Southwest Airlines took to social media to congratulate passengers who stay seated until it’s their row’s turn to deplane. By implication they’re criticizing those who stand up immediately once the plane pulls into the gate and the captain turns off the seat belt sign. This strikes me as misguided.
— Jeremy Danner (@Jeremy_Danner) December 2, 2022
It may seem more ‘civilized’ to wait patiently in your seat, rather than everyone rushing into the aisles. However,
- If everyone waits to get up, it takes longer to deplane the aircraft. That’s because when you get up in the aisle, you remove your bags from the overhead bin. Each passenger not getting their bag until the row ahead has gotten up means several extra seconds per passenger to deplane. It takes longer to turn an aircraft that way, leading to delays – bad for passengers, and especially bad for the airline which needs to schedule longer sit times and winds up with less efficient aircraft utilization and higher costs.
- When you’re in a coach seat on a several hours-long flight (remember – Southwest flies transcons and to Hawaii!) it’s totally reasonable to stand up and get out of that seat as quickly as possible. Why be forced to sit any longer than necessary?
- If the passenger in the aisle gets up, then the passenger in the middle has more space – something they’ve been denied throughout the flight. It’s rude to keep the middle seat passenger hemmed when they don’t have to be.
It was a common early pandemic procedure for some airlines to instruct passengers to remain seated and stand only by row, so that fewer people would be taking items out of overhead bins at once, in order to reduce congestion in the aisles. That meant more time on the plane on most airlines when the engines and APU were off, which meant (depending on aircraft) that HEPA air filtration wasn’t occurring. And in the case of many European airlines it meant waiting longer on the plane in order to crowd into buses after arriving at a hard stand.
There’s no real obligation to cram into the aisles immediately (though try to make room for the passenger in the middle seat to stretch out). But it’s not reasonable to criticize passengers for getting up to stretch, and to get their carry on bags down in order to deplane efficiently.
I am not in agreement with any sentiment that encourages passengers to immediately jump out of their seats and cram the aisles with their bodies and luggage when that magic “ding” is heard, indicating it´s time to deplane. I find it VERY amusing to watch the “herd mentality” jump into action when that “ding” is heard. I have the impression that people think they are going to win a prize if they are the first to jump out of their seat and then have to stand in the aisle for some 5 minutes or more as there is always a significant delay waiting for the exit door to open. I don´t see any need to RUSH and clog the aisle. I find it somewhat ridiculous to see multiple passengers who sat in window or middle seats bent over in weird contortions waiting for the opportunity to deplane. I believe it is far more civilized and courteous to simply sit and wait until the row ahead has cleared, and then there is space to get up and take your overhead luggage.
If necessary you could reenter your row to pack your belongings and allow other passengers who need to rush off the plane to do so. There should be great encouragement to bring more civility to air travel, even if it means a few extra minutes in deplaning. We are not talking about emergency situations – just the normal operations.
I am okay with people standing when a plane gets to the gate. What I am not okay with is people pushing their way forward before the deplane process gets to their row. Instructions should be given so the new flyers understand how the deplaning process is meant to work.
Funny how from time to time on some flights almost no one gets up at the ding. No real pattern, other than maybe more off times, leisure travelers.
Standing up, especially without getting in the aisle, does not harm anyone nor does it block or impede. That should not bother people on a stopped plane when the seat belt lights are off. Also, years ago, flight attendants would announce that some people had short connections and ask passengers to let them out first. I have not heard that request for courtesy for many years. I exit by row and end up making a dash (sometimes between terminals connecting on the same airline). I have had an airline employee see me running early in the morning in a near empty terminal, ask my name/flight destination, and tell me I didn’t need to run the rest of the way because the waiting plane knew I had arrived and was waiting for me. The employee walked with me the rest of the way. That reduced my stress levels.
Thank you, Gary. People who remove their bags from the overhead compartments right away are the courteous ones. People who stay seated and only attempt to get their belongings when the previous row has cleared cause needless delays.
