passengers who board too late

[Larry_J]

I totally agree !! Suggest all airlines just cancel tickets if someone doesn't check-in on time. The same for no-shows !!
Larry

[Nieuwenhoven]

Why don't airlines give passengers, who board a plane too late because they were shopping taxfree or something like that, a very very big fine? That will save us a lot of delays I think!

[Ceppo]

I guess it would work but if you consider the competition airlines already face, it might not be such a good idea. If someone had to pay a fine, they might not fly with that airline again....loss of revenue. Do it 1000 times, that's a potential 1000 pax lost to another airline who don't fine (or have a cheaper fine)

[exeng]

Ignore please

[This message has been edited by exeng (edited August 27, 2000).]

[exeng]

Most of them have already checked in but fail to arrive at the gate on time. Very rude of them to say the least.

However our rules in the U.K require that the pax bag be offloaded if the pax does not travel with it. Finding the pax bag can be a tiresome and time-consuming process which often delays the aircraft longer than waiting for the errant pax.

As soon as we have a late boarder I instruct the dispatcher to start a search for the offending pax bag. If it is found quickly we have it removed and then depart. On occasions the bag is found and offloaded just as the errant pax arrives, he then boards and arrives at destination minus his bag. Hopefully that will make him think twice next time as he orders a last beer in the terminal.


Regards
Exeng

[traveler]

If it were up to me I'd leave him behind. He's probably mad as hell at the gate which indicates his intention to fly. Therefore I'd have no problem taking his bag along if it wasn't found yet. Maybe that'll teach him for about 4 or 5 flights. You think a train waits for me when I'm slightly late ? And he already paid for the ticket, its not like he won't take the next flight.(revenue) Of course this only applies when the check-in happened a while ago, so you know he's here somewhere.

[exeng]

Dear Traveler,

Your comment, <if it were up to me I'd leave him behind>.

Very understandable, but as I stated before our rules in the U.K. require that the pax bag be offloaded if the pax does not travel with it. I'm sure that is true in most countries also.


Regards
Exeng

[Flight_Attendant]

I am a flight attendant and I love captains who don't reload the bags ( after they have been off-loaded because no-show of passenger)but just leave them behind while the passenger, after all showed up! http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/grin.gif

[exeng]

Fines don't seem to be possible for late pax, but I also employ another technique for the offending people.

I wait until the pax are just about to enter the aircraft, (you can see them climbing the airstairs on the little B737 I fly)and then make a P.A. It goes something like this:-

"Ladies and Gentlemen, my apologies for the late departure of this service. The reason we are late is that a passenger, for reasons best known only to themselves, has failed to arrive at the gate in time. We are trying to locate the pax and as soon as we do we will be on our way. Oh I've just been told that the late pax has finally arrived and is now boarding the aircraft"

The Cabin crew tell me that the offending pax often appear mortified as they are greeted by jeers from the other pax. Apparently they tend to sit down and not a peep is heard from them again all flight!

It is true to say that in this case the offending pax will probably chose not to fly with my airline again. Well that pleases me as I would rather have 140 happy pax than 141 unhappy ones!


Regards
Exeng

[NWAINSFO]

In the US we have alot of hub-and-spoke flying. So if a passenger is late boarding an aircraft in a hub city (for my airline, Northwest, we have hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis and Memphis) it is most likely because of OUR delayed inbound flight.
If the passenger is flying domestically (within the USA) we do not offload their bag. There bag just goes without them. If the destination off the flight is outside of the US, we do offload the bag and take a delay if neccessary while locating that pax's bag.
No offense Exeng but that announcement seems rather rude, if you ask me and I know, I know you didn't. http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif Have you ever thought of what the other passengers might be thinking of you making that kind of announcement. Embarrassing that late passenger like that and then the other passengers remembering when they have been late before and would have hated it if their flight attendant had done that to them as they entered the aircraft. It just makes you look like a jerk, not the other way around. I am not trying to attack you, just trying to give you another perspective on the situation. Who knows why the pax was late (i.e. traffic on the freeway, flat tire, broken down subway train,
etc...)? I just think we should be more compassionate in our daily lives, especially while at work. We (flight attendants) get a bad enough rap through the media or the public's opinion about us.....
Sorry to rant on. I am not trying to attack anyone, just give another perspective on the subject. I am new to this forum and really enjoy it....Thanks, James in San Francisco

[traveler]

Exeng,
At AMS, as soon as a pax is late, the local police profilers are called. (marechaussee). They asses by a list of criteria whether he or she is a risk factor (and sign a form indicating so). If so; bags are offloaded right away (and checked). If not; it is up to the captain and his crew to take the bags or leave them. Pax's intention to fly is a factor in this decision. Regularly we take them, and if we don't they'll be send on the next flight (often without informing that crew). Also with this crappy baggage handling system bags frequently follow the pax later. Result is : most of the time I have no idea how many unaccompanied bags are on board my plane. Far from ideal, I agree. But is it really better at your airline/ country ? And if you answer yes, than tell me what happens to the bags you just had offloaded ?

