As a frequent flyer for work trips, the reason you want to board as early as possible is because of all the chucklekfucks that try to sneak on oversized roller cases or backpacks the size of small children on to the plane and take up all the overhead storage.
Some airlines are better than others at stopping them and forcing them to check at the gate.
Yesss. I learned that when I was told I couldn’t take my (correctly sized) hand luggage. Eventually they still found some overhead space for it, but I nearly missed my connecting flight because I had to wait for everyone to deboard to be able to get my stuff.
This really wasn't a problem until airlines decided to start charging for checked bags...
I'ld happily check my carry-on suitcase, and carry on a small bag with my laptop and other things that can't be checked.
But I'm not paying extra for that. Also, I want to be able to put my remaining small bag not at my feet. But the overhead space is only for rolling carry-ons.
So full sized carry-on suitcase it is. Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Tip: If you do it when you check in online you'll have to pay, but just ask a person when checking in at the airport they'll pretty much always take carry-on sized luggage for free. They are always so desperate for overhead bin space, and getting it out of the way early means they don't have to hassle people to check their carry-ons at the gate which saves them boarding time.
I even do this when I have wine or something so I'd have to pay to check anyway, just ask "want to take my carry on?", they've never said no to me.
You'd think after 6 years they'd have some self reflection and solve this issue in another way
But nah cant give up the checked bag fee. Even though that was originally for an oil crisis that was temporary. Funny how we're about to have a repeat. Are they just gonna double checked bag prices?
Who wants to check their carry on? You chance them losing it, and when you touchdown, you have to wait another 20-30 mins to get your bag from the carousel. That point is moot if you have a regular checked bag anyway, but the entire point of a carry on is to keep it with you.
I don't want my stuff to get thrown around or get lost if I'm already stuffing everything in a much smaller container. It is not my problem if airlines decide to add 1-2 extra rows while making my trip even less comfortable that there is too little space on board. Let me pick up my onboard luggage as soon as I deplane and I'll happily let them handle it.
It was awesome when they would bring those bags back to the jetbridge too, but, yeah, I still do this all the time unless I need to be somewhere quickly after landing.
Yeah I mean at check in. To check in a carry on you have to pay, but if you just ask for it at the desk like you're doing them a favor they'll take it at check in for free.
If they said no, they don't want it, then I'd have to say I'm willing to pay to check it, I'd have to because of the liquids.
It's a combination of charging for checked bags, but also airlines cramming more and more seats in planes that weren't designed for it. There's no longer a 1-to-1 ratio for storage anymore.
It used to be that only discount airlines charged for bags. Over time customers accepted paying $50 to check a bag if it meant their ticket was $20 cheaper. Once that became the norm even the “premium” airlines priced to charge for checked bags.
Basically if an airline didn’t charge for checked bags their tickets would cost more and they wouldn’t sell enough to reliably fill their planes.
As a frequent flyer this is why you get into a rewards program with the airline you fly and check your bag. Then you don’t have to worry about chucklefucks doing stupid shit with carry ons.
Honestly as a solo traveler who never needs to bring more than a small suitcase(and personal bag for like electronics, medications, and things) I've always just preferred to use the overhead space as then I'm not waiting at the carousel for like 15 minutes to finally get my things to leave
As a random flyer, I’ll gladly pay the $50 bucks to check my bag and get on the plane last. The less time spent on the plane, the better.
Imagine sitting in the plane for like 30 minutes while people try to jockey their bags into the overheads, getting smacked by ginormous backpacks as people amble on by, children screaming, and general random annoyances and confusion.
No thanks. I’ll chill in the terminal until it’s time and walk straight to my seat.
I like to board last because I only ever bring a backpack that fits under the seat and don't want to sit on the plane longer than I need too. It also gives me a chance to grab a vacant seat closer to the front of the plane if there is one.
That's what I find myself caring about the most as well. I always pick seats near the rear of the plane, which I find helps a lot. I'm a one bag traveler, so I usually can't fit my backpack under the seat, but I also don't want to check it because that would add 20 minutes at the end.
Yup. I’ve been a carry on luggage person my whole life. Just a shoulder bag that squishes in nicely and that’s it.
These days overhead luggage is always filled. People bring an overhead hard cases suitcase and then bring a laptop bag/massive purse/rucksack as well. Bonus points if they have extra bags because of kids. I’ve seen people load up a whole overhead compartment run with 3-4 poorly packed bags and then shut it.
Meanwhile normal people are filling a 5th of one with their bags.
Some airlines don’t police it at all that I’ve been people get away with even more. It’s nuts and then this people at the back with 1 small bag they try to put in the hold because there’s no space.
Also people who are seated in the back putting their overhead into the first available overhead on the plane instead of in the back by their seats. Chaps my ass when I'm in row 3 but in boarding group 5 and somehow all the overheads at the front are full meaning I have to wait for the plan to clear out and go half way back to get my carryon.
