I’m not trying to be sassy, but I’m curious to hear how others feel about this…
In this post:
Why are boarding announcements in the US so aggressive?
To state the obvious, flying norms around the world differ. Boarding a domestic flight within Japan vs. boarding a domestic flight within the United States might make you think you’re on two different planets.
For example, when you fly most world class Asian carriers, there are almost no announcements onboard the aircraft during boarding. Instead, there’s beautiful boarding music playing, and flight attendants communicate in a calm and professional manner.
In the United States, it’s often the opposite. I’m not meaning to single out any particular airline, but as an example, I just took a flight on American, which perhaps most accurately summed up how chaotic boarding announcements can be.
It of course starts with the gate agents. They often create panic by telling people they’re going to have to check bags, that the flight is completely full, and that it’s up to passengers to ensure that the flight isn’t delayed, based on their actions.
Then I had a flight attendant who was otherwise very friendly, but I couldn’t believe her constant announcements. She made eight announcements during the 40-minute boarding process:
- Starting 30 minutes before departure, she started announcing how we were past our door close time, and that if everyone didn’t settle in quickly, we’d be delayed (that’s just a flat out lie, but okay)
- She then explained that if passengers couldn’t find overhead bin space they should bring their bags forward to be gate checked, and that this would delay the flight (what exactly do you want people to do with that information?)
- She kept saying how many passengers had international connections, and they would miss them if we were delayed (mind you, this was a flight to LaGuardia, which does have flights to Canada, but that’s it…)
That’s just the announcements she made over the PA prior to the door closing, and doesn’t include her yelling at the door, including her constant (very bad) Spanish of “A, B, C a la derecha, D, E, F a la izquierda.” You’d think we were emergency evacuating the plane, rather than boarding.
This is just one example, but I think anyone who has flown in the United States can confirm that boarding isn’t a relaxing experience, but instead, it’s filled with announcements that include threats, and puts the burden of an on-time departure on passengers, rather than the airline.
Go figure that despite the threats of our delay and everyone missing all those important international connections, we departed early and arrived early.
Do these announcements actually accomplish anything?
I think the flight attendants that make these super chaotic announcements are typically well intentioned. Flight attendants are trained about the importance of on-time departures, and they believe that making these kinds of announcements will help with ensuring that. I dunno, or maybe some just enjoy hearing their own voices.
So I can’t help but wonder… does any of this actually accomplish anything? US airlines generally have the longest boarding processes of anywhere in the world. I think that comes down to a variety of factors — our complicated boarding systems (since boarding is intended to coddle elites and get people to sign-up for credit cards), oversized carry-ons due to lack of available overhead bin space, a general “hunger games” style competition to board, plus lack of staffing at the gate and onboard.
While I understand why boarding is slow, do these kinds of aggressive, threatening, and often dishonest announcements, actually accomplish anything? Do they cause people to board more quickly and more orderly?
Despite threats that basically make people feel like they’re personally responsible if there’s a delay, it doesn’t seem like it actually speeds anything up. Quite to the contrary, I think we’re so used to being yelled at while flying, with constant threats of operational breakdowns, that we’re just desensitized to it, and it goes in one ear, and out the other.
With that in mind, I have two thoughts. First of all, I’d love to see an airline trial just not making any announcements during the main phase of boarding, and see if it at all impacts the efficiency. I’d be willing to bet the answer is “no.” It would certainly make the whole experience less stressful, in terms of not having to listen to people yell.
At a minimum, I’d love to see airlines actually ask flight attendants to read off a script, rather than them each adding their own flair to it. Ideally that announcement would actually come across as friendly and welcoming, starting with something like “welcome aboard, we’re glad to have you flying with us today.” I think this is an area where European airlines do a much better job than US airlines.
Bottom line
If you ask me, there’s nowhere in the world where boarding is consistently as chaotic as in the United States (okay maybe in Egypt or something, but…). US airlines tend to board flights very early, and then there are constant announcements during boarding which almost feel threatening.
It includes threats of how passengers are responsible for delaying flights, and I can’t help but feel like it just creates a cycle of stress. Worst of all, I’m convinced it doesn’t actually accomplish much, because how much more slowly could we collectively board planes?
What’s your take on the “vibe” of boarding flights in the United States? Am I the only one who notices these things?
Lets try the calm. Maybe a sign about free gate checking.
There's a typo; it should read "oversized carry-ons due to the available overhead bin space".
