AIBU - Etiquette disembarking plane

[planeetiquette]

I recently flew into LA, the flight was jam packed and the overhead lockers filled up quickly so the flight attendants took bags off people and put them wherever they could find space in the lockers.

I was in an aisle seat, and had a connecting flight, so when the seatbelt sign went off I stood up like everyone else, got my carry on out of the overhead locker and waited to disembark.

That's when an American lady from the row in front of me turned to me and said she needed to get past me to get to her luggage and then bring it backto her place in the queue.

I said sorry, that's not going to work as the aisle is really narrow and filled with luggage right now, it'd be best if you sat down and waited until some people have disembarked so there's more space.

She got angry and said "Fine, if you don't move I'm going to BLOCK the aisle. We'll get the flight attendants involved"

It wasn't just her, there was also a group of men in front who needed their luggage from the back of the plane as well and they backed her up (!)

After such a long flight I was over it, and said in my most calm but firm voice:

"Guys, waiting is a fact of life, you're just going to have to sit and wait.

"Your luggage is down the back of the plane. I'm sorry but that's not my fault. This is a very narrow space and I don't know what you want me to do."

In the end the flight attendants never got involved, as someone behind me passed luggage over my head to the lady and the men.

At the time I thought I was in the right (I fly a lot for work). But the more I think about it, is that just how they do it in the US? If you're "ahead" in the rows, you retain the right to get off first even if you're not prepared? If that's the case, I understand why she was angry.

I'd have just stood back in my seat place but had case in aisle, but pulled to side.
The passenger could have then got past and ask the other standing passengers to do the same down the plane.
I wouldn't have waited for her to return before disembarking if the queue started to move though.

Tbh I doubt she'd have got there and back to her luggage that quick if everyone else was stood up in the aisle as well.

Only the larger cabin bags should go in the overhead lockers. One over passenger.
Small cabin bags and jackets are supposed to do under the seat in front, unless you are in an exit aisle.

Some of the budget airlines enforce this and it does make a big difference generally with most people able to have their luggage nearer to them.

Sorry i also like to get up and ready to get out. I don't believe in "queues" in planes. But in a scenario like this I would have done everything I could to let them pass.

So what would you have done if it was your luggage the flight attendant had moved further back?

I’ve already answered what I would do, I’d have flagged with the flight attendants that I had a connecting flight and see if they could help.

If I had no connecting flight, and my bag had been moved down the plane, I would have sat and waited like a normal person! In fact I usually do hang back with the families and older people for the plane to clear.

I’ve mentioned that I explained to the lady I had a connecting flight and she said nothing about having a connecting flight as well.

I think anyone who has luggage in the overhead lockers need to sit down until those without can get off first.

I used to be cabin crew (UK airline) and storage for baggage was one of the biggest issues we had. We'd fly to a city break destination and everyone would have the little carry on suitcases and complain when they couldn't get it directly above their heads. As soon as we would land, people would rush out of their seats (even when taxiing) to get their bags.
If it was me, I would've moved as it seems like it would be less hassle for you to just go with it but I don't understand the rush to get off the plane so quickly.
But I don't think you're being unreasonable and what's done is done now so forget about it and don't let it bother you

For future reference, the way to let people past you when you’re standing in the aisle with your luggage is:
Step 1: put your luggage onto the closest seat.
Step 2: step into the legroom of said seat, facing your luggage and keeping a hand on it.
Step 3: allow the person to pass.
Step 4: step back into the aisle, taking your luggage with you.

It really isn’t that hard!

And if some of those with luggage in the overhead lockers are sat in aisle seats?

It would be manners to allow row 1 to disembar, then row 2, then 3 and so on. It is different when there's luggage here there and everywhere though. Plane disembarkment is a free for all, I wish the flight attendants would instill some order!

Yeah I think she should have waited, that's what I'd do, or if I needed to get off the plane urgently for a connecting flight if possible I'd have grabbed my bag during the flight and stuffed it under the seat, or asked cabin crew for help in advance. Though I find most US airlines I've flown with the cabin crew can be superficially helpful but then hide at the key moment and/or completely forget what they were supposed to do. [Not picking on US airlines here, just noting as you refer to US airlines in your post].

I completely get why you didn't let her past and TBH I'd have been tempted to do the same - though ideally better to let her struggle back and get stuck. That said I've moved out of the aisle before to let someone through and someone else has leapt up and taken my space so I was stuck - and I had a connecting flight which I was late for 😩I think airlines should put some process behind it to speed up the emptying of the plane but I guess in reality it's all just too much effort for them for the sake of 5 mins.

TBH most flights I’ve been a passenger on over the years that’s pretty much what I’ve seen happen almost automatically….it’s usually reasonably orderly….

Yes there’s a bit of a faff if timings have resulted in tight connections and/or bags have gone been separated from owners but most people seem to be able to cope without any drama, many using the technique described by @Anxiouslump.

I also once went on a flight where people were all I'm totally the wrong seats and refused to move (not 1 or 2 people but 50% at least), refused to sit down for takeoff or landing or wear seat belts without a row, and had stashed their luggage all over the plane but refused to let anyone off first. So lots of shoving to try to get to their bags whilst others were trying to exit. It took more than 20 mins for the plane to empty and it was not a big one. There's definitely a lot to be said for having a clear exit procedure and following it!

I’ve had similar experiences on holidays with mainly Brits in Europe but I definitely don’t view it as it being because of the area they’re from.

I think everyone is missing the most crucial piece of information. The person in question was “an American lady” which automatically means rude, bad and wrong. yes you were unreasonable and entitled.

You're lucky, I've not seen anywhere near such good manners on a flight!

Sorry OP I think you're a little bit unreasonable here - but to be fair long haul economy flights make the most reasonable people VVU!!!

I reckon you could have squeezed back into your spot with your carry on luggage BUT,.really, cabin crew should have sorted the luggage for the lady and other people after the plane had landed.

I can 100% understand your anxiety about making your connection, though. LAX is a flippin nightmare isn't it?!?! Immigration (even in transit) takes ages and the airport itself is like the twilight zone. Shuddering thinking about it!

But why shouldn't the op grab her luggage? How is she supposed to know where everyone's luggage is?
I'm with you op. They were being dicks.

Where is she supposed to go?

What if the lady in front of you also had a connecting flight? Should she miss it because her luggage happened to be at the back of the aircraft and you have "right of way" ? I think you were unreasonable

The people commenting on connecting flights clearly have not done them or have been lucky. The only two times we have had a connecting flight, we've ended up close to missing it. One time we and others were literally running through the airport. So yes I'd want to get off ASAP if I had another flight to get. Airlines should let passengers with a connection off first.

I'm American and in that situation it's usual to allow the person whose bags are way in the back to go past you back to where their bags are. But it would not have been normal for that woman to then push her way all the way back to her seat with her bags. Once she went to the back she should have exited with the people in the back.
I am one of those people who pops up as soon as I can and gets my bag from the bin, but I then get back in my seat with my bag out of people's way until just before my row gets to exit.

I think OP has disembarked this thread!

How the fuck do you know? Are you in charge of plane timetables across the world?
What a silly thing to say