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You want cheap ticket and want to carry your world with you- at no extra cost. Your ticket has clear definition of allowed baggage weights and limitations. Please comply with that. Most budget airlines subsidise tickets and charge extra for check in baggage- this way, those who travel light can pay less and only those who have extra bags can pay for it.  While buying cheap ticket, keep in mind luggage limitations and luggage cost- sometimes a 20kg check in Bag could cost as much as what you paid for your cheap tickets. I don’t think we can blame airlines for setting weight limits or charging extra for bags. (When DGCA forced Air Asia to give 15kg free check-in baggage, they simply increased fares factoring this cost. Now even those who have no check in bag will have to pay more for tickets). You should do some planning such that items can be distributed optimally  between check-in bag vs hand bag or between other passengers who are traveling with you. Many European airlines have trained their staff about Indian passenger’s overweight bags and ignore small variance from prescribed limits, purely with an objective of avoiding a scene at the counter. Only when weight excess is too much they raise a concern and ask for extra payment. I think it is fair that we comply to the limits.

4. Not pre-ordering your meals: 

This is not mandatory, but if you have specific preferences, pre-order it so that airline can plan for it. Otherwise, be prepared for situations where items of your choice are no longer available. Many airlines give some discounts for advance bookings of meals. Airline cannot predict likes and dislikes of all passengers and can’t carry enough number of every item on the menu, due to space, cost and other constraints. (or sometimes they are lazy- that is separate story). Arguing with cabin crew at 30000 ft won’t help.

Some airlines board people row wise (like row 20-30 first, 10-20 next etc), hoping this will streamline people movement and facilitate faster boarding. This sequence is well planned such that boarding is quicker and less chaotic. Not respecting this announcement will only create more chaos on the crowded aisles. Follow the instruction and go to the gate only when your row is called out.  

Airlines often provide stuff like in flight magazines, earphones, pillows etc for the comfort and convenience of the guests. These are meant to be used during the journey and left behind, but some passengers make it a habit to pack them into their hand bags while leaving the plane- effectively stealing things. It is impossible for crew to keep an eye and prevent this from happening, but doesn’t sound good on traveling community to steal. Some earphones are specially designed with multiple pins such that they can’t be used outside the aircraft (it won’t fit into traditional players). There were instances where hotels have complained about missing blankets and bedsheets- which airport officials managed to confiscate from the luggage of passengers. Stop doing this.

All the time you saved by queuing up early, standing up before landing, rushing through the gate and sundry other things are effectively nullified by late arrival of your checked in baggage at the conveyor belt. Probability of your bag arriving last is directly proportional to how hurried and impatient you are. Being restless here again won’t help. Grab a book and read some pages while the bag arrives, or go refresh yourselves at the restroom, or buy a scheme that gets your bag out on priority.

Next time you’re traveling by air, remember below golden points

· Boarding early doesn’t mean you will reach early