I Asia the overhead space is limited on purpose, and bag check is free (also on purpose). Passengers have much more airspace / less claustrophobic, which helps making the experience much less stressful.
The comparison to carriers in other parts of the world is useless without knowing what the turn times for each airlines aircraft is. If one airline has an average turn time of 1.5 hour on the ground vs 2 hr I think you will find your answer. If they are the same then further study has merit. Airplanes not in flight aren't making money.
I could not agree more with the experiences and views expressed in this article. I experience alarmist and threatening boarding announcements especially on short haul flights (AA and Delta from Boston to LGA), and often the flights are not fully booked. I should point out, though, that I also experienced the same thing yesterday when Swiss boarded my plane from Frankfurt to Zürich. I give Swiss very high marks on every aspect of their operations...
I could not agree more with the experiences and views expressed in this article. I experience alarmist and threatening boarding announcements especially on short haul flights (AA and Delta from Boston to LGA), and often the flights are not fully booked. I should point out, though, that I also experienced the same thing yesterday when Swiss boarded my plane from Frankfurt to Zürich. I give Swiss very high marks on every aspect of their operations that affects me as a passenger, but this stuck out negatively.
I have mostly been flying on Turkish Airlines through Istanbul and had a round trip flight from LGA to CHS last weekend.
I was assaulted by constant music in the airport. And announcements on top of that are hard to deal with.
I missed the general silence of Istanbul airport. I could hear myself think.
At this of repeating what others have written, it's a combination of the carrier and travelers. It's on the carrier because they have monetized checked bags to the point that people won't check larger bags and don't enforce carry on bag sizing. It's on the travelers for using oversized carry-ons, due to an unwillingness to pay steep checked bag pricing, and because of irrational fears of lost luggage. Yes lost luggage happens but it's not...
At this of repeating what others have written, it's a combination of the carrier and travelers. It's on the carrier because they have monetized checked bags to the point that people won't check larger bags and don't enforce carry on bag sizing. It's on the travelers for using oversized carry-ons, due to an unwillingness to pay steep checked bag pricing, and because of irrational fears of lost luggage. Yes lost luggage happens but it's not an epidemic.
Factor all that in and you have the hunger games.
I've always maintained if airlines charged for carry-on bags and offered free checked bags they'd make more money and boarding would be smoother.
Amen!
A calm cabin is a safe cabin.
The cabin crew cannot have to lift or carry bags, but they can help boarding by shutting up. If passenger is struggling, go the passenger and help find some room. As long as someone is at the door, the crew in the aisle can help get everything stowed. Don't announce; go help.
And don't wait to check the bulkheads until after pushback. Get those bags...
Amen!
A calm cabin is a safe cabin.
The cabin crew cannot have to lift or carry bags, but they can help boarding by shutting up. If passenger is struggling, go the passenger and help find some room. As long as someone is at the door, the crew in the aisle can help get everything stowed. Don't announce; go help.
And don't wait to check the bulkheads until after pushback. Get those bags up top before you have to deal with them after pushback. It seems kind of obvious.
"This is a VERY FULL flight!" What good did that do? It's a grammatically troublesome phrase, and it's shaming. Hey, I didn't choose the "VERY FULL" flight. Why do I need to be shamed and threatened?
"Step in to your row." Lovely idea, but there are two other people with LD-3 sized hand luggage trying to get into a row with 29-inch seat pitch. Yes, I'd like to step into my row. Shouting about it will just make me feel frustrated. It won't get you closer to D=0.
There is a sinister airline culture in the USA about the announcements. They're ineffective; people don't listen, and they raise stress at the most anxiety-producing time for passengers and for crew. It's like an unprepared primary school teacher trying to gain control over a classroom of 30 kinds. The best teachers maintain classroom management through calm and confidence without condescension.
Ben, I think you're making a point that is missing from crew training: the goal is to solve the problem and push back. The goal is not to teach passengers a lesson.
Flight attendants CAN do a better job, but I feel like nobody is modelling or teaching the calmer authority that gets the job done.
As for credit cards? It's worse in Europe. You can have weapons-grade noise cancelling headphones, but it won't do a thing to hear the hawking announcements on European or UK low cost carriers. At least we get warning in the States: "We're about 30 minutes prior to our arrival..." That's your cue to get headphones on IFE or tablet ready.
Ben, if you want to take on the other irritant, visit a sterile part of a US airport. What do you hear? 'The Transportation Security Administration has limited the quantities of liquids..." OMG, I'm already passed the security checkpoint. Why do I have to listen to this noise pollution? In what way does this help anyone? Someone make it stop!
