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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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? Confused

OP posts:
roofio87 · 21/09/2017 12:45

People go mad for mob mentality. One person starts a queue so everyone joins in. Our bin day is thursday but for some reason everyone had their bins out today, so i put mine out too, just because everyone else had 😂

FinallyHere · 21/09/2017 12:47

Put a case in the hold, only have a few essentials with me in a soft bag that fits under my seat.

I like to walk onto the plane, sit down in my seat and hear the announcement 'cabin doors to manual and cross check' and know i am on my way.

Reader, I married a queue-er who likes us to stay together and always always has stuff to go in an overhead locker. Sigh.

BoudicasBoudoir · 21/09/2017 12:48

Agreed - it's the locker space. I hate queuing and I hate doing what everyone else is doing, but I've tried not standing there like a sheep and it's true - if you don't get on the plane in time, there is nowhere to put your bag. This is especially true of short flights within the UK, which I do all the time.

Gromance02 · 21/09/2017 12:50

I'm happy to be last on the plane. The less time spent in a tin can the better.

SingingMySong · 21/09/2017 12:50

I just stuff my bag under the seat. Would much rather not have to get up to get my book, headphones, sweets etc. However I only tend to fly on holiday these days, so with checked luggage and children.

maxthemartian · 21/09/2017 12:51

I really wish they would stop allowing people to take massive suitcases on board.

Branleuse · 21/09/2017 12:52

I did this on my last flight, because I had two bags and was hoping they wouldnt put one in the hold if I got on early. They still did though

ECR123 · 21/09/2017 12:53

Roofio87, it is Thursday...?

My other airport pet hate is people practically standing on top of the luggage carousel, so no one else can see/get to their luggage. It actually ends up taking longer than if everyone just stayed behind the line...

squashyhat · 21/09/2017 12:53

I never take an onboard bag that is too big to fit under the seat in front of me - I won't put anything necessary for the flight where I can't see and have immediate access to it. So I'm happy to wait my turn. It does help that I have quite short legs...

Valeriemalorie · 21/09/2017 12:57

We flew with hand luggage only, sat patiently and didn't rush to queue, ended up having to put our luggage in the hold and wait at baggage reclaim. That is why we now get in the queue if we only have hand luggage.

MrsOverTheRoad · 21/09/2017 12:57

I get very anxious flying and doing this makes me feel better somehow.

Mrsdraper1 · 21/09/2017 12:57

Take a small bag for handluggage, then no need to queue

noramum · 21/09/2017 12:59

Overhead locker space and the fact that you will just swap your queue to later and queue in the aisle.

Less space, people are moaning, children winging because they can't see anything or being punched. I prefer queuing in peace first and then just sit, get my kindle out and wait for take off.

heyday · 21/09/2017 13:02

I guess that everything that seems illogical to some is perfectly logical to others........

wanderings · 21/09/2017 13:03

Hyacinth Bucket at the airport:

HB: Could the pilot fly a little faster and land a little earlier?
Check in lady: I'm afraid that's not possible.
HB: My husband would tip him generously!
Richard (sitting furiously): NO!
HB: Richard, I will not have you being so economical in public!

Mari50 · 21/09/2017 13:05

Prior to the advent of everyone taking their luggage onboard I would sit until the end (or get priority as my DD was under 5)
Now I grudgingly queue and overhead locker space is the reason, every flight I go on these days is very busy and other passengers are often told to put their luggage in the hold- can't be bothered with the waiting at the carousel so will happily wait in the queue to ensure I'm able to stow my bag.

paxillin · 21/09/2017 13:07

It's really boring at the airport. After an hour of sitting at the gate, queuing means a change of scenery I suppose?

problembottom · 21/09/2017 13:22

DP and I like to be last on the plane. We once had Ryanair priority boarding included with our extra legroom seats. DP went online the day before we flew and paid for it again for some unknown reason. Hmm Of course by the time we got to the gate on the day we'd missed priority boarding. The one we'd paid for twice...

JoandMax · 21/09/2017 13:28

I do as I'm a really anxious flier and I like to get on the plane, get the DC all settled then do some guided meditation before the plane takes off

zzzzz · 21/09/2017 13:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TsunamiOfShit · 21/09/2017 13:36

Definitely overhead locker space.

I usually have to get off the plane quickly and get going and if I get on the plane last they'll put my bag in the hold and I have to spend 30 minutes waiting for my bag the other side.

nc060 · 21/09/2017 13:37

Not all airlines give parents with Children priority. It is a pain in the bum trying to get onto a plane with buggy etc(having to carry it all down the stairs because budget airlines don't get the tunnels!). Also, need extra time once on the plane to wrangle toddler into his seat and get him settled enough to put his seat belt on in time for take off without an almighty tantrum.

Peachyking000 · 21/09/2017 13:37

It's up there with the people who stand up for ages, after the plane has landed abc before you are allowed to get off. Particularly the ones who are in a window seat, so they end up standing with their necks bent and their heads at a 90 degree angle to their body

GrumpyOldBag · 21/09/2017 13:38

It's the lockers. It's got much worse since airlines started charging for checked bags. Now everyone takes enormous carry-ons into the plane ...

steppemum · 21/09/2017 13:38

I always wait til last!

Once there was no overhead locker space. i had a small rucksack, the lockers were full of large suitcases.
I asked the stewardess where I could put it, she said by my feet. It was a long flight, and the rucksack was too large to sit comfortably by my feet, and I have long legs.
I politely said - sorry no, maybe one of the people who have brought too much hand luggage could put theirs by their feet, and free up some locker space?
She took my bag, and it reappeared at the end of the flight.

Now with small kids I always refused the offer of early boarding. I have seat reservations, I have lively toddlers, you wnat them to sit for about 30 minutes BEFORE we even take off?
No, last minute boarding all the way - get on, sit down, kids still interested in what is in seat pocket, plane starts moving. perfect.

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