I have FF status with several airlines (the rewardfor many years as a road warrior). My bags fly free
, so even though I have the privilage to board in the first group, I always hang back until the last group is called.
Why sit and wait in a cramped space while everyone else is boarding and dodge bags, purses, and whatever else fellow passengers try to carry-on?
I board with the last group, quickly take my pre-assigned seat and avoid having to decline trading seats with someone who wants my exit aisle seat, so they can sit next to someone, for their middle seat in the back of the plane next to the lavatory, and if there are no mechanical or weather problems we're quickly in the air.
IMHO being the first to board is not a perk even when flying first class.
Here's why you want to get on the plane as soon as you can.
My DD flew Continental from Newark to Puerto Rico last year. When I checked her in online, I was offered the option to upgrade her to first class for just $99, and I took it.
The flight was delayed four hours.
When she went to board, they had already passed first class and started on Group 1. Big scary Mom shoved her to the front of the line and she got on.
When she got onto the plane, it turned out that they had overbooked the entire plane completely, including first class. One man, traveling with a party of four adults, was BUMPED FROM FIRST CLASS!!! I admit I had never heard of such a thing. But there was someone sitting in his seat and her boarding pass was also legit, so apparently Continental told him to get off the plane, since it was totally full.
So that's why I want to get on that plane first. I figure if my backside is in the seat, I have a better chance of not getting bumped.