[suthernbelle]

I think that airlines should stick to their own rules. At my airline, if a passenger is not on the airplane 20 minutes prior to departure, his or her seat becomes available to standbys or commuters. It makes me angry when gate agents are swayed by their sob stories and they are allowed to board, most of the time taking their original seat. Most of the time, the passenger spent too much time in the cocktail lounge. Then the passenger will get upset because there is no place to put their carryon luggage. Heaven forbid if we have to check it through to their final destination. A couple of times, my flight has been held waiting for someone. Is it right to delay 124 passengers for one passenger? Then, all during the flight, we have to hear "am I going to make my connection...will my luggage make it to the next plane, etc., etc." And of course, the passengers think it is our fault. Don't get me started!

[crosscheck]

Exeng...
Contrary to the opinion put forward by NWAINSFO I think that it's great that you make an announcement like that. TOO RIGHT!! Wandering roung T3 Duty Free or having one last drink in the bar is all too common. I think it's great that you embarrass the pax for THEIR delay rather than us down in Jerry Springer Class getting it in the neck for 10 hrs to LAX. It's nice to see f/deck on our side (hooray CRM!!!!) and I'm sure your crew are very grateful.
As for the practice of offloading bags I believe that it is the best way to do things. I certainly wouldn't be comfortable knowing that I had someones unaccompanied luggage in the hold that COULD (BIG could) go "tick tick tick booooom". Err to the side of caution I think.

Happy Landings and hours of crew rest to you all!

[exeng]

Dear crosscheck,

Thanks for your support. I have to say that as a general rule in life I try not to embarrass people. However it has been my experience over the years that late boarding pax have complete contempt for the rest of the 'on time' travelling public.

In the U.K. we are unable to depart if the late pax bags are on board and most pax are aware of this fact. So these ignorant folk find it quite acceptable to keep everyone else waiting while they have another 'one for the road'.

We are unable to carry out any official action to deter these ignorant folk. So I feel that causing them acute embarrassment is justified in this case. We may lose say 3 future pax but we are likely to retain the loyalty of the other 137.


Regards
Exeng

[This message has been edited by exeng (edited September 12, 2000).]

[suthernbelle]

http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/frown.gif Let's face it! People do not have, as we say in the southern U.S., "hometraining." That means that they do not have any manners. It's a "me, me, me" mentality out there and that's what we deal with everyday. Airlines cater to the "me, me, me" mentality by allowing late boarding. All the airlines are so hungry for money and to fill up the seats. Yes, I know it pays my salary and the salary of the big wigs. The big wigs at my airline are the highest paid of the entire airline industry.

If passengers didn't leave their common sense and good manners (if they possess such) at home, our jobs would be a whole lot more enjoyable and stress free.

[busty]

they should be kicked in the ass, have their bags thrown at them, and told to go f....ck themselves.
only cute ones should be allowed on board..
Merde alors!!...

[TexasChica]

dumb me. the other day we close the door, do the demo and we were still sitting at the gate waiting on something (who knows what). The next thing I know the agent is pulling the jetway back up and knocking to let someone on. Can you believe it? The FAR's state we have to do the WHOLE demo again. We had alot of employees commuting so we couldn't really chance it. We looked like idots. Lesson learned. No demos untill push back.

[suthernbelle]

Same thing happened to us the other day. An airplane full of people was held due to a delayed flight containing 15 passengers. It also shortened our layover which was already short anyway. Lack of rest - that's another topic.

So, let's say one of these inconvenienced passengers is on a airplane that is getting in late and asks if the connecting flight will be held, what are we supposed to say?

The airlines need to be consistent in enforcing policies and rules. That would solve 50 percent of the air rage problems.

[OpheliaGrnEyes]

But what if some of us really have a good reason to be late? What if we had a long drive to the airport and we got caught in heavy traffic and couldn't find a parking space at the airport? That happened to me on my way to an INTERVIEW; I RAN to the ticket counter a nervous wreck, and the ticket agent sort of chastised me by saying "do you realize your flight leaves in TEN MINUTES?? We ask that you arrive an hour ahead of time--ESPECIALLY for an INTERVIEW!" I was mortified. I was the last person to board and was miserable the entire flight to my interview location.

