When we travel by air, we're not just paying for a ticket, we're paying with our energy and patience (the proverbial 'blood, sweat and tears'). And if you travel often like I do (roughly twice a month), one of the most stressful parts of travel is the boarding process—unless you’re in first class of course. From the fact that you often can’t even hear which group they’re calling (some show this on a screen, which is helpful), to struggling to get your bag down the narrow aisle, to finding that the overhead bins are completely full (and having to put your bag in a bin in a row behind you), to the walk of shame on airlines without assigned seating, to feeling like a sardine once you actually get into your (regular coach) seat. Those of us who traveled before 2001 know that it hasn’t always been this complicated and uncomfortable.

Let’s start with getting on the plane. Each airline has a different process—each with their pros and cons—but I don’t think any of them have quite gotten it right. It would be nice if it was consistent across airlines, but the FAA doesn’t seem to want to touch airline customer service in general, so let’s not go there. To help you prepare, below are links to the boarding processes by airline:

• Alaska/Horizon/SkyWest: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/flight-experience/our-boarding-process
• American: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/boarding-process.jsp
• Delta: https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/onboard-services/boarding-priority.html
• Frontier: https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel-information/at-the-airport
• Hawaiian: http://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/813/~/boarding-by-zones
• Jet Blue: https://www.jetblue.com/at-the-airport/special-assistance/boarding-process/
• Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/travel-experience/boarding-the-plane.html
• Spirit: https://customersupport.spirit.com/hc/en-us/sections/200447886-Online-Check-In-Boarding-Pass
• United: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/boarding-process.aspx
• Virgin America: See Alaska Airlines

I’m all for the disabled, active duty military and parents with small kids getting on first, but I’m not sure why airlines with assigned seating need to let those near the front of the plane board first. They already paid more for the nicer seat, better food and (sometimes) free drinks. However, I think that if, after letting the aforementioned disabled, etc. board first, airlines should simply board from back to front. After all, who wants to sit on the plane for longer than normal anyway? Frankly, it’s unhealthy. Plus, this virtual ‘caste system’ of boarding for the airlines with assigned seating is demeaning—and I’m someone who typically sits in premium. And if you fly Southwest, which herds you on like cattle, and you don't check in right at the 24 hour advance mark (or pay for early bird check in), you're totally screwed.

The only reason I want to board early now is because there is so much carry on luggage that I risk not having space for my bag. Every damn flight is ‘completely full.’ If airlines would start rewarding vs. punishing passengers by charging fees for checked luggage, the volume of carry on luggage would decrease, and both boarding and deplaning time would speed up. I know that some airlines will (much to your chagrin) sometimes force you to check your bag if all bins are full or your bag is too larger, and not charge you for it. But if they didn’t charge for checked bags to begin with, that wouldn’t be an issue. Before airlines started charging for checked bags, I don’t recall there ever being an issue with too many bags in the overhead bins.

Of course, some of us choose to carry on for different reasons. I’ve had issues with bags getting temporarily lost (AKA delayed), even destroyed, so I have trust issues. I also have very little patience (hence this blog post), so I don’t want to have to wait for my suitcase at baggage claim. My goals with flying are to get in and out as quickly and efficiently as possible. But this is usually for work trips. When I’m on vacation, I don’t care quite as much and frankly, I’d be happy to have a lighter load both in the airport and on the plane.

So what do you think would speed up the boarding process? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

How my relationship with Alaska Airlines went from rocky to rocking it

After a turbulent start, including me getting abandoned at the Ontario, California Airport circa 2012, and having my luggage destroyed on the way to Maui in 2016, I've had pretty good experiences on Alaska Airlines and am now a loyal passenger with MVP status on their mileage plan. They've made good on their mistakes, which I truly appreciate. I used to be a pretty loyal Southwest Airlines passenger customer, but after a lack of resolution and pathetic response to my customer service issues, the lack of food, and lack of legroom, I decided to instead spend my money with Alaska.

If you are also a regular Alaska Airlines passenger, here are some tips and tricks to making your trips rock!

1. Download the Alaska Airlines app. Its better than most because you can not only check the status of your flight, but you can also change seats, get gate change and flight notifications and reserve some food items.

2. The food is pretty good. Sure you have to pay for it, but it's not outrageous, and it's better than just getting stupid chips or cookies for a 4 hour flight. And if you fall in love with the fruit and cheese platter like I did, you need to reserve it in advance on the app...otherwise by the time they hit row 15 or so, you may be SOL. Skip the Banh mi sandwich. It's delicious but it's a lot of work and just a hot mess. They also serve Starbucks coffee, so much better than the crap on Southwest and other airlines.

3. Don't check your luggage. Pack light and smart. Their new carry-on size restrictions are 22'' x 14'' x 9'' or no more than 45 linear inches. And on the newer planes where you can do this, please please please turn your suitcase on its side in the overhead (like a book) to save space for other passengers.

4. Wear a Portland Timbers jersey. Some flights will allow you to board early if you are wearing one. I believe you can also wear a Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson jersey to board early at Sea-Tac Airport.

5. They have better booze, including Northwest spirits and wines. I highly recommend the Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka on the rocks or in your coffee. If you live in Oregon, some liquor stores carry this for about $25 a bottle...totally worth it.

6. Their GoGo inflight Wi-Fi sucks. Don't waste your money. They are supposed to get satellite in the next couple of years, but in the meantime, it's not worth the headache and battle for bandwidth.

7. Their newer planes have USB ports at your seat, so you don't have to worry about your phone losing juice before you reach your destination and need to call an Uber or Lyft.

8. If you have MVP status, pick a seat as far forward as possible so you can get off the plane quickly when you reach your destination. Between that, TSA PreCheck (if you have it), and carry on luggage, the flight will be a breeze. 

9. If you have MVP status, and there is space available, the day before check-in, you can move yourself up to premium status for at no charge.

10. They are very responsive to customer service issues both via phone and their social media account. Even if their social media people can't resolve your issue, they will point you to the right place or person to do so.