When we were boarding the plane a few weeks ago, my daughters and I were laughing at all the ridiculous things people do when boarding a plane. The process could go so smoothly if people would just pay attention to common sense rules. Most of the time people don’t even realize that what they’re doing is holding up the rest of the passengers, but others are just plain selfish. So…here are 10 things we thought people should NOT do when they’re boarding a plane:
1. ARMS AND LEGS: If you have an aisle seat you will have plenty of time to stretch out during the flight. I will not feel bad for you if you get your elbow banged while I’m walking if your elbow is halfway across the aisle. Keep them in your seat until everyone is on board!
2. OVERHEAD BINS: Crazy concept… but we are actually ALL sharing the overhead bins, so please set your bag sideways and allow room for others to do the same. Don’t be that guy that puts it lengthwise right in the middle of the bin!
3. STANDING IN AISLE: We all have the same task…put our bags up and sit down. Please do not stand in the aisle taking out your magazines while we all wait for you.
4. SEATBELT: Safety first…but actually on a plane it should be seating first. If you are in the middle or aisle seat, do not put your seatbelt on until the person seated on the inside seats have boarded. I see this all the time. Then you have to wait until they unbuckle before their seatmate can get in.
5. FORGETTING SILLY STUFF: Before getting on the plane, make sure you have placed anything you will need for the flight in the bag you’ll have at your feet. During boarding time, it’s not convenient for people to wait for you as you go back to your overhead bins to grab headphones, gum, or a book. Plan ahead!
6. FOOD: We all get hungry, but boarding is not the time to spread out your feast before everyone in your row is seated.
7. PHONES: There are usually a few people who get back on their phones after the flight attendants sits down and talk just long enough for me to panic…lol.
8. AIR: I’m pretty picky about the temperature at my seat so please do not turn all the air vents on full blast. Thank you for your help, but I am more than capable of turning mine up.
9. SEATS: There is a reason seats are numbered so please do not try to sit somewhere else and then pretend to not know you are in the wrong spot. On our last flight two women were trying to pull this off. We heard them discussing it while boarding and then acted oblivious when the real person showed up at her seat. I may say…it was very convincing and the woman could have won an award for her performance. Unfortunately, having the flight attendant have to sort it out held us all up.
10. MY SEAT: You know there will probably be someone sitting next to you, so please place your things in the foot space in front of you instead of spreading out a bunch of your stuff so I’ll have to stand in the aisle as you clear it off.
So, what can we all do to ensure we all have a nice boarding process?
1. Be as quick as you can.
2. Help people that look like they may need it. Carry-on bags can get heavy and it’s always nice to get help lifting them.
3. Be courteous.
4. Be nice to your fellow passengers, especially elderly ones or people traveling with babies.
5. Be patient.
6. Know where your sitting before you get on the plane. What row? Seat number? Will you be on the left or right of the plane?
7. Be friendly to the flight attendants.
Enjoy your flight!!