Travel etiquette

[JessicaTam]

Having everything in your bag also gives you two choices at the other side.

1) Grab your bag and walk off quickly if the explosives check person is occupied.
2) Casually grab your wallet/keys/etc out of your bag and put them back in your pocket if they're not.

OT Sometimes I play the 'avoid the explosives check' game, but resign myself to it if tagged. All up about 15 seconds if I put my bag down, unzipped, and hold out my arms to be swabbed while the attendant is still asking if I have had this before. Then while the machine is thinking I take the time to secure my bag so I can just walk off when it goes green.

/OT Perhaps instead of the T&Cs being 'ticked' as read when booking, the flight etiquette list can be 'ticked' as read instead!

 

[Foreigner]

OT Sometimes I play the 'avoid the explosives check' game, but resign myself to it if tagged. All up about 15 seconds if I put my bag down, unzipped, and hold out my arms to be swabbed while the attendant is still asking if I have had this before.

Unzip the bag?

 

[JessicaTam]

Unzip the bag?

Sometimes they ask to take a swipe inside the main section of my (small) backpack.

 

[jgm]

Stand back from the carousel when collecting luggage. It is most annoying having to elbow other pax standing right up against the carousel waiting for their bags to appear. If everyone would stand back and only approach when their bags appear it would make things easier for all.

 

[Chief Wiggum]

NOTE: I'm not yelling at the fine folk reading this here on AFF... but after last two weeks of Xmas travels (MEL/ADE/MEL/BNE/CNS/SYD/MEL) I'm venting at all the 1D10TS who sadly will never read it... But I see Super Mums with family of three in tow (four if you count Dad) who are super organised and ready... so I know it CAN be done.

One of my biggest etiquette peaves when travelling is people who are not prepared. BE PREPARED. By "prepared" I mean those people who stand in a queue for many many minutes and only when they get to the front do they go "Oh.. so now I have to get out my laptop/liquids/keys/take off my belt/shoes etc etc etc... When everyone else has already prepared themselves and are ready to go. And then we find out they are wearing more jewellery than Liberace, and then we have to go seven rounds with the screening staff who say "you need to take that off please... and that... and that... yes that too... no mam' it ALL has to come off to through the screening point... " said with a "kill-me-now" look on the poor security persons face.

Same thing extends to when boarding the plane. They walk down the aisle, find their seat and then go "Oh... so what do I need with me in my seat... oh yeah, my book.. now where is that.. (reaching into cavernous carry-on bag) searching searching.. finds book.. now I need my glasses too... now those are in my other bag..." ARRRRGGGHHH !!! :evil:

Meanwhile the rest of the humans have to stand there and wait for them to organise themselves.... PLAN AHEAD PEOPLE... KNOW what you want with you on the plane. HAVE IT READY and out BEFORE you even get NEAR the boarding gate. This INCLUDES having your boarding pass ready too people. Then walk down to your seat, throw your bag up into the overhead, take your seat and GET OUT OF THE AISLE. If I see you putting your bag on the seat and stop to get stuff out... I will be punching you in the face (sorry Nana.. even if it's you )

Same extends to deplaning. We've been in the air for at least 1-3 hours people. We had to "prepare the cabin for landing" at least 20 mins out from landing. Then we landed. Then we taxied. Then we arrived at the gate. Then the doors were open and then all the people at the front of the plane have started to leave. So WHY WHY WHY do you wait until it's your turn to leave to "gather up all your s**t" and re-pack it into your bags and hold up the rest of the plane. Grab your stuff, and your bags and GET OFF THE PLANE.. it's NOT a hotel with extended checkout time.

Is probably one of my favourite things about coming here, learning about JASA seats and/or accquring status to get front seats... is not having to deal with the unorganised deplaning crazies.

Granted it's always MUCH worse at this time of year when the airports and planes are full of once-a-year holiday travellers.

 

[DC3]

I also only ever fly business/first on US domestic flights. But I have still had AA weigh my carry-on in First at MIA several times.

Yes, and it's 40 pounds/18 kg for carry-on on AA.

 

[DC3]

Sometimes they ask to take a swipe inside the main section of my (small) backpack.

Same here. Always asked to open the carry-on for the swab.

 

[JessicaTam]

NOTE: I'm not yelling at the fine folk reading this here on AFF... but after last two weeks of Xmas travels (MEL/ADE/MEL/BNE/CNS/SYD/MEL) I'm venting at all the 1D10TS who sadly will never read it... But I see Super Mums with family of three in tow (four if you count Dad) who are super organised and ready... so I know it CAN be done.

One of my biggest etiquette peaves when travelling is people who are not prepared. BE PREPARED. By "prepared" I mean those people who stand in a queue for many many minutes and only when they get to the front do they go "Oh.. so now I have to get out my laptop/liquids/keys/take off my belt/shoes etc etc etc... When everyone else has already prepared themselves and are ready to go. And then we find out they are wearing more jewellery than Liberace, and then we have to go seven rounds with the screening staff who say "you need to take that off please... and that... and that... yes that too... no mam' it ALL has to come off to through the screening point... " said with a "kill-me-now" look on the poor security persons face.

