent for you, but not the other passengers on the flight.
Lee Harless Apr 20th 2011 5:13PM
I'm fat. I fly. I eat food, in flight, bought from the terminal. I may even want to get up to go take a shit, mid flight. It's none of your business how fat I am. Bitch to the steward about how fuk'n small the seats are. Hell, you know what, I might even talk to you until we land, just to bug the shiat out of you. Might even practice some lines, for my upcoming film. I'll bet you're gonna bitch and moan about that too? Sounds like you just hate to fly. So do us all a favor and take your whiny ass to the bus terminal next time - why don't ya? Yeah, I'm offended by as lot of your tips. You're so elite. You're so experienced. You're full of it and you know it.
Former Airline Agent Apr 24th 2011 8:51PM
Coming from someone who used to work the gates, I used to stop boarding until people cleared the boarding area. I would advise everyone to make a walk way, or take a seat or the flight would depart late and everyone would miss connections if they didn't clear the boarding area and remind them that this wasn't Southwest, there was no need for the herd of cattle to stand around the gate. It's the rudest thing people can do. You all have an assigned seat, no one is going to take it. Standing around the boarding area only delays boarding and adds to the time it is going to take for people to get on board while they weave in and out and around the people that stand around. GTF out of the way!!! Unless you are flying Southwest, with their cattle call style seating, no need to stand around like a herd of cows.
Also, know where your bag goes. On wide body aircrafts with the bins that lower from the ceiling in the middle, put small, lighter bags in those compartments, leaving the other side for larger, heavier bags. It's not going to blow away if it isn't sitting directly above you. And DON'T try to cram a rolling bag in the tray compartments for gods sake. Those things don't latch sometimes and will pop open during take off and landing, and I've seen the contents fall on to the passengers below or into the aisles narrowly missing the opportunity to kill someone.
qed Dec 28th 2011 11:06AM
What a stupid comment from a self-important gate attendant.
Two reasons to wait at the gate. First, there is not enough overhead storage in the cabin. Wait until others have checked and you will be in trouble. Second, boarding by row numbers works only if gate attendants actually enforce the rule. All too often they do not.
If there is lack of discipline at the gates, this is because gate attendants do not do their jobs properly. Do not blame passengers for your own incompetence.
Jo May 12th 2011 11:56AM
Southwest Airlines - no assigned seating.
Must be a man who wrote this....as a woman you'd be nuts to put earplugs in and knock yourself out with sleeping pills. Perverts everywhere.
Gate Agent Jan 4th 2012 10:56PM
There IS enough overhead storage if everyone put their bags in the bins correctly. A gate agents job is to get the passengers on board ON TIME. It's 99% hampered by the inability of the passengers to have common sense and common courtesy.
How hard is it to listen for your boarding zone to board the plane??? How hard is it for you to follow directions and put your bag in the appropriate place??
BE a gate agent for 1 day and then you'll understand why so many have the attitude's they do.
It's one thing to wait in the gate area...that is important. But the comment is about people clogging the boarding area and standing there like cement posts not allowing those who are being called to pass through.