On almost every flight when I’m in coach, I stand there assuming people are going to walk, but instead they start removing bags that they could have retrieved 10 minutes earlier. It’s astonishing how long people take to exit a plane in the USA.
As someone who had several close connections to make just this month, I specifically noticed that those who stayed seated until it was their turn took MUCH longer to deplane, for the reasons that others state – they have to get up (if they even notice it’s their turn), find their bags in the overhead, get them down, gather their stuff, check their seat, and then leave. All while the rest of the plane waits.
In my view, if you want to stay seated and take your time getting off the plane, that’s fine — as long as you wait until everyone else has deplaned first. Otherwise, it’s a courtesy to prepare as much as you can so you can be prepared to walk out when it’s your turn.
Seth, I agree with you. Some people even stand up in the aisle and do not retrieve their bags till person in front of the leaves,,,that is annoying..They do not plan ahead and act like no one else is behind them esp if some people need to get to a tight connection…OTL people–Out To Lunch!!!
Gary.
Sometimes, I wonder, how the subject matter, ends up online.
However, this one, is way out in left field.
Deplaning an airplane, is part of the flying experience. And, everyone who boards, must exit the airplane. It takes time. The bigger the airplane, the longer to deplane.
People sit on flights, up to 16+ hours. My last flight from DOHA to MIA, was 15++. And, IMO, it’s foolish and unreasonable, for anyone, to unbuckle the seatbelt, until the Captain, turns off the seatbelt sign. And what makes it worse, is people who not only jump up, but rush to get ahead, closer to the door. It’s very childish.
It reminds me, of the apartment complex I lived in China. My apartment was on the 12th floor. Many times, the elevator would be full. At every floor, people would jamb into the elevator, and overload it. Which resulted in, a broken elevator frequently.
Further, when the, full to capacity elevator, reached the ground floor, immediately after the door would open, people would start to force themselves, into the elevator, BEFORE anyone got out. And, many times, they would have groceries and pull carts, or luggage. It was comical, the first time. But, only the first time. Obviously, people pushing themselves on a full elevator, caused problems, and even fights. Imagine a young, pregnant woman with a small baby experiencing this?
The ONLY time, anyone should want to deplane quickly, if they had a tight timeline, to catch a flight. The airlines, have manifests, and know if this situation exists. They can and should, make an announcement, allowing the few involved, to deplane first, before First and Business Class. It won’t take 1 or 2 minutes at best.
Common sense, makes sense!
I use a wheelchair at the airport, because of my severe Arthritis. Many flights, tell me, I have to wait, until everyone has deplaned because I use the wheelchair. If anyone thinks they are entitled to jump up and push to get closer to the door, I suggest you, take a wheelchair, one time, especially on the airlines that has this policy.
Stop your bitching. Relax, and follow FAA regulations. You are not entitled! You are just another body, a number, out of hundreds to exit the airplane. Behave, and get in line, when it’s your turn! Or, use a wheelchair!!
Just got back from business trip to Brazil. Had several domestic Brazil flights on LATAM, Azul. On every single flight No one gets up until it is the turn for their row. Makes for a less chaotic and more civilized deplaning process. Of course Americans, with their entitlement-oriented herd mentality, would never understand it.
This is outrageous. I won’t STAND for this!!!
Gary – agree completely. When I’m in an aisle seat in coach I always get up as soon as the “ding” goes off and stand in the aisle. Oftentimes I won’t take my carry on out of the overhead so as not to block space for others to stand but I do open the door and have my hand on the carry on to remove it as quickly as possible.
Regarding the guy wearing the shirt – why does he think it is best to remaining seated. Not like you harm anyone standing up and, as you noted, it allows the middle seat to slide over, have more space and better prepare to deplane.