There's two things at play here -
It's a you, not me snippy attitude process by all of the airlines.
The real and the biggest reason they use those tactics is so they can get paid for each sequence... Their pushback, their taxi and their takeoff times.
PS -
ANA can board a 777 in 15 minutes .... why.... passengers are NOT bringing on board 2 pieces of overly large luggage, where there is no where to put it. They restrict on board baggage, but delivery your bag in a timely manner... I forgot that last straw.
Think about it.. a 777 fully boarded in 15 minutes , with out all of the scolding and lecturing from the crew
It starts with the TSA yelling at you, instead of having overhead signs including real time video screens. (Once a TSA agent was screaming at me, I could not understand what he was saying) --- After getting through I complained to the Supervisor -- did it ever occur to the TSA that people do not speak English, or could be deaf. This kid had zero patients and zero customer service or critical thinking skills, should...
It starts with the TSA yelling at you, instead of having overhead signs including real time video screens. (Once a TSA agent was screaming at me, I could not understand what he was saying) --- After getting through I complained to the Supervisor -- did it ever occur to the TSA that people do not speak English, or could be deaf. This kid had zero patients and zero customer service or critical thinking skills, should NOT have had the job.
The gate situation is chaotic... pushing, shoving, yelling and screaming. It doesnt help that the 3 supposedly world class US airlines can't seem to be able to design a gate layout that works. Plus the shitty US airports do not separate inbound vs. outbound passenger flows, except for international flights.
Then you get on the US based airline and it's a litany of inane announcement, including the canned announcement that lecture and scold you- over and over again.
The final straw is the overly cautious "Fasten Seat Belt" usage. The slightest bump and they put the sign on for 30 minutes or more --- mainly so the Flight Attendants get a break - or to let the pilots out (Most international airlines, the pilots simply come out of the cockpit to use the facilities).
Its a shit show from start to finish-coupled with horrible service (no existent) , terrible food, and poor behaviour by the passengers.
Next week ---- ANA from JFK to HND in J. a world of difference
And have fun in "the friendly skies"
In Europe (or anywhere outside of the US, for that matter), boarding a plane involves so much less drama … No announcements on board apart from the occasional (i.e. every 5 minutes) greeting to all newly-boarded passengers and a kind reminder to also stow heavy items of hand luggage underneath the seat in front.
That’s it - no shouting, no threats, no made-up nonsense rules. And yet boarding is faster and more orderly.
I don’t doubt most FAs and gate agents mean well, but the system encourages this behaviour. When overhead bins are scarce, boarding groups are monetized, and on-time metrics are everything, the PA becomes a blunt instrument. Other countries have shown that better design beats louder announcements every time.
I think it is a typical escalation circle. US passengers have the famous kitchen sink, try to get in as early as possible and basically are not good in following senseful rules…
Is flight attendants are „here for your safety“ and more often than desirable have a power complex
Cliche? Yes but give me boarding in Asia everytime over that in the USA but imho both sides are equally responsible.
It's an AA in Miami problem. I dislike MIA agents especially. Ben, your sass has nothing on the MIA sassitude. I'm mild-mannered in public but will push back on those agents. They are usually just bluff, anyway.
My spouse is an AA FA, so when I hear the PAs about a full flight from either gate agents or FAs I check the employee travel app which shows a bit of behind the curtains info....
It's an AA in Miami problem. I dislike MIA agents especially. Ben, your sass has nothing on the MIA sassitude. I'm mild-mannered in public but will push back on those agents. They are usually just bluff, anyway.
My spouse is an AA FA, so when I hear the PAs about a full flight from either gate agents or FAs I check the employee travel app which shows a bit of behind the curtains info. Yes, those PAs are often lies.
There is WAY to much chattering over the PA. Just stfu, please. I agree, let's do a trial for one month of no announcements during boarding.
What i don't understand is all the constant yammering but when an FA could intervene in an issue they just stand in the galley on their phone.
Same with gate agents, LAX has some overly talkative ones especially at TBIT. What they should do besides talking into microphone is actually direct traffic, police the lines, expedite flow, etc. Hell, I want that job since so many people seem clueless at a gate.
I agree that you are flying AA too much. Although I am not flying within the US that much lately, I haven't experienced the same on other airlines
All true
But then if you observe how people board quickly in Europe vs drag themselves to their seat in the US then you may grasp why the differences
FA here. I don't fly in the US, but in a country with a very similar mindset and with people that fly way less frequently than the average American. And I am totally on your side in that matter: making theratning PAs is not effective at all.
