“Well, perhaps we should let the other passengers actually get off of the plane first. Good idea, yeah?”

I am not kidding even slightly when I say that I have had gate agents asking me if I am ready to board before the arriving passengers have even picked up their pink tagged bags! They expect us to deplane, clean and board before we even have a chance to go to the bathroom. Okay, boo hoo, right!

Starting December 1st, Comair’s new policy will be that boarding will begin at 25 minutes versus 20 minutes.  Really, who cares? It’s only 5 minutes. Personally, I wish that they would board my First Class cabin at 25 minutes and then send the rest of the passengers 5-10 minutes after that. If gives me a chance to hang their coats and offer a beverage.

The problem is that when we are running late to begin with or have been going all day and could really use that lousy 5 minutes, the gate agents may use the new policy against us. How much time do you really need to board an aircraft that holds anywhere fro 50 to 78 people? I can have that plane filled in 10 minutes unless I get one of those that cannot figure how to put away the 23 things that they just had to have on an hour flight.

What amount of time do you feel is reasonable to load a regional jet?

_

The pricing ranges from $4.95 for a flight that is only up to 1.5 hours, $9.95 for flights from 1.5 hours-3.0 hours and $12.95 for a flight over 3 hours. Other options include 24 hours for $12.95 and two monthly passes. $39.95 as a one time deal and then save $5 for a cost of $34.95 if you make it automatically renewable.

What’s so great about this anyway? Can’t a person just wait until they get to their destination? Let’s discuss it…

I remember one particular flight where we were going to go to Las Vegas but didn’t get on because there weren’t any more seats left for us. I saw a flight to San Francisco across the hall and they had seats. The only possible problem is that we had never been there and the flight didn’t get in until after 10pm. So, from the airplane, I was able to check out the area and find a hotel!

What if you have a bid deal in the works and have no idea what’s going on? The company has some questions that they want answered immediately and you’re at least two hours from the office! Hop online and make the deal happen all while flying at 35,000!

I guess that you say that I’m all for it. Cellphones on the other hand? No thank you! I don’t mind typing but having to verbally hear your conversation or 76 peoples conversations….

As I look around, I am completely and utterly amazed at what I see.

One woman struggles with her things as she barely makes it down the narrow aisle past others already seated. It is as if she has packed her entire closet to being with her, leaving no occasion to chance. I already know where she is going, however, I wonder for how long. A month?

Another man, while not sharing her exctement for more is better still struggles in his own way. It’s as if he wasn’t taught the alphabet or perhaps cannot count. with all due respect folks, the airlines do not skip 13 and they don’t count by two’s. Take a quick second to see what number the coach rows start with (either 1, 5 or 10 and sometimes even 20 but don’t ask me why) and count from there. 1, 2, 3, 4, you get the picture. Even the little ones can do it, so I have faith you can too. 

One of my favorites are the aisle seat passengers that get on first, strap in the seat belts and whip out the office as if no one will come to sit in the one or two other seats. This man just in front of me, with visible discord, slaps his computer shut and gathers his paperwork as if the woman soon sitting in the window seat has just interrupted an important meeting. It gets even better yet. After she manages to get her closet put away, Mr. 12C  sits down and once again secures his seatbelt and reopens for business. Until…. 

I truly believe that unless you are traveling together, the window seat should be boarded first, from back to front, then the middle seat and finally the aisle. Airlines should charge for any large carry on’s and give one free checked bag for everyone’s closet up to a certain weight (with additional allowance for each child in tow). Seriously, wouldn’t it save a lot of trouble. The flight attendant is going to have to check someones bag anyway once the overheads are full and that takes even more time where a delay could happen causing a missed flight and even more money to be given out. Just a thought.

The flight attendant walks down the aisle with a smile on her face as she verifies the paperwork, a child is still laughing and squealing a few rows ahead and the middle seat next to me is open. Life is good. 

This does not mean that ANY piece regardless of size will be allowed on board though. The size requirements are still in place and each piece of passenger luggage must be able to fit securely beneath the seat in front of them or in an overhead bid. The 50 seat CRJ200 will remain the same with all rolling bags being plane side valeted. 

