The Airplane Boarding Mistake Most Passengers Make, According to a Pilot

There are so many systems to maneuver at the airport: check-in and bag drop, security screening, gate navigation and, finally, boarding. While TSA is generally the biggest stressor for travelers—shoes off or on at this airport? Do liquids need to be removed? Did I accidentally pack something I can’t bring in my carry-on?—there are plenty of things to consider past the security checkpoint that can impact how smooth your travel day flows.

Boarding your flight is often the most lengthy and frustrating part of airport travel. The gates are crowded, it’s hard to hear the instructions, lines are disorganized and slow-moving and you can end up sitting on the plane for what feels like forever before actually taking off. Although you can’t prevent maintenance issues or plane delays, there are a few things you can do during boarding to make the process a breeze—but most passengers make one mistake right from the get-go.

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The Best Travel Tips Come From Airport Employees

Some of the best travel tips come from those who know the systems from the inside out: the employees. Gate agents, flight attendants, TSA agents and pilots are well-versed in how airports run, and they’re definitely experienced getting in and out of them. While you’re lucky if you know one in person who will spill some secrets with you, there are a few to follow online that share useful travel tips. 

One such user goes by the Substack name of “Lessons From The Flight Deck” (@lessonsfromtheflightdeck). Their bio shares that they are an experienced pilot who is “Passionate about flight, sharing stories from above 🌤️, and exploring the intersection of aviation and business.” This account shares everything from packing tips to air travel news, all from the perspective of a pilot who knows the airline industry like the back of their hand. A recent post explained one common mistake travelers make when boarding airplanes, and what to do instead.

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The Biggest Mistake You’re Making When Boarding Your Flight (And How to Board Like a Pilot Instead)

The pilot reveals that the biggest mistake most passengers make is rushing to board the plane. There are two groups of thinkers out there when it comes to this issue; one group thinks boarding first is the best way to get it all over and done with, and the other group thinks that extra time sitting on the plane is the furthest thing from relaxing. The Subtsack pilot (and most other pilots, according to the essay), fall into the latter group, and for good reason. When you jump up to board the plane as fast as possible, you’re likely signing yourself up for a whole lot of waiting in line. 

The pilot explains that oftentimes when gate agents initiate the boarding process, the plane isn’t even ready for passengers yet. This means all those who board first will be stuck in the cramped jetbridge, standing and sweaty, until the plane opens. And sitting outside of the plane, at the gate, where you are free to move around, fill up your water bottle, hit the bathroom one last time or grab something to eat, is always much more enjoyable than being stuck in a traffic jam either on the plane or on the jet bridge.

How to Board a Plane Like a Pro, According to an Experienced Pilot

The “Lessons From The Flight Deck” pilot shares that his secret is to wait 10-15 minutes after general boarding has begun to get on the plane. This gives the traffic jam of too-eager passengers enough time to clear, so that when you scan your boarding pass, the line of people is moving, and most people are already settled in their seats, so you can avoid that stop-and-go process of walking down the aisle while passengers in front of you put their carry-ons up and climb into their rows.

The timing depends on the size of the plane and the efficiency of the airport, of course. For smaller planes with fewer passengers, less than 10 minutes might be a better call, while for large international flights, it might take up to 30 minutes for most people to board. 

The best way to check on your own for when might be the best boarding time is to keep an eye on the ground crew outside the window. Are they still loading bags? You can be sure the plane isn’t ready for take-off yet. The same goes for if the plane is still connected to the fuel truck, the catering truck or the lavatory truck; the plane likely isn’t even open to passengers yet, so sit tight. While gate agents like to start the boarding process to get things going, they don’t always know exactly how long it will take the crew to do their thing on the plane, so it’s best not to jump up to board right away.

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