Same thing extends to when boarding the plane. They walk down the aisle, find their seat and then go "Oh... so what do I need with me in my seat... oh yeah, my book.. now where is that.. (reaching into cavernous carry-on bag) searching searching.. finds book.. now I need my glasses too... now those are in my other bag..." ARRRRGGGHHH !!! :evil:

Meanwhile the rest of the humans have to stand there and wait for them to organise themselves.... PLAN AHEAD PEOPLE... KNOW what you want with you on the plane. HAVE IT READY and out BEFORE you even get NEAR the boarding gate. This INCLUDES having your boarding pass ready too people. Then walk down to your seat, throw your bag up into the overhead, take your seat and GET OUT OF THE AISLE. If I see you putting your bag on the seat and stop to get stuff out... I will be punching you in the face (sorry Nana.. even if it's you )

Same extends to deplaning. We've been in the air for at least 1-3 hours people. We had to "prepare the cabin for landing" at least 20 mins out from landing. Then we landed. Then we taxied. Then we arrived at the gate. Then the doors were open and then all the people at the front of the plane have started to leave. So WHY WHY WHY do you wait until it's your turn to leave to "gather up all your s**t" and re-pack it into your bags and hold up the rest of the plane. Grab your stuff, and your bags and GET OFF THE PLANE.. it's NOT a hotel with extended checkout time.

Is probably one of my favourite things about coming here, learning about JASA seats and/or accquring status to get front seats... is not having to deal with the unorganised deplaning crazies.

Granted it's always MUCH worse at this time of year when the airports and planes are full of once-a-year holiday travellers.

Well said, (apart from punching nana that is).

 

[Grooba]

OT Sometimes I play the 'avoid the explosives check' game, but resign myself to it if tagged. All up about 15 seconds if I put my bag down, unzipped, and hold out my arms to be swabbed while the attendant is still asking if I have had this before. Then while the machine is thinking I take the time to secure my bag so I can just walk off when it goes green.

/OT Perhaps instead of the T&Cs being 'ticked' as read when booking, the flight etiquette list can be 'ticked' as read instead!

Pretty much same here JT

Domestically, I used to try and avoid the explosive checks but now I use them to my advantage (well not really an advantage but in my mind I'm "winning" ).

As I approach the security I'll generally have my ipod playing some music so I'll remove that, pop it, along with my wallet/keys/whatever else into my backpack. Then remove my laptop and belt and slide them through the scanner. As I pass through the x-ray I'll glance to see where the security officer is at and what he is up to. If he/she is standing there and I can see I'm going to be targeted I literally pick all my stuff up and walk straight over to their screening desk. They will then do their thing and I'll do mine (laptop away, belt on, phone back out and earphones in, wallet in pocket, etc) and generally by the time their results are in, I'm also good to go.

 

[DC3]

... As I approach the security I'll generally have my ipod playing some music so I'll remove that, pop it, along with my wallet/keys/whatever else into my backpack ...

Agree with this. If only more passengers would do the same and place "everything" into their carry-on well before arriving at security, instead of fussing about once they get to the x-ray machine. Belt, i-phone, keys, wallet, wrist watch, etc, etc, - all into their carry-on in advance. Speeds things up no end.

 

[DrA]

Yes, and it's 40 pounds/18 kg for carry-on on AA.

Seriously? Why do they even bother then? I travel with a laptop backpack. There's no way that thing could hold more than about 10 kg at most - even with a laptop and rock samples in it. I could understand them wanting to weigh people's large roll-aboard bags, but a relatively small backpack in First?

Meh.

 

[JessicaTam]

Agree with this. If only more passengers would do the same and place "everything" into their carry-on well before arriving at security, instead of fussing about once they get to the x-ray machine. Belt, i-phone, keys, wallet, wrist watch, etc, etc, - all into their carry-on in advance. Speeds things up no end.

If there is someone in front of me who seems to be taking a long time to get everything out and into the trays, I will just pick up my stuff and walk around them to be processed. Assuming there is a fair space between them and the person in front of them, of course.

 

[DrA]

Another thing to add to the list from yesterday's flight...

Don't attack the cabin crew for not having [insert special meal here] onboard if you never actually put the meal request in to the airline in the first place. It isn't like they carry extra special meals as a matter of course, so if you don't like what's on offer, that isn't the cabin crew's fault. And don't look at me like I'm the devil and ask if "we can swap" because I planned ahead and ordered a special meal. I have allergies, the answer will always be a resounding "hell no".

I think this applies to any special request when flying though. The airlines and cabin crew are not mindreaders. If you need something, they need to know in advance. It is no good telling them for the first time an hour before departure at check-in, or when you're 38000 ft in the air.