First and foremost, the main reason that boarding takes so long is cultural, and no PA in the world can fix that. People take way longer than...
FA here. I don't fly in the US, but in a country with a very similar mindset and with people that fly way less frequently than the average American. And I am totally on your side in that matter: making theratning PAs is not effective at all.
First and foremost, the main reason that boarding takes so long is cultural, and no PA in the world can fix that. People take way longer than they should in finding their seats and stowing luggage.
But, as an FA, we have to work with what we have at our hands. I KNOW that my passengers behave like this, and making terror over the PA will not bring any good or making anybody speed up, but it will bother many people, especially the more frequent fliers. From my experience, asking for the passengers' collaboration is the most effective. For example, when making a PA about luggage, I usually say something like "We are expecting a full flight today so your collaboration is crucial for ensuring our punctuality and that all customers are able to take their bags onboard" and often I see people that had placed more than one item on the bins removing it to make space for more bags.
That is the most our PA's can accomplish.
Unfortunately, many colleagues seem to think otherwise.
Not only does it not make it a good experience, it makes many people tune out the announcements. Consider if they had something really important to say it would be ignored by many people because of all of the other less important things they say. Also consider on Asian airlines there is no hype about gate checking bags. In fact many people actually check their bags.
We used to have very nice boarding music on United's 727s in the late 60s. Calmed the passengers down quite a bit! (and us stews, too!)
Yes, if all carry on bags in economy class were limited to 7kg, as on most asian carriers, then things would move a lot faster. (Sometimes up to 15Kg on international.)
My pet peeve is that security lines in the US tend not to have signs about what to remove, so the security person repeats the same message over and over again. Of course, despite the repeated announcement, person after person can watch all...
Yes, if all carry on bags in economy class were limited to 7kg, as on most asian carriers, then things would move a lot faster. (Sometimes up to 15Kg on international.)
My pet peeve is that security lines in the US tend not to have signs about what to remove, so the security person repeats the same message over and over again. Of course, despite the repeated announcement, person after person can watch all of the people in front of them trying to get through the metal detector with every sort of metal you can imagine, only to be sent back to do it over again. Then the next person, after watching this process, does the same thing. Why is there not a big sign further back in the line telling the average traveler what to remove?
I think it's a US thing, we value extroversion to an extreme degree.
So "too loud and overly talkative" doesn't have the negative connotations it does in almost all civilized cultures. That extends into the business culture like those FA's...
tbh this is very AA. used to call it the "We So Desperately Need D0 announcements" back when they used to be obsessed with door zero
America is about freedom.
We don't need to be reading off a script as long as basic required information is covered. I appreciate the individual flair and FAs trying to be standup comics and such.
Not everyone wants an Asian dronebot experience to feel calm
My personal favorite dishonesty is the “we have a completely full flight today”- when they then proceed to close the door 30% empty lol
The same issue exists with TSA. In other countries the security process is calm and orderly. No one yells at you at all. And yet people get through quicker.
As a Airline Employee of almost 40 years..I have heard and seen everything..my view of International travelers vs Domestic..most International travelers know how to travel..they check all their luggage and they listen and follow the announcements made by the gate agent..(i said most not all)..thus no real need to make untold baggage check announcements..I'm constantly amazed and somewhat annoyed that passengers totally jam the boarding area and boarding is still 20 minutes away..I find for...
As a Airline Employee of almost 40 years..I have heard and seen everything..my view of International travelers vs Domestic..most International travelers know how to travel..they check all their luggage and they listen and follow the announcements made by the gate agent..(i said most not all)..thus no real need to make untold baggage check announcements..I'm constantly amazed and somewhat annoyed that passengers totally jam the boarding area and boarding is still 20 minutes away..I find for the most part that people don't listen..they follow the boarding crowd etc..etc..hence the constant announcements..and we Americans have a problem with packing sensibly..thus again having to gate check bags which is like pulling teeth in some cases..even if you are a first time flyer..please don't your Airport homework before traveling..and if you are traveling with children..double check your work..lol..I will be retiring in a couple more years and believe it or not..I will miss some of what I do but I will be the most patient and understanding and respectful and friendly traveler when I find myself on the other side of the gate..as I am always...GB.