As a flight attendant and fellow traveler, I ask that you please place the smaller items at your feet so that as many passengers as possible will be able to use the overhead bins. In fact, if you are either not in a hurry or have a longer layover at the next city, perhaps you can still valet your bag so that anyone in a hurry can simply get off and run. This is only a suggestion that I ask you take in consideration as if you were the one in a hurry. *wink*

Do you have any suggestions on how to improve the baggage policy?

With the loss of concourse C, came our transition to concourse A, which was a whole lot easier for everyone. Finally, I only had to walk from the front of the airport and travel one train stop to get to my check in area! Then, concourse A was gone and it was off to concourse B. This of course made it easier yet for everyone. Aside from the fact that the check in point is at one end and I usually depart from the other end (!), it’s still nice to be in just one hallway. Of course, I WANT my Mexican place back! 360 burrito is not the best (except for breakfast) and is never open when I want them to be. I digress…

I have wondered why the airport commission spent so much money reconstructing Terminal 3, with the security checkpoint being on the same level as ticketing, if most of the Terminal is empty. And, why is most of terminal 3 empty. And, why is Terminal 1 and 2 pretty much like a ghost town as well. And,…..

Finally, I actually found out a few days ago (so sorry I didn’t share) that USAir, United and American at least would be moving in to Concourse B. The fences are up and work underway. People have been walking through the area since we were still in it, so I have known for a while that something was going on. Anything will be better than the crickets that had literally taken over Peets old space.

The renovations and final move will not take place until at least the Summer of next year and will more importantly to me take some of the financial burden of Delta, who has been responsible for rent on the the entire terminal up to now.

I still have to wonder what will become of Concourse C and the furry inhabitants that have moved in?

1. Fear. If it’s a short flight then grabbing a nap could be easier if  you weren’t afraid that you would miss your destination. We will wake you, however, I’m pretty sure that the landing gear will do that for us. So, sit back and let yourself relax.

2.  Window Seat. Sit by the window. That way you can lean against the wall. Just make sure that you go to the bathroom before you settle in if that’s a concern. If you are not at a window or the window is set too far forward or back and there’s no one next to you, grab a blanket and ball it up against the armrest forward just enough to lean against. Trust me, it works!

3. Clothing Choice. Make sure that you wear comfortable clothing. Sure, we want to look good and as a flight attendant, I appreciate it if you come to my “office” in decent attire. Some of the things we see however….um, no! No pajamas and no club wear necessary. You can wear or bring a comfy t-shirt and lose fitting pants or shorts. Personally, I like a good flowing, at least knee level, dress for travel and SOCKS for the plane. I cannot tell you how many ladies (and men) cry that their feet are cold and they are wearing sandals!

4. Overseas. Are you traveling overseas or eastbound? When I travel to Europe, I have dinner and possibly ONE glass of wine, watch a movie and try to go to sleep! Then, when you wake up, voila, you are there and ready to go. Wake up, have some breakfast and freshen up. Be careful with the alcohol because it may make you fell sleepy but it’s not a true sleep and you  don’t want to wake up to your vacation with a hangover! The altitude makes each drink like at least two!

5. Relax. Finally, if you absolutely cannot sleep on the plane, here’s a trick that I use when I have an early morning report. If you absolutely make yourself relax, close your eyes and do nothing. If your mind wanders to all of the things that you need to do, stop! Daydream of something great and don’t let yourself open your eyes if you can help it. I was pleasantly surprised the first time that I tried to this to find that I felt rested the next day.

  Smart gal getting some sleep on the way to a conference!

<a href=”http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wiflfofobl-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B003UAZTI0 “>   This thing to the left is actually quite nice I have been told. It bends to fit your needs so you can use it however you are trying to rest your head. I have seen some other crazy things in the the Delta Sky Mall Magazine that I wouldn’t be caught dead with, and another option is the blow up kind that fit nicely in your bag.

I have also brought a good old fashioned pillow! Especially overseas! Trust me when I say any funny looks you get are pure jealousy because they didn’t think of it and you will be oh so comfy mid way through that flight when the others are having trouble sleeping!

Happy flying!