Some flyers believe that the best thing to do when your plane lands is to remain seated until it’s their turn to get off of the aircraft. They shake their heads, wondering why people stand up when they can’t really go anywhere until the doors of the aircraft open, and everyone ahead of them gets off first. This view is expressed in harsh terms, mocking those who stand immediately. But it’s also 100% wrong.
Man Shaves 1.7 Seconds Off 2-Hour Flight By Standing Up As Soon As Plane Lands https://t.co/WxUuNqGccl pic.twitter.com/lsP9VGcT5i
— The Shovel (@TheShovel) February 14, 2018
Columnist Tim Carney makes the case that standing up as soon as your plane lands and the captain turns off the seatbelt sign is the courteous thing to do.
The people making this objection literally only think, “What is in it for you if you stand?” They don’t think, “What behavior might help other people?”
So here’s why, when I have the aisle seat, I stand up right away and start gathering my stuff: Yes, it’s true that if you stand up once the “fasten seatbelt” sign turns off, you can’t go anywhere. BuzzFeed argues that this is why everyone should “wait until the doors have opened and it’s your turn to get up and gather your s***.”
But gathering your things ahead of time is actually the courteous thing to do.
He’s right. There are three reasons to get up right away – why it benefits you and most importantly benefits your fellow passengers.
- Getting ready to deplane, including getting things out of the overhead bin, speeds up the process. That means getting everyone off the aircraft a couple of minutes faster. And that means more people make tight connections (which is polite to your fellow travelers). It also means allowing those couple of minutes for cleaners to get on board and clean the aircraft (polite to the cleaners, letting them do their job, and polite to the next passengers on the plane). It helps with the airline’s operation, too, which makes them more efficient and holds down costs and ultimately fares.
- It’s polite to the middle seat passenger who’s been stuck in place for hours when the person in the aisle seat gets up into the aisle. When you no longer have to have seat belts fastened, you want to take advantage of all of the space in the aircraft. The aisle seat passenger gets into the aisle, the middle seat passenger now has the space of the aisle seat to spread into, and the window seat passenger has a bit more elbow room as well. Why wouldn’t you use all of the space in the aircraft for comfort?
- You’ve been stuck in an uncomfortable seat for hours, why not stand as soon as you can? Especially in an era of less-padded slimline seats, it’s time to give your back a rest.
There’s really little benefit to remaining seated until it’s your row’s turn to deplane. While there’s no real obligation to cram into the aisles immediately (except perhaps an obligation to make a little room for the passenger in the middle seat to stretch out), it’s certainly not reasonable to criticize passengers for getting up to stretch, and to get their carry on bags down in order to deplane efficiently.
Middle seat? What’s that? Oh you mean there’s people behind that curtain ?
More click bait
I thought you were going to mention BLOOD CLOTS
slow news day
Gary please get back to focusing on meaningful travel topics instead of these garbage topics
You left out that it will block those people trying to catch a tight connection, although I view that as more of a negative than a positive.
Still sounds silly to get up and stand for 15 minutes until people in front of you move.
I stand up right away, because the seats are uncomfortable and I like to stretch my legs. I honestly don’t care what anyone’s thoughts are about it.
Lol, still trying to make any sense out of these.
People spend way too much time sitting as it is.
It’s unhealthy to sit for extended periods of time. Stand whenever possible. So add reduced healthcare costs to the list.
@Mangar I’m with you! Plus, as Gary points out, it’s the courteous thing to do. Start gathering your things and be ready to go. If someone has to run to a connecting flight, they can make that known and I’ll step out of the way. There’s no reason to stay seated unless you want to.
Totally in sync w you Gary. If I’m in an aisle seat I always stand up and gather my stuff. Don’t push and patiently wait my turn to deplane but am ready to go. I can’t stand the lazy people that just sit there then decide to open several bins trying to remember where they stored their carry on and gather up all their junk. Typical “amateur” move IMHO.