Well, on international itineraries checked luggage is generally (still) free, while not everyone wants to check their bags for domestic hops (and pay for that).
I find whether this happens or not heavily, heavily depends on which airports you fly out of.
I just wish I could HEAR the announcements at the gate and on the aircraft. Impossible to understand!
Part of the problem is most airlines don't pay flight attendants anything until the doors close. So they are working for free until they get everybody on board. That means they want to get your butt down the ramp and into a seat as fast as possible.
Must be US carriers. Employees of legacy carriers in Europe are paid a salary plus benefits. You are working from the time you arrive at the airport.
Still hard to fathom. Who else works for free like that? Such a weird pay structure.
Getting the plane in the air quicker won’t increase the time in the air?
Landing slots are based on flight schedules not just arriving quicker. Sure there might be instances where they will accommodate an early landing but good luck with that during peak banks at LHR JFK DXB SIN etc. So even if your point isn’t about being paid more but getting home quicker it still seems trivial because 9/10 the plane won’t get...
Getting the plane in the air quicker won’t increase the time in the air?
Landing slots are based on flight schedules not just arriving quicker. Sure there might be instances where they will accommodate an early landing but good luck with that during peak banks at LHR JFK DXB SIN etc. So even if your point isn’t about being paid more but getting home quicker it still seems trivial because 9/10 the plane won’t get an earlier landing slot, and 1/10 the 15 mins saved by landing early can easily get eaten into my landing at a remote stand or a long queue for a taxi, or a late shuttle bus for crew.
"most airlines don't pay flight attendants anything until the doors close"
It's time to move beyond this fiction. Flight attendants are at work the moment they step into an airport, even though the clock runs only during flight time. Gary explains (https://viewfromthewing.com/why-flight-attendants-dont-get-paid-until-aircraft-doors-close/) why the unions prefer this and that expanding clock time would result in lower per-hour pay anyway.
This flight in question was on AA. They pay boarding time.
I don’t hear these chaotic announcements on UA flights, which doesn’t (yet) pay boarding time.
It’s fiction. If not we will see pilots flying slowly and taxiing slowly. Paying by actual minute will bring out human instincts for more pay immediately. Lol.
Ok but nobody is answering the important question.
What’s the point of getting off the ground quicker? It doesn’t make the flight longer!!
Aircraft utilization. An aircraft that's sitting on the ground isn't making the airline any money. The one that's in the air does. Hence the interest to turn it around as fast as they can.
If you pay boarding time you should board as late as possible, hustle everyone in, take off late but land early. And still you have an aircraft utilization problem because you need to wait for the next flight slot.
To solve bother the employee and aircraft utilization issue you fly like easyJet/Ryanair: punitive Hand luggage policy, too short turnaround times, board from bus gates with clearly signed row numbers for front and back and...
If you pay boarding time you should board as late as possible, hustle everyone in, take off late but land early. And still you have an aircraft utilization problem because you need to wait for the next flight slot.
To solve bother the employee and aircraft utilization issue you fly like easyJet/Ryanair: punitive Hand luggage policy, too short turnaround times, board from bus gates with clearly signed row numbers for front and back and hope you don't accumulate too much delay throughout the day.
You can’t just land early because you take off early though.
It’s dictated by a schedule not speed.
The exceptions are rare not normal.
It doesn't change the AIR time, but agents are paid from door close to door open (for some airlines). So they get paid while sitting at the arrival airport waiting for a gate.
I sat next to an FA about 10 years ago, and she shared that the pilots are paid by the route so sometimes try to get done and home sooner. Sometimes they would get out early and slow down the flight to give the crew a little more paid time. It is a very, very screwed up compensation model.
I mainly fly UA and SWA, and I can't remember the last time (any time?) I've had anything as hostile as what you're describing, even from EWR. Agree about the irritating boarding music, though. In any case, my noise-cancels go on the second I'm seated and I tune out whatever else happens.
Not as annoying as the credit card promo announcements and honestly I usually have my ear plugs in and not paying attention anyway. Side note, I flew Porter Air recently for the first time and that was the first time in over 500 flights that the flight attendants enforced passengers taking their ear plugs out to pay attention to safety demo. The other thing that always catches my attention is how Asian carriers can consistently...
Not as annoying as the credit card promo announcements and honestly I usually have my ear plugs in and not paying attention anyway. Side note, I flew Porter Air recently for the first time and that was the first time in over 500 flights that the flight attendants enforced passengers taking their ear plugs out to pay attention to safety demo. The other thing that always catches my attention is how Asian carriers can consistently board an almost completely full 787 in less than 15 minutes. Good luck with that on AA.