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/1036/cat_12.gif

[This message has been edited by OpheliaGrnEyes (edited September 28, 2000).]

[exeng]

Dear OpheliaGrnEyes,

You stated, <But what if some of us really have a good reason to be late?>

Of course I have some sympathy with your plight as all of us have at some time in the past been late, perhaps due to circumstances beyond our control.

However I don't believe it can ever be reasonable to delay an aircraft and all it's passengers for one late individual. In my airline if you turned up at the check-in 10 mins before departure you would not be accepted for the flight, simple as that I'm afraid. Of course your bags would not be on board so the aircraft would be able to leave on time.

The problem my airline has is when a passenger turns up late at the boarding gate having previously checked in, then we are not allowed by law to depart unless either the passenger boards or the passenger bag is removed.

I would also personally leave plenty of time to spare if going to an important job interview. 'Sod's Law' will always guarantee you a traffic jam on the one day in the year that you have to be on time.


Regards
Exeng

[Welcome_Aboard]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Verdana ">quote:<HR>Originally posted by OpheliaGrnEyes:
But what if some of us really have a good reason to be late? What if we had a long drive to the airport and we got caught in heavy traffic and couldn't find a parking space at the airport? That happened to me on my way to an INTERVIEW; I RAN to the ticket counter a nervous wreck, and the ticket agent sort of chastised me by saying "do you realize your flight leaves in TEN MINUTES?? We ask that you arrive an hour ahead of time--ESPECIALLY for an INTERVIEW!" I was mortified. I was the last person to board and was miserable the entire flight to my interview location. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well....how did the interview go? http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/smile.gif

[traveler]

OpheliaGrnEyes,
We feel for you here. But we were talking about those who've checked in at the check-in counter in the terminal over an hour ago, and subsequently arrive late at the gate. Their bags are on board. (probably).
O, I guess Exeng already pointed that out.

[LvMnflyboi]

TxasChica yea I learned right away, I never do the demo until pushback, that guarantees me the door won't reopen and the agent will put more pax on board. ;-)




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LvMnflyboi

[LvMnflyboi]

I had a captain once tell an agent we were gonna wait for the last 2 pax (because they had arrived at the other side of the airport in msp and their inbound was late), the agent who worked our flight was in training and she was told she has to close the door, the captain said we still have 4 minutes left according to the Acars (I was lead on the flight, and my watch was exactly to his) he told the agent he'll take the blame, she waited a moment and said again "she's being told she MUST close the door" The captain stepped off and said to her "I'm off the plane, now u can't close the door, and I'll take the blame. We have 1 minutes left and I'm not leaving anyone behind and I'll give the benefit of the doubt. At EXACTLY the time, he stepped up and closed the door. (She did NOT get the hint, he was in charge and we were not leaving anyone behind)The whole flight crew commended him...

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LvMnflyboi

[suthernbelle]

Hey, I am really sorry but there is no legitimate excuse for delaying a plane of 149 passengers with connections for one person. It may sound cruel, but is it fair to the 149 passengers who were able to make it on time? Perhaps some of these passengers may have international destinations and would have to sit around the airport for 24 hours until the next flight to their final destination.

You'll have to admit, that would not be fair.

[LvMnflyboi]

No you TOTALLY missed the point of what I wrote, we didn't hold the plane up for those 2 people. We closed the door EXACTLY ON TIME (down the second), but the agent wanted to close early and the captain was gonna wait til the exact moment of when the door was REALLY supposed to be shut. Agents are TOO quick to close the door early but this captain wasn't going to leave early since everyone wasn't onboard. He waited to the scheduled time of when the door is supposed to be shut, and we all thought he did an excellent job standing up to the agent and giving those 2 passengers the opportunity to make their connecting flight.


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LvMnflyboi

[suthernbelle]

Hey LvMnflyboi

I wasn't referring to you. I was talking to Green Eyes. I should have specified. Sorry for the confusion. http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/blush.gif
Yes, I agree that the agent tend to close the door too early. It is usually when your galley is torn up from catering or pre-departure drinks. I applaud the captain who made it impossible for the agent to shut the door. The agents want the paxs out of their hair. I don't blame them. But please, don't give them to us until we really need to take them! http://www.crewstart.com/ubb/images/icons/shocked.gif

[This message has been edited by suthernbelle (edited October 01, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by suthernbelle (edited October 01, 2000).]