Also, like others posted I’m tired of sitting and welcome the chance to stretch out a little. As for people pushing to make connections, if the flight is really late and that is an issue I’ll let them pass. However, I have also seen people pushing to get ahead blaming a “connection” when we arrive on time. Sorry but I have no problem blocking those people.
We are always in the first couple of FC rows. I stand up, get down my stuff, get down the daughters stuff and hand over anything anyone else may need.
We are ready to move out as soon as the door is open.
Frees up the space pretty efficiently.
If anyone let’s us know they have a tight connection, glad to let them go ahead. Though. I’m beginning to think some tight connection claims are beginning to take on Jetway Jesus status.
I completely disagree…and consider those who think it is necessary to JUMP UP as soon as the “ding” goes off, to be RUDE and OBNOXIOUS types, which is indicative of most of our society today.
Yes, those sitting in aisle seats should stand in an orderly fashion, showing some courtesy to others and only when there is ample space in the aisle and not get into a shoving and pushing match to retrieve their belongings in overhead bins.
For those who have “tight connections” you need to plan ahead and not think you can deplane in 15 seconds after the aircraft door is open.
It makes no sense for persons in coach to be standing in the aisles for long periods of time while passengers in forward seats are still waiting to deplane.
I also find it humorous to see people contortioning themselves to stand with heads bent and bodies in awkward positions, simply to be “up!”
Sitting an additional 5 or 10 minutes is not going to cause any blood clots or other health risks. People sit in theaters to attend a concert or opera or other extravaganza for hours at a time, and when the show is over there is an orderly departure….everyone is not jumping up the moment the curtain falls or the last symphonic chord ends.
Be patient, be courteous and always have a smile on your face. It makes life a lot more pleasant.
Nothing more frustrating or inconsiderate than the aisle seat (or middle) passenger deciding that the precise right moment to scan their cellular emails for ~ Trash bin ~ status, or reminisce over vacation photos is when the seat belt sign is turned off and many of their fellow passengers actually have connections that are running tight (through no fault of their own)
Not everyone can stand up right away. That isn’t logical. The people in the aisle seat should stand up and grab their bags and maybe even the people in the middle seat. The people in the window seat are probably not going to be able to do so because of all the people in front of them so they will have to wait until the deboarding to grab their bag. However it shouldn’t take the window people long to grab their bag if the aisle and middle seat people have already removed their luggage from the bin.
It’s a ego/status race–the faster you jump up , the more important you are (despite the fact you are sitting in economy.) Bonus points for anticipating the seat belt sign going off by several seconds.
We’ve all seen the impatient people who push others out of the way to get off the plane.
@KPR – quit making it an either or decision. You can stand up next to your seat, gather your items so you can deplane quickly and not “push others out of the way”. I get up as soon as I hear the song and stand patiently. Frankly Inhate the lazy people that want to sit in their butts and hold up deplaning. Luckily I’m usually in first or the first few rows if coach (MCE, Comfort + etc) if I don’t get upgraded or buy a first class ticket so don’t have to watch all the slobs sit in their seats u til the last possible moment.
Gary is ABSOLUTELY right on this issue so get with the program.
I do not believe there is enough aisle room for all passengers in an aisle seat to all stand at the same time. So, do you look at the person sitting across the aisle from you, make eye contact, and race to claim the space first? If I am in the back of the plane in an aisle seat, I remain seated until I see what develops around me. If there is space for me to get up, I will when there is movement 3-4 rows in front of me, ensuring I do not waste time gathering my things when it is my turn to exit.
Meh, unconvinced. I’ll sit a while and time my stand up as the rows ahead start moving (which usually allows pplleeeenty of time). Idiotic to stand up immediately and just wait with no knowledge of the deplaning conditions. And then further, as often is the case with intrepid stand-uppers, sit back down to await the official door opening.
How about, I get my bags in place in the isle so that the person in row 41 does not rush forward thinking that they are going to be the first one off.
