Plane Boarding Currently "Inefficient"

[Scunner]

You don't say

The most common way of boarding passenger planes is among the least efficient, tests have shown.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14717695

The three given methods actually miss out the most common one at Dalaman - the total free for all where boarding is announced and there is no boarding by row numbers or anything of the sort - everyone for themselves leading to total chaos and queueing.

[booo]

I know Im biased but I think that if you have an infant with you then you should be able to board after those in wheelchairs.

[tinkerman]

Ive never seen a plane loaded in seven minutes wherever I was? and less than four minutes in a real loading has got to be impossible.

[Rimms]

quote:Originally posted by booo

I know Im biased but I think that if you have an infant with you then you should be able to board after those in wheelchairs.

Booo,

I'm sorry but I totally disagree, I don't understand why a lot of people with small children feel that is their right to walk to the front of a queue, board planes before everyone else and not have to stand in line at theme parks etc.

I have had 3 children and never felt that the privilege afforded me some divine right for special treatment. I'm a great believer in first come, first served.

And don't get me started on the wheelchairs at Dalaman saga where you see perfectly able bodied people who were last off the dance floor in Scarlet's all of a sudden loose the use of their legs at the airport !

Rant Over !

[booo]

I travel by myself with my baby daughter and I get there early but you get pushed and shoved out of the way trying to fold a pushchair. It would be easier for other passengers too as I end up bashing people with my changing bag trying to struggle carrying everything by myself.
Okay fair enough, not to the front but a bit of kindness and helpfulness from people wouldnt go amiss.
Not talking about theme parks etc just a bit of help at the airport, then the cabin crew have a chance to help you put bags away, fasten infant seatbelt etc before hordes of passengers pile in

[peecee]

we've all had children and had to cope with travelling with them.  I used to travel with 3 children (all under 5) by myself.
I'm sure if you ask someone for help they'll gladly do it.

[Scunner]

I agree with booo - I remember having two infants, hand luggage and trying to get on, get straight and get sat down out of your way! Forget your jealousy of us getting a head start and remember that if we are to board in the middle of everyone else, it's possibly you that's going to have to stand backed up in those horrible hot glass walkways waiting to board. So it's not just to help us, it's to help everyone else just as much. I still try it on when they call passengers with small children and they are nearly 11!!!

Agreed on the wheelchair users - of course there are those who need one but take a mental note of them as they wheel through Dalaman then look for them at the baggage reclaim, standing then pulling their suitcase off the carousel with ease - it's a miracle!

[booo]

quote:Originally posted by peecee

we've all had children and had to cope with travelling with them.  I used to travel with 3 children (all under 5) by myself.
I'm sure if you ask someone for help they'll gladly do it.

I had to stand on the Dolmus 2 days ago clutching my daughter while a bus full of English people pretended they couldnt see us. Thank god there was a kind couple at the very front who gave us a seat and made a show out of the fact that other people hadnt offered  
I know you can travel with them without help, but if there was a way to make it easier I am sure you would have appreciated it

[tinkerman]

Wouldn't it be better for the people with children to wait til last, the children then actually spend less time on the plane and the plane can take off as soon as they have boarded and you wouldn't be holding everybody up.

[Scunner]

Yes you are quite possibly right - in fact getting on last is the best option for boarding a plane. Getting a seat in row 1 or 2 and waiting till everyone has gone through the gate is by far the best way   Giving families the last few rows and sending them on first would also work, and the bonus is they can all kick the back of each other's seat but both options need a better seat allocation system as it appears to be entirely random at check in.