As someone noted, the things that bug me are either people taking forever to deplane (sitting until end then slowly gathering items and removing carry on bags) or those that want to shove past you in the aisle. While I fully understand if the plane is very late and people have tight connections (where the FA usually makes an announcement to remain seated and allow those with connections to leave first) I’ve had many flights that were on time (or basically on time) where people try to shove past you to get to the front of the plane. One other item that ticks me off is those that board later and have to put their bags a number of rows behind where they are seated. I’m fine with them asking someone to pass them forward but those that shove past me in the wrong direction to get a bag behind them then shove forward to reclaim the “spot” next to their seat have a special place in hell.
DFWSteve.
I am American. You dare put a nationality, where they all do the same thing? That’s like saying, all Italians are Mafia.
Foolish. WRONG. I respect ALL FAA. Rules. Read my earlier post. Respect individuals, not ethnic groups.
With a post name of DFWSTEVE, it would suggest, you may be from the DFW area.
This won’t get regulated and anyone including Southwest that weighs into the discussion deserve criticism. How people get off the plane is as unique as how they get on.
It is indeed smart for the person on the aisle to get up and open the overhead bin where their stuff is to confirm it is there – but not to start unloaded the overhead bins esp. with rollerboards.
There are people that end up having to store their belongings behind them and it makes sense for them to get up quickly, try to get their items including a rollerboard to their row, and ask for someone to pass it forward – which I universally have found people willing to do.
By pulling backpacks or small items and placing them on the aisle seat, you are able to store all of the small items and make sure nothing has been left behind – and allow people in the middle and window seats space to do the same.
Everyone will see things differently but there is good reason for the aisle seat passenger to get up, unpack small items but not put rollerboards into the aisle other than when they are behind you.
This is an absurd discussion. Why would anyone choose to sit in their seat one second longer than they have to? Seems like just another power/control play by flight attendants. It’s the people who try to push everyone else out of the way that are the problem. And that kind of ignorance and rudeness cannot be stopped. I’m lucky to be 6′ tall and do not hesitate to use an elbow if someone tries to push past me.
Well, if seats and overall flight experience would be more comfortable maybe people would remain seated longer
Btw, the picture is a great illustration what’s wrong with our society – pointless and misguided feelgood activism eagerly supported by power players but only when it fits them. I wonder if Jeremy Danner had a Tshirt asking to stop using single use toiletries in hotels
Tim Dunn.
Many times, overhead bins are used for passengers sitting back in the airplane. This is asinine. Then, when the pax who have seats below those bins, arrives at the aisle, where their seats are, their overhead bin, is full, and they are forced to put theirs, back in the airplane, which causes serious problems for them, to go against the grain, to get their luggage.
I blame this on the flight attendants, who have nothing to do, when pax get on the plane. They should monitor it, and not allow the fools, who have seats in the back of the airplane, and are in the habit, of putting their luggage, in overhead bins, towards the front of the airplane.
If you want to stand, STAND…they work for you, not the other way around.
Huey Judy.
What’s absurd, is to think, just because the airplane has landed, FAA regulations, do not allow unbuckling your seatbelt, until the Captain turns the seatbelt sign off.
No one chooses, to sit longer. It’s not your choice.
Providing you, at 6′, abide by FAA regulations, and get your luggage, like everyone else, then you have done what you can.
I am 6’5″, disabled, and follow the rules. I concur with you, about using your elbows, when the situation presents itself. Rude people, should be taught, how to play nice. If they attempt to push you or anyone, it’s okay to, “fight fire with fire”, aka “GIVE THEM AN ELBOW”. It has served me well, on a few occasions.
In Mexico we do it five rows at a time. It’s a very civilized and rapid way to deplane.
I have had both knees replaced and almost always upgrade my seat and get up to walk once or twice down the aisle during the flight.
That being said, I still want to get up as soon as the pilot dings the the seat belt sign off. My legs need to stretch and if that upsets you then screw you. Mind your own friggin’ business and I refuse to follow the herd mentality of remaining seated until my row comes up.
