Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To not understand why people do this?

85 replies

moutonfou · 21/09/2017 11:45

There may be something completely obvious I'm missing, in which case please enlighten me!

Yesterday I was flying home with an airline that assigns seats to everybody on check-in. Nevertheless, as soon as a member of staff appeared at the boarding desk, 70% of those at the gate sprung up and dashed to form a queue. Of course, they weren't ready to board for another 15 minutes (and hadn't even made an announcement yet) so everybody just had to stand around for 15 minutes. I stayed sitting because I couldn't really see what the advantage of queueing was.

Is there one?

OP posts:

cakesandphotos · 21/09/2017 11:46

No. But I think once people set foot in an airport, all common sense and logic disappears. It's like they think the plane will go sooner if they're all chomping at the bit. I usually swig my tea and smugly saunter on when there's no queue

MelvinThePenguin · 21/09/2017 11:46

Overhead locker space. Don't do it myself, but this is what those who do have told me.

FittonTower · 21/09/2017 11:48

Some people like to get on and get settled, some are worried about getting space in the lockers for their bags and some just love a good queue.

MumsOnCrack · 21/09/2017 11:56

Never understood this! I just chill out and read my book, same with when the plane stops - we aren't going anywhere for at least 10 minutes people!

WindwardCircle · 21/09/2017 11:59

I think it's a combination of those who want overhead locker space and those who see others joining the queue and follow sheep like.

Nazdarovye · 21/09/2017 11:59

Seen this too. It's stupid. It doesn't matter if you are first in the queue or last, you'll have the same seat. Dummies.

AntagonyAunt · 21/09/2017 12:02

The overhead locker space does get full and then you have to store your hand luggage in your foot space.

AntagonyAunt · 21/09/2017 12:05

I prefer to stand back and wait in most situations but on planes I prefer to board when there are less people blocking the aisles and faffing about.

Helenluvsrob · 21/09/2017 12:08

Overhead locker space, depending on the airline for instance, Ryanair takes bags and checks them in and usually from the last people in the queue ( will change soon as you'll have to pay £10 to ensue you bag goes in the cabin)

coddiwomple · 21/09/2017 12:16

Overhead locker space.

Some airlines allow ridiculously big hand luggage, so the lockers get full too quickly. I am not travelling with my legs squeezed next to my bag on the floor.

If I am travelling with my children, I cannot risk to have my hand luggage put in the hold (and they are absolutely not the size of a suitcase!). I have their food, toys, nappies and entertainment, so I queue as soon as possible to be first.

Also, I prefer queuing at the gate, than waiting in the plane for people to stop faffing and get out of the way, but that's just personal preference.

SingingMySong · 21/09/2017 12:18

Social conformity. You see a queue and you join it.

Also if you are about to sit down for 4 hours, you may not particularly feel the need to sit down for that last 15 mins. I'm just v lazy!

SlugKiller · 21/09/2017 12:22

Overhead locker again.

I went on a city break once with a small wheelie case that ended up in the hold as there was no space in the lockers and it couldn't fit under the seat. Due to going in the hold and having to wait for ages I missed the last train home and had to pay loads for a taxi.

e1y1 · 21/09/2017 12:24

The brits are bloody pros at queuing or so the stereotype goes [griim with you OP.

I board last as I choose (where possible) a seat near the back of the plane (I mean have you ever heard of a plane reversing in to a mountain.)

Also right near an exit and can disembark first.

e1y1 · 21/09/2017 12:25

*i’m with

WeddingsAreStressful · 21/09/2017 12:29

Overhead locker space, definitely. No way do I intend to spend 3 hours squeezed in a tiny space with no space for my feet because I have to fit my bag under the seat in front of me. So I always pay for priority boarding and queue. And second what a previous poster said about settling in without loads of people faffing around you.

Indigo90 · 21/09/2017 12:31

Definitely overhead locker space. I queue now as Ryanair once nabbed my bag right at the aircraft steps. All seated when I realised my passport was in in it. Cue emergency sprint down the steps to get the baggage man to find my bag out of the hold and for me to find it whilst all the people on the aircraft glared at me out of the windows..

I was going back up the aircraft steps when I realised it also had my purse and kindle (I don't take a handbag on holiday). Back down we all went and the bag was retrieved again.

I'd rather not go through that again!

coddiwomple · 21/09/2017 12:33

I was told a couple of times to put my (small-ish) bag with my feet, to leave space in the overhead lockers for the suitcases! Hell no, why should I be penalised for having smaller bags

However, I would be happy to put the car seats in the hold for free but that's never offered!

AudacityJones · 21/09/2017 12:33

Overhead locker space, and boredom. Sitting around having nothing to do it feels productive to go stand in a line I suppose.
I try to travel with a tiny handbag and just sit until they actually start boarding people in my section!

OliviaStabler · 21/09/2017 12:35

If you board later on, usually there is no overhead locker space. Very annoying.

Sparklingbrook · 21/09/2017 12:37

Sheep.

Same as the people who stand up as soon as the plane comes to a standstill.

BoredOnMatLeave · 21/09/2017 12:40

Yeah it's definitely the overhead locker thing. The only time I do it is when I have extra leg room at the front and you cant put anything in front of you, but I also only use a small bag (when not travelling with DD) so it would annoy me if I had to put that in the hold when someone else gets to take a suitcase so I save myself the annoyance and queue.

If with DD I don't mind putting it in front of me so it's easy to grab things, therefore don't bother queuing.

mawbroon · 21/09/2017 12:40

Overhead locker space for my irreplaceable musical instrument. I have seen too many pictures of broken instruments after being in the hold

SusanTheGentle · 21/09/2017 12:42

Urgh. I hate flying because of the way they pit people against each other like this. In fact I dgaf about having my bag in the hold, it's far more civilised than carting it around with me, so I don't fly with anyone who charges me to check it in.

That way I get a relaxed airport experience, and everyone who wants to try and fit their stuff (or can fit it) into a minibag can rock on and I'll read my book while they're all faffing around.

RubyWinterstorm · 21/09/2017 12:43

I tried the relax and wait to board approach.

The overhead locker was jam-packed with other people's bags, no space forms modestly sized backpack. The stewardess helpfully but it a few rows away from me...BEHIND me.

This meant I let to let EVERYONE off the plane before I could get to my bag and get off myself.

This sucked.

Now I queue

Badbadbunny · 21/09/2017 12:44

Overhead locker space.

Is the answer. With airlines encouraging people to take suitcases on board, it's become a free for all if you want your rucksack or holdall anywhere near you (i.e. for snacks, books, ipad etc for the flight), especially if you have children. If you're on late you're bags may be at the opposite end of the plane. Not to mention the risk of things stolen from it if you can't see your bag.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread