[eddiedunn]

I never understood why people usually rush to board the plane, only to end up sitting in a cramped airplane chair and breathing stuffy air.

I usually opt to sit and wait outside the gate until I can assume that most people have gotten to their seats inside the plane and won't crowd the aisle. The seats are assigned anyway, it's not like I'd get a better spot by being early. So why not wait outside where there's plenty of space and (usually) fresher air?

No, the only reason I can think of is that people want to make sure they have place for their oversized carry on (as the article alludes to). If that's the case I have no sympathy for them, and hope they all get stuck next to a fat person with a cold.

[brc]

I fly often enough that I have frequent flyer status and get access to early boarding.

I find this valuable because of the following reasons:

a) It allows me to enter an empty plane and find my seat and stow my carry-on (correct size) right with my seat. I can do this without squeezing past people.

b) It allows me to get settled into my seat and get set up (music, computer, book, whatever) and so I can be settled into the routine of the flight. This is much more pleasant than milling around in the terminal, where you can't settle into whatever it is you're going to do on the flight (read, sleep, work, etc)

Essentially I don't agree that waiting in the terminal is better than waiting in the plane. I'd much rather reduce my waiting times and move directly from lounge to plane, than have an intermediate step of waiting at the gate.

[mdorazio]

100% agree as a fellow frequent flyer. Additionally

1) I find that general boarding involves several minutes of just standing in the jetbridge waiting to get on the plane, which is completely lost time. This is often true on popular routes right up until they close the door.

2) If you board late and you're not in an aisle seat you're going to have to deal with the awkward "ask people to let you in and wait for them to shuffle into the aisle" situation.

3) Seating at gates is a pretty big problem at most airports, which simply weren't built to handle the number of passengers they now have. As often as not you're going to be standing at the gate doing email on your phone because there aren't any comfortable seats available.

[mech4bg]

I'm a tallish guy (6"2) and the seats here in the US in particular seem incredibly small, so even with a small backpack with me I'd far prefer to get it in the overhead bin than have it stashed underneath the seat in front of me.

And again, being in the US - you do have to rush to get that spot as people bring so much oversized carry-on, it's kind of crazy. Never had any issues or felt any rush in Australia.

[josephschmoe]

People bring oversized carry-ons because companies began to charge for every bag in storage, including the first one.

[zippergz]

That certainly contributes. But I can check my bag for free (as a frequent flyer) and I still never do for several reasons. It saves me a lot of time, being able to walk directly off the plane and to my ride rather than waiting half an hour at baggage claim. It is impossible for my bag to get lost or mis-routed, which is a major hassle when I'm on a short turnaround business trip. And finally, it makes it much easier for me to switch flights at the last minute, which I do with some frequency when there's a delay on my original flight. These things are small, but they add up when you fly a lot.

My bag is not oversized by any means, by the way, but it does need to go in the bin, not under the seat. That's what they have bins for.

[balls187]

As others have said:

1. Able to store your carry on near you (mine is always a backpack, or a laptop bag, or a camera bag)

2. I pick window seats, so I'd like to get to sit down, pop in earphones, and listen to music until I fall asleep.

I also fly first class, so boarding issues don't really impact me anymore.

[alistairSH]

It's not just oversized carry-ons. There isn't space for every single passenger to bring a full-size (but within stated limits) carry-on plus personal item. And with carriers charging for checked bags, it's worse than it would be otherwise.

That said, as an infrequent flyer, I do like you and just wait in the terminal until the end of boarding. No point waiting in the middle of the line - that's the worst of all options. I also make sure my personal carry-on (usually a large laptop bag) has my toothbrush and clean socks, just in case I get stuck checking a bag at the gate.

But, given the option to board early without charge, I'd take it.

[a_c_s]

I like sitting in the window seat, so I'd rather sit on the plane a little longer and not have to climb over people to get to my seat. But to each their own!

[seanmcdirmid]

I am similar. I wait until the last minute to board, given that my seat is reserved anyways. As a bonus, I can use the internet until I'm on the plane, which is great when I'm out of country and can't be connected through my phone. Also, the lines are usually atrocious on flights to/from China, so waiting is the best option.