If I am to guess - not as many cardholders with priority boarding benefits who block the aisle close to the front of the aircraft?
Most airline announcements are dishonest...
"Your flight is delayed because of a minor air conditioning fault; technicians are working on it and we'll be under way shortly" while we all stood at the window, watching a half-dozen mechanics desperately struggling with a nosegear problem, in front of our eyes. LOL
"...So I can’t help but wonder… does any of this actually accomplish anything?"
Well given that you stated your flight left early and arrived early... I'll leave you to be the judge.
@ justindev -- Correlation does not imply causation...
agreed. Let's see the experiment. "Announcement-free zone", please, just like the lounge. Welcome ladies and gentlemen, there will be no announcements. We've all done this before. figure it out! Thank you for flying with us!
So you think the passengers wouldn’t have taken their seats and stowed their bags if there hadn’t been 10 announcements?
The UA pax seem to figure it out and UA flights leave on time more than the AA flights.
The problem starts with the culture. But the solution starts with the airline.
I agree with Ben's prediction: just shut up. And see what happens.
My last longhaul flight on a JL widebody boarded with 3 different queues at the gate and 5 staff. They boarded it in 20 minutes, which means they moved all economy passengers through the gate in 15 minutes. There were just as many inexperienced travellers, parents with infants and toddlers,...
The problem starts with the culture. But the solution starts with the airline.
I agree with Ben's prediction: just shut up. And see what happens.
My last longhaul flight on a JL widebody boarded with 3 different queues at the gate and 5 staff. They boarded it in 20 minutes, which means they moved all economy passengers through the gate in 15 minutes. There were just as many inexperienced travellers, parents with infants and toddlers, young with headphones unaware of the announcements, as you would see in USA. What was different was the missing group: the desperately frustrated, the angry, the drunks.
Fewer announcements were required than in USA, because the displays clearly showed what group was boarding. There were multiple displays, much more than in USA. another tech innovation helped: passengers who'd enrolled in the facial recog before checkin got their own boarding lane, where they didn't have to show ID.
- better tech
- more tech
- staff young enough to operate the tech
- actual enforcement of boarding order
- no barrage of "little boy who cried wolf" announcements
One thing that helps JL board their planes faster is a much lower density of seating, for example their low and high density 789s have about the same number of Biz/PremEco seats as AA's low and high density 789s, respectively, but has about 45 fewer coach seats. This gives more overhead space per passenger, and it's easier for people in coach to do things like finding their headphones in their rollaboard in their seat vs...
One thing that helps JL board their planes faster is a much lower density of seating, for example their low and high density 789s have about the same number of Biz/PremEco seats as AA's low and high density 789s, respectively, but has about 45 fewer coach seats. This gives more overhead space per passenger, and it's easier for people in coach to do things like finding their headphones in their rollaboard in their seat vs in the aisle and people in PremEco can get into their middle/window seat without the person in the aisle having to get up.
Well, yes, some planes do have less dense configurations, but even on their densest, like the 400 seats A350s, boarding times hardly exceed 20 minutes at JL.
Japanese culture puts an emphasis on respecting the individualistic aspirations of every person as far as not for it to cause inconveniences to others — we call it a heaven for introverts who will find societal acceptance for every little quirks as long as it doesn’t intrude into others.
Back to the story, we hardly see people being turned back at metal detectors. Japanese (and many East Asians) strive to pass through that machine in...
Japanese culture puts an emphasis on respecting the individualistic aspirations of every person as far as not for it to cause inconveniences to others — we call it a heaven for introverts who will find societal acceptance for every little quirks as long as it doesn’t intrude into others.
Back to the story, we hardly see people being turned back at metal detectors. Japanese (and many East Asians) strive to pass through that machine in one go, and those who are held back for not following instructions (unless you are travelling for the first time) are often looked down upon for holding up other people.
And I think the whole society comes out better because of this discipline. Of course, this is not the only group of travellers that could produce quick turnarounds at metal detectors, but this is about how the East Asians could travel with such little fuss.
"[T]his was a flight to LaGuardia, which does have flights to Canada, but that’s it…"
This is Bermuda erasure and I simply won't stand for it!
Why are you singling out an airline when airport flight departure TV screens and gate agents do the same?
How many times have I been told my flight was “boarding” on the TV screens when it has not.
Aviation industry creates panic so you will move faster. Believe me, many people in airports have no sense of urgency.
Know the rules. If the gate closes 15 min. Before departure, then you get there 20 min. Before.
Simple Lucky.
I don’t think these announcements do any good. And agree, it all starts at the gate with everyone frantic to board and worried they won’t find space. I always marvel how in every other country boarding is fast and not chaotic.
Just another example of how replacing the majority of American's flight attendants is the only way to premium pivot the airline. Can't fix the culture without cutting the cruff.
I think this is coming. According to a source on AA’s exec team, we will see AA layoff between 30% to 34% of attendants in March or April of this year for cost-savings and to help with a new ‘culture’ push at the airline. Whatever ‘culture’ means to them….
Number of and size of bags are way too different if we go Japan or many other countries. Also the speed of people moving - here it takes 20+ minutes to disembark 737 whereas 5 minutes tops at many other countries. After all, FAs have no choice but do all that.
Unfortunately, yes because people seem to lose all track of thinking when boarding a plane. They seem to lose fact that there are still 100 plus people still waiting on the jet bridge while they stand in the aisle looking for or doing god knows what (really how hard is it find seat 32C and sit down) and that if the flight arrives late some connections won't be made. AA often sells a tight connection...
Unfortunately, yes because people seem to lose all track of thinking when boarding a plane. They seem to lose fact that there are still 100 plus people still waiting on the jet bridge while they stand in the aisle looking for or doing god knows what (really how hard is it find seat 32C and sit down) and that if the flight arrives late some connections won't be made. AA often sells a tight connection for a cheaper fare even with the warning but infrequent flyers have no idea of the risk of a 45-50 minute connection, particularly coming into a multi terminal/concourse airport like DFW, LAX or ATL. So, they take the cheapest option.
Do 34-minute connections at CLT rub you the wrong way?
Seems ridiculous that airlines can't figure out how to make boarding relatively sane. You get US airlines with 2 people managing a gate and a PA system that more times than not is worthless. Boarding in Europe often has more employees at the gate (the majority standing around doing nothing) than passengers. Seems like there's a happy medium somewhere. Want to make it quicker? Charge for overhead and make checking a bag free. Suddenly people...
Seems ridiculous that airlines can't figure out how to make boarding relatively sane. You get US airlines with 2 people managing a gate and a PA system that more times than not is worthless. Boarding in Europe often has more employees at the gate (the majority standing around doing nothing) than passengers. Seems like there's a happy medium somewhere. Want to make it quicker? Charge for overhead and make checking a bag free. Suddenly people won't feel the need to figure out where to jam their mini-fridge when they are group 7 and can't find space anywhere near their seat.
Airlines make boarding process a money-maker as well. There are all sorts of credit cards, elite statuses - those people tend to board first and settle closer to the front of the plane, while those who are in the back board last. At basic, it makes more sense let those in the back sooner so that front and back pax can be settling and taking their seats at the same time.
In general, US carriers - yes, Tim, even Delta - seem like they're constantly looking for ways to make flying as miserable and stressful as possible. An unending barrage of useless announcements, made-up quotas of carry-on bags, aggravating "boarding music," sitting around for an eternity before closing the door, and again after closing the door, and again after pushback...
As a good counterpoint, I remember once being on a KLC E195 out of somewhere in...
In general, US carriers - yes, Tim, even Delta - seem like they're constantly looking for ways to make flying as miserable and stressful as possible. An unending barrage of useless announcements, made-up quotas of carry-on bags, aggravating "boarding music," sitting around for an eternity before closing the door, and again after closing the door, and again after pushback...
As a good counterpoint, I remember once being on a KLC E195 out of somewhere in Britain, and they completely turned the plane - from door open to door close - in 29 minutes. Takeoff was less than 10 minutes after door close.
Regarding the international connections at LGA, I do see AA try and push LGA-JFK connections, especially on award tickets. Same goes for LHR-LGW and HND-NRT. I personally would never book it given how much of a disaster the Van Wyck is.
AirTrain to E Train to Q70 is pretty reliable
Not when you have bags
I make these same 'boarding' announcements to my kids in the morning when getting ready for school. Every parent knows the chaos... "we're leaving in 10 minutes (not that a 6-year old has any grasp of time), where's your backpack/water/socks?, you're gonna miss the bus, you're gonna be left behind, you're gonna get a tardy, etc." Does it work? NO tardys 3+ yrs!