I stand immediately and step back from row. I help my row folks get their stuff and stand in front of me. I then let all in my row deplane before me.
It is always interesting to see the control freaks making the decision for everyone in their row. Standing up in the aisle and offering to let those in your row go first when it is your turn to go is the only polite thing to do.
Remaining seated for the approx. 10 minutes til others have deplaned allows me to gather all of my stuff, double check and relax until all of those in a hurry are gone.
If you did not bring on two suitcases, 3 bags and some small items, you would not need much time to gather your things .
Strange that nobody mentioned the most important word in aviation: SAFETY!
Rolling manoeuvres can be sudden and harsh, objects or holes/bumps on the way may cause standing or unfastened passengers to be thrown forward or upward, items may fall off the bins while the aircraft is moving – no, the wisest is to wait patiently until the sign goes off and wait until your row is called!
TAM (before the merge with LAN to become LATAM) refused to pay injured passengers and only provided immediate care, for they unclick themselves during taxiing and the pilot missed a big hole, causing some to get badly hurt. Some sued the airline and lost, with the judge claiming correctly that they didn’t abide to the rules and unfastened the seat belts before the appropriate time.
I don’t share your view there, Gary, and find the arguments presented shallow and even selfish. Nonetheless, keep up the excellent work, I read you on a daily basis.
I don’t like it when people in aisle seats wait to stand up until the people in the row ahead of them have deplaned, then start to fill the aisle and reach for an item in the overhead bin, holding up the process. Any time between when the ding sounds and when the people about three rows ahead are moving is OK, but I personally get up right away.
@Christian, so you know for a fact that nobody but you has a tight connection to make. Guess it is all about you. How rude can people get.
Get up on landing or no. What a useless article. And dumb. “Gather your things from the overhead”??? How might I do that before we land and permission is given to get up? Items in the overhead cannot be brought down during landing and taxi. Is Artificial Intelligence writing this drivel?
BS reasons. This prematurely starts a pushing shoving race for the door.
You don’t leave your seat when the flight LANDS..
thats only for the ignorant.
For everyones safety, you wait until the aircraft reaches the gate and the seatbelt sign is turned off
I try never to get stuck in the middle seat but it happens. I HATE it when the aisle passenger just sits there. I want OUT of that damn seat – even if it means standing up bent over under the bins. It’s better than continuing to be forced to sit.
Gary, when’s the last time you were seated behind the wings? If you’re in the aisle and want to stretch your legs fine but it’s going to be a long while before you get off. And standing for anyone in the middle or window is a non-starter. Once you can see people 5-10 rows in front of you heading out, then sure, get up and get ready but otherwise, do a basic gather and then sit back and relax…
No, the courteous thing to do, prompted by the airlines, would be to allow those passengers with tight connections to stand and deplane FIRST. If that means someone in the aisle or middle seat has to deplane in addition to allow those in their row to get to their next flight, that’s perfectly fine. But for everyone to cram in the middle aisles, trying to remove baggage from the overhead and often slamming those bags into the heads and shoulders of those below, doesn’t make much sense. I agree that it is uncomfortable sitting in those seats but there isn’t room enough for everyone on the plane to make it into the aisle so often times those who need to stand first due to health or physical concerns are unable to because of everyone else. Again, I believe the flight attendants should make announcements after landing that passengers arriving in their final destination or who don’t have immediate connections, should remain seated allowing those who do and those in their row to deplane first.
@Jeffrey Penn – that is why I always get an aisle seat if not in first, anticipate the “ding” and get myself up to claim my spot in the aisle. F*** courteous – worry about your self. Again I don’t push or shove and wait my turn to exit but I absolutely am standing. BTW if plane is reasonably on time the “tight connection” BS doesn’t fly. We all have somewhere else we would rather be and I’m getting off as soon as possible (without jumping ahead of those seated in front of me of course)
I’ve always thought the people who get up as you suggests were just IMPATIENT SHEEP and I am one of those who shake their heads at people who do it. RUSH, RUSH, RUSH, I must be off the plane first.