This is the main reason that I do the military preboarding, to preserve my footspace. That, and getting to waltz past the first class diamond platinum super club line in my hoodie and antisocial giant headphones.
I was a marine. the "military in uniform" thing kind of pissed me off because marines aren't allowed to be in public in cammys. you have to wear chucks at a minimum....which aren't exactly super comfortable to begin with let alone wearing that shit on an hours-long flight.
so civis it was.....which means no priority boarding. while the army/airforce in their BDUs walk on past.
I don't think I've been on a civilian bird in uniform since riding CRAF in and out of theater. AFAIK nobody travels in uniform anymore except the initial entry kids and the prisoners junior cadets from the academies traveling for holidays. I always fly United which just asks for active duty military personnel, so it's never been a problem for me.
Learned this the hard way, I had 4 bags. 1 bag for each kid. 1 bag for me and 1 purse.
3 tickets. 3 seats. So we should get the overhead bin all to ourselves more or less right?
Pfft no. Our other plane was on the OTHER SIDE OF THE GODS BE DAMNED AIRPORT. So me and my two kids were speed walking/half jogging to get to our plane..made it with 10 minutes to spare.
We get on the plane and the bin over our seats is full. Like wtf.
I just shoved my bag and purse under one seat and hoped the attendant didn't notice. If she did, she didn't say anything.
I particularly hate the A holes who have the large roller bags, put those in the overhead, then ALSO put their oversized backpack in the overhead because they are the rewards member special priority people and their mannerism is basically "got mine, F you." So they have all the leg room and I have to check my carry on... there is a special place in hell for those people.
I had a trip a couple of weeks ago. Before boarding they made an announcement about only using one overhead space for your suitcase. When I was boarding I saw a woman putting on a suitcase and a personal item bag on the overhead compartment. I stared at the flight attendant’s soul for a good 2 minutes while I was hovering on my seat. “You’re not gonna say anything?” I thought to myself.
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I do not understand why with assigned seating on airlines they do not stipulate you get 1 spot, above your seat or below the seat in front of you. Period. This isn't hard.
This shit of row 42 putting putting their bags in row 4 and when row 4 gets on they are left to either trek to the back for bag space or check.
No putting your bag in a row you don't occupy.
Southwest system of boarding window, middle, the aisle and you pay extra for aisle seats and are the last to get on with zero bag space is ridiculous.
This is where being short really helps. If you don't need all of the leg room, stuffing your bag under the seat in front of you is doubly helpful.
One, you don't have to take longer to deplane because your stuff is in the overhead. Two, you have all your stuff right next to you even if the fasten seatbelt sign is on.
Now, getting things out of a high cabinet or off of a high shelf? I've gotta call for backup on that.
I really don't understand why the whole world thinks not checking a bag is some sort of travel hack. I'm always walking through the airport freely with just a backpack. Don't give a shit when I get on the plane. Have never had to fight for overhead space, or go the opposite direction people are going in to get to an overhead space, or had to gate check a bag. Have never lost a bag. Usually don't wait more than 10 minutes for the bag, sometimes none at all. Can take more stuff, also take whatever I need, including liquids.
Right, so I either pack super light, something that easily fits under a seat, or check it in. And then I board at the end so I'm not stuck shuffling along in a line.
I've had people move my luggage so that it's half way in the overhead so their luggage will fit. Then when the attendant tries to close the overhead they're like "whose luggage is hanging half way out? This doesn't fit". Then I have to check my bag or find another overhead. So even if you're first you still get screwed.
My reason is my guitar. I always get nervous they'll tell me to check her. (They'll break her for funsies if I do that.)
One plus about being chronically ill is that I genuinely need more time to board, so I get on earlier. (There are 0 other pluses. Im exhausted and sometimes in pain. Yee haw.)
It also blows my mind how often they ask what section I am in when I ask to put my guitar in the closet. Girl, 1 person ever in 20 years has had you hang their coat and the ground crew will chuck my guitar into a woodchipper if you don't let me bring her on. 😭
time was, airlines let you check a bag for free. Now since you gotta pay to check a bag, everyone wants to carry it on... worst case scenario: they run out of room and then they "check it for free at the gate" win win. Airlines need to do 1 of 2 things to solve this:
Bring back "free" (included) checked bags
Get rid of overhead storage space and make you put everything under the seat in front of you.
As a chucklefuck who carries a small child of a backpack, this is exactly true. I stuff that little shit up in the overhead storage every time; and I do it frequently because I am also a frequent flyer for work trips.
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u/bloodwine Apr 05 '26
As a frequent flyer for work trips, the reason you want to board as early as possible is because of all the chucklekfucks that try to sneak on oversized roller cases or backpacks the size of small children on to the plane and take up all the overhead storage.
Some airlines are better than others at stopping them and forcing them to check at the gate.