Advance seat selection Status differences.

[cmon0005]

Re: ~5

I have been in row 7 or 8 in economy on a 737 and it is clearly at least 5 minutes slower than row 4 or 5. Sure no big deal in the grand scheme of things but I do like to get off as soon as possible

Secondly do this every week and then you will understand....

I certainly agree on this... especially when people try and take rediculous amounts of carry-on with them, that really gets on my nerves!

 

[straitman]

Re: ~5

I certainly agree on this... especially when people try and take rediculous amounts of carry-on with them, that really gets on my nerves!

.... and if anyone thinks it is bad here then they better believe that the USA is a nightmare.

 

[pauly7]

Getting off is quicker, next time your on a 767 mark down the time it takes for getting off at the front of whY to the last whY passenger,
cheers

Ryan

Agree with you but I actually think it takes longer for a 737! God I hate single aisle aircraft.

I also find the 'louder' pax and families get stashed down the back, which is great as I'm up the front

 

[pauly7]

Re: ~5

I certainly agree on this... especially when people try and take rediculous amounts of carry-on with them, that really gets on my nerves!

I was really encouraged by something I saw on the weekend.

Was seated in row 6 (bummer I know ).

Some guy walked in, threw his two bags over row 4 and then proceeded to keep walking down to the back of the bus.

A QF attendant saw, went after him and politely asked him to store his bags in the vicinity of his own seat so as to allow others to do the same. He was a bit taken aback but apologized and moved his bags. Really great that they are picking up on it - one of my pet hates!

I gave the QF attendant good feedback on it, and am about to send an email to customer service as well

 

[nlagalle]

Re: ~5

A QF attendant saw, went after him and politely asked him to store his bags in the vicinity of his own seat so as to allow others to do the same. He was a bit taken aback but apologized and moved his bags. Really great that they are picking up on it - one of my pet hates!

One of my pet hates too.. I have lost count of the times i have arrived at the emergency exit on the 767, being the first one there to find someone else's bags there! GGRRR..

 

[Sprucegoose]

I don’t understand why so many people on this forum place such huge empahsis on what row they are sitting in. If you are flying Economy, what difference does it make? What is the difference between row 30 and row 39? You will exit the aircraft a whole 1 minute earlier perhaps... They are both economy seats – the same size, same seat pitch etc.
The only real benefit for top tier members flying in economy is the increased chance of having the seat next to you blocked out. If the flight is full, how is sitting 1 or 2 rows behind business class going to make any difference what so ever to your flying experience? Is sitting in row 24 on a full 767 verses row 39 going to make the flight any more comfortable?

Nick,

Most of us are busy and need to be on the road sooner than later. These things are also invariably status driven, additionally. Front is better than anywhere else (80A 380???)

I dont know your status level, regardless, it would be safe to say as you work your way up these issues become more acute and important.

In seating terms per se, no difference.

Happy landings

SPRUCE

 

[Sprucegoose]

Agree with you but I actually think it takes longer for a 737! God I hate single aisle aircraft.

I also find the 'louder' pax and families get stashed down the back, which is great as I'm up the front

Not always the case i am afraid.

However, I did see an indiginous chap once in PER however denied boarding because he had forgotten his shoes!!!

 

[Ewing]

I also find the 'louder' pax and families get stashed down the back, which is great as I'm up the front

Travelled with family yesterday.

2A, 2C, 2D, 2F (737, in J).

Families aren't always down the back

But yes you're right. The people that go on their yearly holiday flight will frequently have zero status (or be a NB, thanks to Everyday Rewards) and they'll usually find themselves at the back of the bus thanks to Altea.

As for the OP, I also noticed a huge difference when going up to SG as long as it's before T-80 (mainly Y; no real change on the 737 J services) and will probably notice the same when I hit WP in a month or two.

 

[JohnK]

Re: ~5

I was really encouraged by something I saw on the weekend.

Was seated in row 6 (bummer I know ).