“I am American. You dare put a nationality, where they all do the same thing? That’s like saying, all Italians are Mafia.” Actually being Italian has nothing to do with being in the Mafia since it originated in the old Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Brigandage was a popular sport down in Naples (team Camorra) and Palermo (team Cosa Nostra) for centuries before they franchised the sport to America. The American Italian Anti-Defamation League could have told you that, but the Jewish Anti-Defamation League sued for appropriation of the ADL’s name so the Italian group relinquished the name and eventually dissolved. Now the message has to be delivered in person.
I disagree. I was on a flight once where for some reason people willing went out row by row, and it was the quickest, most efficient deplaning that I’ve ever witnessed. I wish that would become the rule, or at least the norm.
As many have said – Faster deplaning when 1/3 of the row has already pulled their bag from the overhead. Probably what SWA was trying to communicated is to the stupids who try to run down the aisle(s) which are clogged within 10 seconds of the “parked” ding. The greyhound crowd needs to be educated. (5 million commercial flight miles since 1984).
In 2015, I had two massive Pulmonary Embolism’s. Put on Eliquis, and instructed whenever possible do not sit for longer than two hours. Now I am always in an aisle seat to walk the cabin, and stand up as soon as possible after landing to reduce the possibility of another P/E. I do not try to move anywhere or retrieve bags until the row in front has emptied. And I am ready to depart, so as not to delay others waiting to deplane.
You save none if any time by jumping up in a rush & grabbing overhead bin items. Why is it so hard to follow the rules without complaining? There is a reason for not having everyone jump out of their seat at once. They’re not trying to make one’s life difficult. Really.
It’s about time. People need to learn patience and kind. But we know that is asking too much
Normally, I will be in one of the first couple of rows in domestic F and will stand up as soon as the landing bridge connects, grab my bag from the overhead and get off quickly. When in the back, well, all kinds of things happen back there. It’s a mess.
I’m glad everyone digs my shirt.
John.
Well said. With or without medical conditions, everyone should follow your “post” advice. It would make for a pleasant deplaning experience, for everyone.
Personally I think they need to start raising the cost of flying again and get these Greyhound bus passengers back on the bus. There is absolutely no etiquette/courtesy these days… It’s all about me me me mentality.
Gary,
I agree with your spot on article. The hell with respect and decorum (what’s a decorum right?).
Next time you enter a plane put your bags in first class/business overhead right above Gary’s seat. Then, You want to get up out of your seat before your the aircraft rolls to the gate , just before the “ding” , then run to the overhead by Gary’s aisle seat where you put your bag and wait there for the door to open to deplane. Hey it’s a 16+ hour flight and you sat in the middle seat. The hell with the airline protocols and Gary Leff’s First Class ticket. It’s a free world and everyone is created equal or your a bigot. Welcome to China airlines.
If the airlines truly wanted passengers to deplane more quickly, they would allow people to deplane from both the front and the rear of the aircraft. — But then again, that makes too much sense.
I always get a window seat and o always stand right when the seatbelt sign turn off because it takes me *forever* to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind or accidentally drop something under my seat and i use the time other people are deplaning to check that stuff. It is no bother to anyone if I’m standing or sitting, if I’m being patient about actually exiting my aisle.
Anyone who believes it’s faster to deplane the aircraft by waiting until your row is called is not a regular flyer. After flying tens of millions of miles and into150 countries in my humble opinion it is faster when people stand up adjust their personal belongings, repack their handbags and prepare to deplane before it’s their turn to move forward. If they wait until their row is called and then do all those things it’s simply takes longer to deplane the entire aircraft. I’m not advocating people being discourteous or pushing or shoving but it’s ridiculous to sit and wait until your row is called.
As someone who flies over 100 flights a year, people that get up and have their butt in my face is my second biggest pet peeve next to the people that try to push by you. I had a lady shove by me last month in Santa Ana telling me she had to make a connection, which I knew wasn’t true, only to see her at baggage claim. Standing up is fine, standing in the aisle forcing others to stare at your butt or have their bag in your face, isn’t. I am almost always in an aisle seat, and I do get up, grab my bag and put my belongings in it, but I never make others have to deal with my body parts or backpack in their face. Honestly, pre-covid this wasn’t nearly as bad as it is now.
