Why, when people see a long queue…

[HaveItOffTilICough]

…do they stare at it in disbelief, gawp around like a fish an angler has just stunned with a rock, and then say incredulously, “Is this the queue?!”

What the bloody hell do you think it is?! A long line of people all heading in the same direction (in this case towards an airport gate) in the exact place you’d expect to find the long line of people - but oh no, this isn’t the queue. You’ve struck gold; you can just waltz onto the plane. We’re all stood in line because we’re starting a fucking conga!

Can I have another holiday to get over the airport please?

If you can't fit your hand luggage in anywhere because you were last on the plane that's not really your problem. The staff will have to find space for it.

Then again most of the time we check baggage in, much easier and I'd rather wait 10 minutes by the baggage carousel than be sat in my seat for an extra 10 minutes.

we were pulled out of the queue once priority had boarded. We had to hand over the pram to the ground crew who checked something on a form. So I guess they don't want hold ups on that.

With the flight out I actually thought we might nearly miss it. We were at the gate but the buggy was being a PITA. It was Ryanair, who I have no issue with, what you see is what you get. But what we nearly got was left behind!! The sweat was pouring out of me when we finally got on.

They make you check your hand luggage if there is no space left on the plane in the bins. It's called gate checking. That's when there is a massive dash for space as nobody wants to wait for checked bags. If there is no space in the bins, there is no other option but to gate check. There is no more room to find.

It will go into the hold, meaning you may not have what you wanted to take on board with you. This is why people try and get on the plane sooner rather than later.

10 mins by the baggage carousel? It's usually way longer than that!

The plane is a bad example, because queueing for ages before boarding has even been announced is bonkers. I would probably make a comment like that... Then sit down and wait for the idiots to get to their ASSIGNED seats they cannot change!

They are only taking what they are allowed to take. They're pretty strict about it, aren't they. And they are clear that it will go into the hold if there's not enough room in the cabin.
So people get in the queue early so they can keep hold of their bags.

I just don't understand this. Drives me nuts. Can somebody who joins the long queue to board please explain the point of this.

I mean I get that it’s hard at the end of a holiday, but are you ok @HaveItOffTilICough ? You seem, I dunno, stressed?

These 'idiots' might be nervous fliers.
Some people like to settle themselves in rather than be the one clamouring over the person in the aisle seat who has boarded before them.

To add, Ive been flying frequently for years. Never, ever had a problem getting my carry on luggage in the locker above my seat and I always wait until the last few minutes to join the queue.

Well that would mean that approx 90% of passengers must be anxious !

As a general point, I do think it is worth checking you are in the right queue for something rather than waiting there for an hour only to find out you should have been elsewhere.

Re the airport, I'm with the sensible people who have grasped the fact the plane isn't leaving without everyone who has booked in, being on it. I have a numbered seat. It makes no difference to me if I am first on or last on, that seat is still my seat. Commonly, they call people to board in groups anyway, not letting people on because they were at the gate first. So no point in queuing at the gate.

I hadn't until the last year or so when everyone takes more hand luggage -and the absolute max size allowed, so basically the mini suitcases. Used to the odd person with a huge bag, but now its far more common for people to avoid taking a checked bag and just take hand luggage. Wouldn't be so bad if they also didn't have a handbag or rucksack and duty free...
Last flight I took back from LA a few months ago I witnessed my first proper argument about space in the overhead. A man was actually taking other people's bags out and dumping them in the aisle as his seat bin above was already full.
I always just take a bag that fits under my seat so no issues for me. I've started seeing more gate checking now.

I experienced it for the first time this year, which was my first time on a Jet2 package holiday. I don't know if that's relevant.

Yup. And of course no one on MN queues!

Related: why do people see a queue at a locked, closed door waiting for opening time and then feel the need to try said door? And then ask if it’s closed? Why do they think we’re standing there?!

I must be an enthusiastic queuer! We hadn't long moved to the area and I joined what I thought was the left turn queue at approaching traffic lights. I had actually joined a line of parked cars....my husband was like WTF as it took me a while to realise......

I’m fine, thanks 🙄

Just a friendly question. No need for an eye roll. Are you home now?

As it happens I agree with you. I flew back from holiday yesterday and it was pandemonium.

Yes, I always feel very stressed about not being able to put my hand luggage near my seat.

I also get really fed up (British Airways I'm looking at you) with airlines not policing the amount of hand luggage people take on board. On a recent flight, a family got on with about double the amount. They squeezed one of their numerous bags in the locker above me that was already full and shortly after take off opened the locker and loads of bottles of water fell out. One of the bottles landed on my head and I was in a lot of pain foe the next few hours.