Some guy walked in, threw his two bags over row 4 and then proceeded to keep walking down to the back of the bus.

Similar type of story but decided not to do anything about it. Boarded my flight BNE-SYD and I was in 4C and the guy on front me struggled to put 2 bags in the overhead locker. I thought he must have been in 4B but he kept walking down to row 8 or 9 and sat down. I could not be bothered arguing with him or calling an FA and just put my laptop bag down under the seat in front where 4B wold have been sitting.

Why are people so selfish? Now this moron was going to hold up all the people behind him when disembarking to retrieve his stuff from the overhead locker above row 4.

 

[samh004]

Re: ~5

Similar type of story but decided not to do anything about it. Boarded my flight BNE-SYD and I was in 4C and the guy on front me struggled to put 2 bags in the overhead locker. I thought he must have been in 4B but he kept walking down to row 8 or 9 and sat down. I could not be bothered arguing with him or calling an FA and just put my laptop bag down under the seat in front where 4B wold have been sitting.

Why are people so selfish? Now this moron was going to hold up all the people behind him when disembarking to retrieve his stuff from the overhead locker above row 4.

I’d have just shoved his things out of the way to put whatever I had with me in. Reminds me of the time someone decided to take up a big spot on a locker with a jacket/scarf thing, and I just put my bag on top, so they asked for me to give it to them instead.

 

[JetLagged]

I dont know your status level, regardless, it would be safe to say as you work your way up these issues become more acute and important. SPRUCE

Actually, Spruce, there are some of us who have made it to WP and don't rush to be off the plane quickly - we've waited for the impatient onces to rush bye and then depart in unhurried state. If 1-2 minutes is all that of a vital issue, maybe get an earlier plane? OK, I know that in many cases this is impossible, but really: by the time you either collect your bags or get to a taxi or anything of the sort, a more relaxed departure will ensure lower blood pressure and better karma!

 

[djfuzz]

Re: ~5

Similar type of story but decided not to do anything about it. Boarded my flight BNE-SYD and I was in 4C and the guy on front me struggled to put 2 bags in the overhead locker. I thought he must have been in 4B but he kept walking down to row 8 or 9 and sat down. I could not be bothered arguing with him or calling an FA and just put my laptop bag down under the seat in front where 4B wold have been sitting.

Why are people so selfish? Now this moron was going to hold up all the people behind him when disembarking to retrieve his stuff from the overhead locker above row 4.

I always get (metaphorically) yelled at when I point out FFs' selfishness, JohnK.

OT, speaking of which, I was in 2A on a 738 a few days ago, last on the bus. Naturally, no space available overhead. Wandered down to Y looking for somewhere to stash my rollaboard until one of the FAs 'found' some room in J by moving one of their bags elsewhere. Selfishness aside, sometimes it seems like 738s just don't have sufficient overhead capacity for even two per row.

So on topic, I feel that status and advance seat selection towards the front (and priority boarding especially, which they really need to do something about) do make a difference for me on single aisle aircraft.

I’d have just shoved his things out of the way to put whatever I had with me in. Reminds me of the time someone decided to take up a big spot on a locker with a jacket/scarf thing, and I just put my bag on top, so they asked for me to give it to them instead.

I do this with the provided blanket and pillows all the time before takeoff, but only in J, and only on flights where available storage room shouldn't be an issue (ie widebody flights). Having said that, it bugs me no end when people assume that because your blanket and pillow is in the overhead storage that it's fair game for the taking for extra padding, without even bothering to ask the person who's sitting under it and whose bags are next to it, whether it might be theirs or if they would mind. Last time we flew QF J international, both of our blankets/pillows were taken from our (own) storage bins by people who decided they wanted extra footrests, and we were just lucky enough to scrimp the few that were left on an unoccupied seat.

