Should airlines allow travelers to board by rank and service?

2018-05-04T02:51:00-04:00

Getting ready to board in Korea. I’m too far in the back of the line.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 3:00 AM

2018-05-04T03:00:29-04:00

It's the privilege of rank, Sir. Sort of like standing at the end of the line when entering the DFAC.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made May 4 at 2018 3:01 AM

2018-05-04T03:01:32-04:00

No by height, tall people to the front of the line.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made May 4 at 2018 3:49 AM

2018-05-04T03:49:07-04:00

O K -- let the 1st class passengers board. Then the handicapped and those traveling with children. Then fill the plane from the rear to the front. All that happens AFTER I get to my seat.
(AND get my gin and tonic served.)

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made May 4 at 2018 4:07 AM

2018-05-04T04:07:04-04:00

Hey now, favor ain't fair :0(

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made May 4 at 2018 4:07 AM

2018-05-04T04:07:54-04:00

I'd say on a civilian airline unless its a Military charter flight just go with the herd. On Military aircraft the junior gets on first but the Senior Officer get off first and other remain seated until they have departed the aircraft. If they are senior enough they may well have a staff car waiting for them.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 4 at 2018 5:54 AM

2018-05-04T05:54:28-04:00

Army in the front, then each service branch in decending order by established date.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 4 at 2018 7:38 AM

2018-05-04T07:38:37-04:00

Yes, I do. All the lower ranks should board before the Officers. That's the Infantry way. First in combat, last in the chow line.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 4 at 2018 9:23 AM

2018-05-04T09:23:11-04:00

absolutely not. no disrespect intended - but wait in line like the rest of us - your rank does not mean you get special privileges.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 4 at 2018 10:32 AM

2018-05-04T10:32:04-04:00

North or South ?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-05-04T12:37:35-04:00

COL Private RallyPoint Member Sir, the obvious answer is to board all women service members/veterans first along with their Marine Honor Guards.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 4 at 2018 1:12 PM

2018-05-04T13:12:18-04:00

No. This gets into the separation of powers. We work for the Taxpayer, they are ultimately our boss.

Response by TSgt David L. made May 4 at 2018 3:22 PM

2018-05-04T15:22:20-04:00

LOL I don't really care anymore unless the overhead bins are already full when I get there. I hate trying to get it under the seat. Then I don't have any leg room! LOL

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2018 3:23 PM

2018-05-04T15:23:59-04:00

On a side note, at least I don’t have far to walk when I go to the bathroom since it’s right behind me!! - for the next five hours. Now about seating assignments by rank....

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 4 at 2018 10:17 PM

2018-05-04T22:17:36-04:00

Now, Now Sir- one of the 1st times- first come first served, Enjoy!

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 5 at 2018 1:24 AM

2018-05-05T01:24:43-04:00

This, too, shall pass.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 5 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-05-05T16:18:47-04:00

I think I'll don my ALICE Pack and walk instead.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-05-05T17:25:23-04:00

MAC commercial flights (AMC) used to board VIPs first (O6 and above). On Space A they could bump you for higher pri/rank also. That was in the time of Flying Tigers, Arrow Air etc. Commercial air - fuggetaboutit, you're lucky to get peanuts and hope to not get sucked out a window.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Nov 7 at 2018 2:33 PM

2018-11-07T14:33:02-05:00

I get the rank part, but by service? So if your Army you board first, then Marines, which boards before the toss up of Air Force and Navy, then Coast Guard?

Response by LTC John Griscom made Mar 14 at 2019 8:28 AM

2019-03-14T08:28:52-04:00

If these are civilian airlines, no.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 14 at 2019 10:52 PM

2019-03-14T22:52:45-04:00

Absolutely. First class service boards first, then business class, then economy. Pilot boards before co-pilot, then head flight attendant, junior flight attendants, then passengers.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 18 at 2019 1:09 PM

2019-08-18T13:09:52-04:00

YES on Military flights!

Response by SGT Gene Schwenke made Oct 16 at 2019 12:28 PM

2019-10-16T12:28:32-04:00

I would 1st ask if it is a commercial airline flight or a Military flight, like for moving a Unit somewhere?

Response by PO1 John Johnson made Nov 8 at 2019 5:15 AM

2019-11-08T05:15:04-05:00

What they really need to do is board people from seat position, from the rear and working their way forward.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 11 at 2020 1:32 AM

2020-01-11T01:32:36-05:00

I would still board last. Last on is the last in a cramped airliner and whether first or last on, plane does not take off until the boarding line is gone.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 28 at 2020 2:09 PM

2020-05-28T14:09:08-04:00

No not the way I see it.

Response by SMSgt David A Asbury made Oct 19 at 2020 11:51 PM

2020-10-19T23:51:34-04:00

Thanks for sharing.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Dec 29 at 2020 1:40 PM

2020-12-29T13:40:16-05:00

I just wanted to get aboard.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Mar 4 at 2021 9:27 AM

2021-03-04T09:27:41-05:00

I have given up a seat given to me to junior enlisted folks.

They should be first!