Monday, August 23, 2010

WWYD?

Say you’re traveling with another person, for business. Say you have more flight history, i.e., you have “priority access” for boarding. Say the person you’re traveling with is not “priority,” but (lowly) Group 4. Your assigned seats are across the aisle from each other.

How would you be inclined to handle the boarding process? Would you say, “Hey, I’ll hang with you; no need for me to board early.” Or would you say, “Hey, I’m up. See you there.”

You tell me yours. I'll tell you mine.

7 comments:

Cindy said...

I have to tell you, in my old world of corporate travel, I would board based on my priority group to ensure I had overhead bin storage for my computer bag. All of my co-workers did the same. We didn't view it as rude. We told each other to go for it.

Juleah said...

I would no doubt hang back with the person. Their comfort is way more important than me boarding earlier. Now if it is someone that has traveled a lot and is more familiar with the process I might board with my group, but I like hanging out until last minute anyways.

Jennifer said...

This exact scenario happened to me and my seester at Frankfurt Intl. airport 2001. She struggled with her choice, I insisted she go ahead, she didn't want to leave me behind. Miraculously, I was called to the window and ALSO got priority seating because as the ticket woman said "I von't separate seeters". We cried. The choice was no longer ours.

Connie Dooley said...

For so long, I traveled frequently and easily got used to priority treatment. Now that I don't travel as often, I'm in the Group 4 or even (horrors) Group 6. I was surprised when a colleague boarded without even saying "so solly" or even "See you in a few." I know part of it is having traveled with another colleague who wouldn't dream of leaving another unless there was dialogue like "no, seriously, go on," etc. Just made me think, that's all.

Jennifer said...

Sorry. I don't like your new colleague. Bob would have NEVER done that! ugh. and neither would YOU.

Sarah in Disturbia said...

Perhaps I'm missing the point but I don't see the advantage of boarding early if your seating is the same. I agree with Juleah, I would likely hang out with my colleague unless I had a good reason for taking advantage of the priority seating. If so, I would graciously explain and board early. If you're not physically impaired or traveling with children then you should just get over yourself anyway. Who the fuck cares?

Katy @ Eat Drink & Decorate said...

I'm all about boarding last. I've truthfully never understand the way they board planes. Why wouldn't you start at the back and come forwarded so that way me in group 6 isn't waiting for group 2 to get settled and out of my way so I can find the last seat on the plane. Makes no sense to me.