If the planes landed on time the deplaning process would flow much better. Not to mention the amount of luggage allowed on the planes.
I fly SWA often. I have never experienced a disorderly rush on deplaning. Yes most stand if they can and retrieve their over head bags. Bring taller than most, I assist with bag retrieval. When our row is up, we are ready to roll. Very civilized. How is standing after the ding not?
I’m 6’6”. If I’m in coach, the simple act of standing up relieves my beleaguered knees after any flight longer than 90 minutes. I don’t push—I merely unfold. I can see NO WAY that this makes deplaning either longer or faster. If this standing offends some people’s sensibilities, frankly, I don’t care.
So yes, I will stand in the aisle.
If I’m in Business or First, I’ll stay seated.
see… in 7 hours of comments, there is absolutely no consensus as to the behavior that people should follow. and, despite what some have said, there are no rules.
A small number of flight attendants do tell people to take their bag to overheads in their own area of the plane unless they are already closed and full – I have seen it.
But bags are not the real problem. Human behavior is and, more specifically, the inability for some to accept that other people don’t think like you.
Sounds like most of the rest of western society.
SW is full of crap plain and simple as most of your intelligent viewers have pointed out.
To add – I have never had a problem of worrying about when to get up when I fly private.
That is always the option for those that get bent out of shape w/ the way the deplaning process works.
Having been hit by people taking down luggage because there is no room to get it down due to everyone standing up, getting hit with backpacks because people want to turn and talk or wrangle kids when they stand up, and having my face by everyone’s crotch and butt…. I’m all for people chilling out and waiting.
A few extra minutes isn’t going to hurt anyone but rushing to stand up can and does. It also let’s people with tight connections get off the plane quickly if needed.
Truth be told I am one of those PAX that would push a small child out of the way to de-plane as fast as I possibly can.
The problem for those still sitting is the butt that is now at face level.
Sit down!
Joe Pauswinski.
I am also 6’6″ tall. On trips over about 2 hours, tall people and older people, it’s imperative for them to get up and walk around.
Further, older people, especially men, have to use the toilet frequently. Everyone who travels, must understand and accept people getting up during long flights. Some, more than others, as mentioned above.
Keith and CJ.
KEITH, the humble one. Although you fly more than everyone, including yours truly on this blog, collectively, I am dumbstruck to your “humble opinion! That makes perfectly good sense, to absolutely no one on planet earth. Surely, you must be kidding. Your rationale, is literally unbelievable! I envision, what it might look like, using your scenario, going against, everything that travelers have, come to accept as normal. Pure chaos!
Not so humble Robert
You don’t think Southwest knows what it’s doing? They’re all about fast turnaround…..
Aloha….You proved my point! However, I don’t think, you know why.
Actually, I read that the Mafia had LBQT enforcers join them. When you got, “the kiss of death ☠️”, it included, “dinner and dancing”!
I’m in favor of ELECTRIC SHOCK for every passenger that jumps up and tries to advance rows when deplaning. It’s incredibly rude to every other passenger seated in front of him. He deserves PAIN for disrespecting others.
The flights DO have a database that shows which passengers have a tight connection. THOSE passengers should be allowed to deplane before everyone else. Everyone else SHOULD BE ELECTRIC-SHOCKED for trying to advance in front of other paying customers.
I have never been in favor of pain punishment before… but society has reached a new level of selfishness. If you have long legs and need to stand up, then fine, stand up. But if you have long legs & think you’re entitled to rush from 39C to row 30 because you payed for aisle — then — ELECTRIC SHOCK FOR YOU, until you retreat back to your paid seat.
I fly frequently and I totally DISAGREE with Gary Left, the writer. It does not increase deplaning time and makes it more civilized and comfortable for the passengers. I am tired of people encroaching on my space, leaning over me for five to ten minutes when they could just park their butts in their seats and wait their turn. Gary, people like you are why air travel is no longer fun or civil.