 

[Svenc]

Nothing wrong with the back rows - after all, planes dont reverse into mountains as they say.
My question - I am only turning Silver this week - have been Gold before but stopped most flying for a couple of years due to all work being local. Now I am travelling again. I am tall at 6'5" and really need the Exit Row legroom. I dont mind seeing other tall people get them if I dont, but I cringe when I see petite females are small guys sitting at them - especially the older 737s where the exit must be physically lifted out and discarded externally. I doubt they could manage the 25kg manouver in. Is there any way to get an Exit Row preference?

 

[dk4]

Re: ~5

Why are people so selfish? Now this moron was going to hold up all the people behind him when disembarking to retrieve his stuff from the overhead locker above row 4.

I believe there are a number of travel guides that suggest this in their "top ten tips" sections. i.e. board the aircraft and place your bags in the overhead bin, several rows aft of your seat, for easy retrieval as you disembark.

But try flying on a service where the forward and rear doors are used for exiting (when you have specifically allocated a rear seat to get off quickly) and some twit seated behind/next to you has placed their bags forward of their seat allocation, and has to fight the flow of deplaning traffic to retrieve them. ARRGGHHH

 

[straitman]

I really like the (US based) story I read a while ago where a passenger in Bus/First had no space to stow his bags. He asked around and nobody in the forward cabin claimed ownership og the bags above his seat so he removed them and placed his own in the overhead bins. He then called the FA and ask for the stray bags to be checked in as there was no room for them, passivly implying they were his. On disembarking he left the baggage tags for the stray bags on the seat for the owner.

 

[samh004]

Re: ~5

But try flying on a service where the forward and rear doors are used for exiting (when you have specifically allocated a rear seat to get off quickly) and some twit seated behind/next to you has placed their bags forward of their seat allocation, and has to fight the flow of deplaning traffic to retrieve them. ARRGGHHH

Assuming I’m in the aisle along with everyone else, and assuming I don’t want to be held up, I’d say no. They can sit and wait out the coughpy choice till the aisle is clear. Slightly different if the FA moved their bags, but then the FA should be retrieving them.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Actually, Spruce, there are some of us who have made it to WP and don't rush to be off the plane quickly - we've waited for the impatient onces to rush bye and then depart in unhurried state. If 1-2 minutes is all that of a vital issue, maybe get an earlier plane? OK, I know that in many cases this is impossible, but really: by the time you either collect your bags or get to a taxi or anything of the sort, a more relaxed departure will ensure lower blood pressure and better karma!

Kama and BP are fine thanks Jetlagged (contradiction?). Rarely check luggage and always have a driver waiting. Getting an earlier flight is not the answer, fine tuning the current one is.

'Kama' - (interest travel concept even as a seperate topic) as you describe is planning and knowledge, getting from A to B in the most efficient manner. I have waited for up to 10 minutes for others to get off a flight, not the 1-2 minutes!!

 

[medhead]

Re: ~5

Actually, Spruce, there are some of us who have made it to WP and don't rush to be off the plane quickly - we've waited for the impatient onces to rush bye and then depart in unhurried state. If 1-2 minutes is all that of a vital issue, maybe get an earlier plane? OK, I know that in many cases this is impossible, but really: by the time you either collect your bags or get to a taxi or anything of the sort, a more relaxed departure will ensure lower blood pressure and better karma!

Well in my experience flying into SYD the quick i can get off the aircraft the quick i can catch the earlier train and the quick i can get to work. A few rows is literally at least a 3 to 5 minute difference. Ohh and no need to wait for checked luggage when I carry everything with me. Ohh and I'm still to find a flight before 6 am from ADL to SYD, but would appreciate benefiting from your superior knowledge....

OT, speaking of which, I was in 2A on a 738 a few days ago, last on the bus. Naturally, no space available overhead. Wandered down to Y looking for somewhere to stash my rollaboard until one of the FAs 'found' some room in J by moving one of their bags elsewhere. Selfishness aside, sometimes it seems like 738s just don't have sufficient overhead capacity for even two per row.