 

[prozac]

You've been away on a 5 day business trip but you are traveling light. You only have 2 pair of socks including the pair you were wearing when you left home and you made do with just the one pair of shoes. Now you have settled in for the flight home and you kick off your shoes. The smell, no stench, races across the aisle and nearly knocks me out. I don't give a big rats cough if you are flying in J, have some consideration for other travelers and leave your d**n shoes on.

I had 2 of these types on the one 9 hour flight KUL-SYD recently. Urghhhhhhh!

 

[drewbles]

Having everything in your bag also gives you two choices at the other side.

1) Grab your bag and walk off quickly if the explosives check person is occupied.
2) Casually grab your wallet/keys/etc out of your bag and put them back in your pocket if they're not.

I tried 2) in PER the other day, and at least 3 people walked past me and were not pulled over (the scanner was standing there doing nothing) and they pulled me over. I actually had a go at them a little bit saying they were meant to get the next 'cab off the rank' so to speak and they responded with "oh it's totally random sir".

I can't recall where I saw it, but I was under the belief it was meant to be the next person walking past after they'd finished the previous scan?

 

[Powerballsam]

I have flown 4 times in the last 3 years and every time I am "randomly selected" for the explosive scan. I guess I belong to the wrong ethnic background.

 

[drewbles]

I have flown 4 times in the last 3 years and every time I am "randomly selected" for the explosive scan. I guess I belong to the wrong ethnic background.

Welcome to AFF Powerballsam.

I'm very much so Caucasian and I seem to get it around 80% of the time too. I'm actually more surprised when I do not get pulled up.

As much as I hate the nude-o-scopes in use in the USA (and select AU airport international terminals), I tend to find my US travels are far more expeditious than AU ones. Go figure!

 

[DrA]

Welcome to AFF Powerballsam.

I'm very much so Caucasian and I seem to get it around 80% of the time too. I'm actually more surprised when I do not get pulled up.

As much as I hate the nude-o-scopes in use in the USA (and select AU airport international terminals), I tend to find my US travels are far more expeditious than AU ones. Go figure!

Agreed. I am very much white and blonde (naturally) and I get pulled up for an explosives check probably 8 or 9 times out of 10. Even when they have been busy testing someone else, I've been called to stop and wait - only at PER international though. Which makes me wonder if they have a certain quota to meet each day?

 

[flyingfan]

One of my biggest etiquette peaves when travelling is people who are not prepared. BE PREPARED. By "prepared" I mean those people who stand in a queue for many many minutes and only when they get to the front do they go "Oh.. so now I have to get out my laptop/liquids/keys/take off my belt/shoes etc etc etc... When everyone else has already prepared themselves and are ready to go. And then we find out they are wearing more jewellery than Liberace, and then we have to go seven rounds with the screening staff who say "you need to take that off please... and that... and that... yes that too... no mam' it ALL has to come off to through the screening point... " said with a "kill-me-now" look on the poor security persons face.

Agree with this. If only more passengers would do the same and place "everything" into their carry-on well before arriving at security, instead of fussing about once they get to the x-ray machine. Belt, i-phone, keys, wallet, wrist watch, etc, etc, - all into their carry-on in advance. Speeds things up no end.

Argh, these all annoy me too which fortunately doesn’t happen too often. I’m ready before I join the queue – I chuck all my pocket contents into my carryon before queuing up, so I can just pop the bag onto the belt, walk through and pick the bag up. What I don’t do is spend 15 minutes in front of the metal detector emptying my pockets one by one, adjusting my bag, etc.

Same thing extends to when boarding the plane. They walk down the aisle, find their seat and then go "Oh... so what do I need with me in my seat... oh yeah, my book.. now where is that.. (reaching into cavernous carry-on bag) searching searching.. finds book.. now I need my glasses too... now those are in my other bag..." ARRRRGGGHHH !!!

Indeed – I don’t care what you need to organise or which novels or headphones or jackets you want to grab from your bag but don't do it on my time. Ffossicking around for them when passengers are banked up behind is just inconsiderate.

Sometimes they ask to take a swipe inside the main section of my (small) backpack.

They always want to swab inside my bag IME but don’t seem too fussy — if there are two compartments and I unzip just one, they’ll do just that one.

Agreed. I am very much white and blonde (naturally) and I get pulled up for an explosives check probably 8 or 9 times out of 10. Even when they have been busy testing someone else, I've been called to stop and wait - only at PER international though. Which makes me wonder if they have a certain quota to meet each day?

It appears to me they have a quota. They’re marking figures down on their notebook and it’s as though they have to swab say 180 passengers on their shift. At times as soon as they’re done with one they’ll pick the next one that comes through. It would not be difficult to time your ‘bag rearrangement’ post x-ray to have someone tie them up and then sail past unmolested.

 

[Foreigner]

Agreed. I am very much white and blonde (naturally) and I get pulled up for an explosives check probably 8 or 9 times out of 10. Even when they have been busy testing someone else, I've been called to stop and wait - only at PER international though. Which makes me wonder if they have a certain quota to meet each day?

Sounds like drivers pulled over for RBT