Should I Board Or Not?

February 3, 2010

in Airport Stories

So, this was my first time flying alone internationally to India without anyone. I was excited to have that experience without my parents, especially since they ask tooo many questions such as the gate, the flight time, etc.

My experience started at Detroit with a very rude spokesperson for Northwest. I had no idea that they would starting boarding 30 minutes earlier than the ticket had said. I asked the guy at the Northwest checking desk if they had started to board since people were lining up and there was still an hour and forty five minutes for the plane to take off. Here’s the response I received: “Can’t you see people standing here??” Well, helloo, there was no announcement first of all and no flight number on the ticket. Was I suppose to predict that this flight was going internationally or just wait in line for 30 minutes to find out that it was?

Well, the story doesn’t end there…  my next stop was to Amsterdam. Like I said, my first time flying. On my next flight KLM had also started boarding. This was well before two and a half hours before the actual departure time! I thought I had prepared myself for the hour and 45 minute time before departure. I didn’t want to go through “please excuse me”or “let me pass by” or “oh sorry, I didn’t mean to slam in to you.” Boy was I wrong, because I had just thought of going to the restroom before that. By the time I came back, I see this long line of people had started to board… so I thought of waiting it out… WRONG IDEA !!! The line just kept getting longer and longer and longer… I had to wait an hour and a half before I could finally get to the security check point. I swear I thought this plane was going to go down since I had never seen so many people board a plane.

I just wished on international flights they would let the people on the back board first since you don’t have to push your way in all the way towards the back only to find out that you don’t have a space in the overhead bin to put your bag in, so you have to walk all the way to the front with your bags until the flight attendant finds a space to put it…

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

tdf February 4, 2010 at 7:23 am

Maybe you should have paid attention when your parents were asking all those questions.

Reply

AsianFlyer February 4, 2010 at 8:38 am

I would be thrilled they are boarding early! Sweet luck you had, not hell.

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Me February 4, 2010 at 2:33 pm

Maybe she should have had her parents with her, being an unaccompanied minor isn't always fun.

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Random February 5, 2010 at 1:03 am

Being an unaccompanied minor generally involves the airline taking you through the entire trip. I've flown unaccompanied minor to and from the US to India -is diplobrat- when I was under 15, and have never had a problem.

I'd assume that the OP wasn't flying unaccompanied minor if they had to wait in the lines and go through security by themself.

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crella February 4, 2010 at 6:46 pm

Now you know why your parents ask questions 😀

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haha February 4, 2010 at 6:50 pm

well helloo!

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Teddy February 8, 2010 at 6:45 am

Sorry to hear about your predicament, but most airlines utilize a "zone" boarding system, where people board based on seating. As far as I know, Northwest Airlines is the only airline that boards first class/elite members, then everyone else. I'm sure you know this though

Reply

Anonymous January 2, 2011 at 10:07 am

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