The problem that I have with luggage in overhead lockers is those people who are so selfish they can't put they cough in there in the most efficient way. They lay down a little laptop carry case and then put their jacket on top and that takes the footprint of a much larger bag. how hard is it to put your laptop case in to take the least amount of space. looks like i'll just have to do the bag on top trick next time.

 

[Nick85]

Hey guys,
Well, sorry if I have annoyed some people with my comments regarding seat allocation. I suppose I am slightly frustrated with some of the complete tools I see flying on Qantas with their “status”. I’m not suggesting anyone on this forum is one of these ignorant passengers though.
I am currently Gold and have absolutely no chance of making Platinum anytime soon. I truly value some of the perks associated with status, particularly priority check in for international flights, priority/business bag tags (when they actually work), Qantas Club (when you can get a seat), international business lounges etc.... As for seat allocation, I’m not so certain. On a packed flight I would absolutely prefer a seat up the front. However, the very second I get the chance, I move up the back of the plane should it not be too full to snag an empty row.
I couldn’t believe it recently on a return trip from BNE-DRW on half full 767’s. All the super important frequent flyers squashed up in the front rows and sat there for the entire flights, even though the rear was not even half full. I was allocated seat 20 something on both flights, but during boarding, upon realising that the flight was half full, I moved straight up the back and enjoyed 2 seats to myself, on the window side for both flights. Meanwhile, the men in suits up the front remained in their seats, next to complete strangers and without the extra room....
Anyway, back to status. I am slightly frustrated with the Qantas FF program. My work does not pay for Business Class, only discount Economy and occasionally full economy. I fly approximately once every 2 weeks, on average. I would regard this as being a “frequent flyer” (yes, I know, some people like my colleague fly more than once per week..). In my last frequent flyer year, I easily made Gold, but didn’t even get close to Platinum.
Sure, those who spend more should be entitled in an increased status credit earn rate, but what about those who also travel regularly in economy? For instance, if a brand new member joined the program, booked a return Business Class trip SYD-LHR, and a return discount economy trip SYD-MEL (thus meeting the 4 Qantas segments) , they would reach Silver and be well on the way to Gold. How is this “frequent flying” – its four flights in a whole year....??
It should be easier for those of us, stuck in discount economy who actually fly “frequently”, to attain some status. In 2004, I flew a total of 13 flights with United Airlines and was only 1500 miles short of attaining their next tier level. Chances are, United Mileage Plus has probably changed by now (I don’t think they have the minimum 1000 mile guarantee for flights under 1000 miles anymore?) but the point is, United recognised that I was a “frequent flyer”. If I had flown the equivalent segments on Qantas, I would not have even been close to Silver.
I’m not bagging out Qantas here, I love flying with Qantas but they place too much emphasis on their premium passengers.

 

[JohnK]

Anyway, back to status. I am slightly frustrated with the Qantas FF program. My work does not pay for Business Class, only discount Economy and occasionally full economy. I fly approximately once every 2 weeks, on average. I would regard this as being a “frequent flyer” (yes, I know, some people like my colleague fly more than once per week..). In my last frequent flyer year, I easily made Gold, but didn’t even get close to Platinum.

How about those of us commuting weekly who have to pay for their own airfares? I do about 40 return trips SYD-BNE (fully self-funded) on absolute deep discount airfares. I also do 1-4 trips a year to Thailand but use creative routings eg instead of SYD-BKK return I will go SYD-MEL-SIN-HKG-TPE-HKG-BKK. Some call it the real long way with unnecessary flights. By the way this is not that much more expensive than a simple SYD-BKK return which would net 60 measly SCs.

If you want status don't expect someone (eg work) to hand it to you on a plate. Work at it and pay for some extra (possibly unncessary) flights. And yes there will be people with status who are not "true" frequent flyers but that is part of life. There are also people who believe those on deep discount airfares should not be able to earn status. Who cares what they think?

How bad do you want to have Platinum status?