Second to last paragraph...is Ben trying to get an involuntary lease in an Egyptian prison cell? First Cairo Airport then that paragraph :P
I'm with Ben on that one; CAI is the only airport I've ever felt like I may have to literally bribe my way into keeping my own personal electronics. Sheesh. Never-again.
You can join Ben in the same cell, ha ha. You can be right and still be in prison.
How? We're literally not going back there.
You seem to be defending Egypt; say hi to al-Sisi for us. We'll call you, all-sissy.
"you can be right and still be in prison [in Cairo]" does not sound like "defending Egypt"
betterbub, so, then, we all agree: Egypt is pretty corrupt.
It’s American.
I don’t experience the level of “order-barking” on Alaska or Delta.
The last time I boarded AA in Miami, in addition to the orders Ben heard in this article, we were also told that “PASSENGERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPEN OVERHEAD BINS THAT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAVE ALREADY CLOSED.”
It’s just asinine.
The most I hear on Alaska is “Once you reach your seat, please settle in quickly to expedite...
It’s American.
I don’t experience the level of “order-barking” on Alaska or Delta.
The last time I boarded AA in Miami, in addition to the orders Ben heard in this article, we were also told that “PASSENGERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OPEN OVERHEAD BINS THAT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HAVE ALREADY CLOSED.”
It’s just asinine.
The most I hear on Alaska is “Once you reach your seat, please settle in quickly to expedite the boarding process and ensure an on-time departure.”
AA sucks, from start to finish.
Having switched from UA to AA last year, I noticed that AA attracted a larger number of complete retards as passengers flying basic economy. AA order-barking is necessary to get those subhumans under control. I just ignore them since I know what I'm doing and I have an IQ well over refrigerator temperature.
AA’s culture is broken. That environment attracts and breeds trash. Not all FAs, but far too many of them.
I totally agree, this is an AA issue.
Well in Japan passengers think what they are doing, are prepared and consider others first. Instead of yelling I could think it could be beneficial to remind people to prepare to board. Like making sure what their seat number is, having all items they need available so they don’t have to stop to take then out from overhead bin bag. If travelling in group, organize yourself so that person by the window goes first etc....
Well in Japan passengers think what they are doing, are prepared and consider others first. Instead of yelling I could think it could be beneficial to remind people to prepare to board. Like making sure what their seat number is, having all items they need available so they don’t have to stop to take then out from overhead bin bag. If travelling in group, organize yourself so that person by the window goes first etc. If you have kids think where you are going to put them etc.
I think those announcements are totally fine. It sets the tone for the flight. Don't expect us to be nice and pleasant during the flight and don't ring the call button for anything...or else. And I agree, many American Airlines are just down right nasty. Especially if you fly out of JFK or PHL.
I think the same is true disembarking. I often hear FAs announce that passengers have tight connections and anyone who doesn't have a tight connection should stay seated and let those passengers off first. If someone with a tight connection is in a window seat, you must stand up and go into the aisle to let them out. Once this is done by a couple of rows of people, the aisle is as jammed up...
I think the same is true disembarking. I often hear FAs announce that passengers have tight connections and anyone who doesn't have a tight connection should stay seated and let those passengers off first. If someone with a tight connection is in a window seat, you must stand up and go into the aisle to let them out. Once this is done by a couple of rows of people, the aisle is as jammed up as if no announcement were made. And the passengers with tight connections feel they can push their way through the mob to get out. Even though it is well intentioned, is literally not possible to comply with this instruction, adds to the chaos and likely slows the disembarkation process.
They do that? That might be the stupidest idea I’ve ever heard!!
I've noticed this a lot flying into SFO, and most of the time we're getting to the gate on time or early! If we're at the gate early and these people still need to run out of the plane first to make their connection then maybe they should reconsider selling that pair of flights
Eh, we're all coming from one place trying to get to another place. No one's special. If your connection is tight, be responsible and book up front. Can't afford it? Give yourself more slack.
American FAs are angry, rude and probably have painful corns on their feet. Don’t expect them to be nice or courteous.
Then you’ll just “let it all wash over you” and (once your bag is safely in the overhead) enjoy a pleasant flight.
What an awful 'hot take'... (yOu DoN't HaVe To CoMmEnT oN eVeRy PoSt... /s)
Hi Wierdo. Gone outside in 5 days yet?
Yup. Cold as shit. Loved it. You?
Ignore him/her/it. They post on everything under the sun here and swing from reasonable to completely asinine. Too much time on its hands.