The boarding process is no one’s favorite part of a trip. First there’s the tension of “will we actually start boarding or will there be a problem?” Then there’s the crush of people who always jam the gate area, regardless of their boarding priority.
Once travelers finally make it into the Jetway and onto the plane, there’s the inevitable backup while people stash, or as the case may be, try to stash their stuff in overhead bins.
Some clients reported this week, however, that Virgin America is using a different method of boarding to avoid the normal aisle backup.
Virgin America does the usual First Class and “Main Cabin Select” first boarding, followed by passengers needing special assistance or traveling with small children.
The next category was the interesting and unique one – “Passengers without carry-on bags.” Apparently a handbag or something small was allowed. But nothing is permitted that would need to go overhead. Which mean, that those people could quickly board, without slowing anyone up behind them.
It’s an interesting concept. Virgin America does not allow free checked luggage. However they do allow up to 10 (yes, 10!) bags to be checked for $20 each. In essence, passengers who want to take advantage of the earlier boarding would need to check even a small bag.
Such a “priority for no bags” policy may put an added burden on gate agents to enforce it. As anyone knows who has seen a traveler try to explain that some piece of luggage, large enough to hold a fully-grown Great Dane, is really a purse or laptop bag.
But on the other hand, the policy may make life easier for flight attendants and boarding passengers, since it could clear congestion, ease crankiness in the aisle and may reduce disagreements over overhead space. (We’ll still have to deal with folks who forget their row number, or just don’t pay attention as they slide into the wrong seat.)
What do you think? Would this policy make you change your carry-on habits? Or, have you been on another airline lately with a particularly good, or bad, boarding policy?
(Photo: Virgin America interior by Joits on Flickr/Creative Commons.)
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