I dont like it when folks stand up because your face is eye level with peoples butts. Plus, rookie travelers from the rear of the airplane try to sprint to the front.
@Joe Butts – and Joe I love to fart in your face since your lazy self remains sitting when most get up.
How am I supposed to stand up when seated by the window on a full Narrow Body?
I am 6’5″.
Please explain.
If I am sitting in the aisle seat, I look at it as part of my duties to stand up immediately. When the time comes to exit the aircraft, I ensure that my row (right and left) have an opportunity to exit first and I follow them out.
The Real Acts Of Politeness:
Exiting a plane should follow the same rules as entering the highway/freeway. Yield to those in the aisle, with carry-on in-hand and ready to roll! Anyone in the aisle, ignoring the multitudes bottlenecked behind while impressing the young lady still stumbling in the row ahead as she climbs out of her seat, then struggles with bag after over-stuffed bag in the jammed bins is simply trying to impress with overt ill-timed false chivalry and is the major cause of delayed exiting. A passenger unable to immediately collect his or her “stuff” from the bins or seats should step out of the aisle and wait, allowing those already ready past by.
Sooo, which aisle seat passenger is getting up and standing in the aisle? 2 people can’t stand up so the unfortunate person who’s sitting patiently has somebody’s ass in their face! Not to mention the idiots that have moved up from the rear and force their way forward! STAY SEATED until its your turn!
Whenever they announce that those who have tight connections should go ahead… I’m always on a tight connection to dinner or to bed.
Sorry, but your entire argument is based on one unproven assumption. You write: “Getting ready to deplane, including getting things out of the overhead bin, speeds up the process.” My question is: says who? Has anyone determined that a plane in which everyone sits patiently deplaned slower than the plane in which everyone jumps on their feet instantly? This may seem intuitively right to you, but until we get some evidence, it’s all just speculation.
What a load of bollocks.
Deplaning quickly should be the major responsibility of the airline. Some suggestions below.
Seating at the front should be assigned to those requiring connecting flights.
Stricter rules about carry on in terms of size and weight.
Where possible deplane from both front and back.
Standing up or remaining seated does not make one iota of difference to speed of exiting planes.
The most dangerous part of the flight is the taxi to the gate so please keep seated.
Yes, it’s especially important to push ahead of those next to you and block the aisle so they’re stuck.
This article should not be here. I hope every airline demands that it be removed immediately. Passengers must remain seated in their assigned seats until they are asked by the crew to exit the aeroplane. Same with stowed luggage in the overhead bins. In fact the bin doors must remain closed.
The reason being is safety. Should the aircraft come to a sudden stop anyone standing will be lurched forward or even fall to the floor and perhaps causing injury to themselves or someone else. Bin doors are to remain shut to prevent anything stored in them from sliding out.
It’s no different to road rules as you must wear seatbelts while the vehicle is moving. Loose items in a trailer must be secured properly .
You might considered a little bit about the consequences of filling the ever narrowing aisle with people and their baggage. People who haven’t reached their destination need to catch another flight. That’s not going to happen. It also has become more common that the open aisle is necessary for local authorities called to respond to an overly entitled asshole. Yes, we have been sitting for a while. After 5-10 eternal minutes the race begins to baggage claim begins. Remember when you smoked and knew you then had time for a cigarettes because you beat the luggage by 15 minutes. But, wait you say, only fools need to go to baggage claim. That’s because you’re the jerk that filled the over head compartment. The criticism you feel stretching your legs in the aisle no one can actually use is the tired souls who must share air with people who can’t or wont consider anyone that isn’t them.
@Walter – no one is getting up during active taxi. This is all after at the gate and the pilot lets people know it is OK to get up. Jeez – must not travel much