Am I the a-hole for rushing to get off the plane even though I sat in the back?

The only thing worse than boarding a plane? Unboarding.

We all dread the long process that takes about 4 days from landing to baggage claim. So, are we allowed a short-cut if we happen to find one? One person came to Reddit with such a dilemma, and boy did they get an earful.

'AITA (Am I the A-hole) for getting up and lining up to exit the airplane before the people in front of me got up?'

u/amiadick736283 writes:

I just got off a southwest flight (no seat assignments), and I was sat towards the very back of the plane when we landed. People at the front got up to get ready but no one in the middle section got up I was in the aisle seat and I only had a backpack, so I took the opportunity and walked to the front of the plane to lineup behind the people in the very front.

While I was waiting to exit the airplane, the person sitting in the seat next to where I was standing asked me “have the rules changed?“ And I pretended not to hear him because I had headphones on and I didn’t say anything to him. Then he got up and said, “why don’t you go back to the back and wait like everyone else.”

I didn’t respond again but this time there was a lady behind me who said she needed to catch her connecting flight that was already boarding. The guy then said “well the rules haven't changed but if you want to be a jerk go ahead.”

The lady who had the connecting flight definitely had a valid reason to “cut” in line, but when was this ever a rule lol? I don’t think I did anything wrong because everyone who I “skipped” could have gotten up and waited in the aisle, so AITA here?

What do you think proper air travel etiquette is? Is it different when there is no one blocking the aisle? Who exactly is the a-hole here?

Reddit was all over the board on their rulings, but that doesn't mean their comments weren't filled with passion.

MaggieMae68 rants:

YTA (You're the a-hole). Jesus Christ what is it with people who stand up the minute the plane comes to a stop. You're not going anywhere anyway. So sit your f*ckin' ass down and wait for the people who need to get off to do so.

De-railled agrees:

OP is the reason why everyone gets up. Cause they get the mentality that they don't want others to 'cut' infront of them. By manners it should be row by row, but if you sitting in the back rows you should expect to be off the plane last.

I sometimes feel like school kids are better mannered than adults, cause I've seen little grade school kids leave assembly halls in single lines row by row (ADORBLE). Do we really need plane staff to act as traffic control too?

But not_ya_wify defends OP:

They literally didn't get up. Who cares? This seems like such a boomer thing to get mad about. No one is getting hurt if someone in the back is getting out first. Is this some dumb class bullshit? If you don't want to get 'cut' in front of then get up. I'm way more pissed at the people sitting in front who hold up everyone in the back. You're not more important because you sit in the front.

As does SophiaNSunshine:

Some people have tight connecting flights, just because you have the luxury if waiting does not make it so for everyone. OP is NTA (Not the a-hole). Hunting someone down and wasting your time berating them makes you the a-hole.

MyMorningSun says:

I think its fine if people stand. Flying makes my legs f*cking hurt, and truly, Idgaf if anyone thinks I'm an a-hole for standing. The issue is moving all the way to the front and cutting ahead. It's fine to stand in place (and stretch out a bit), but stay in place and wait your turn.

kaailer comments:

Literally like why should you need a 'rule' to not do this. Anyone with half a brain could think ahead and realize they're negatively affecting the entire deboarding process. There doesn't need to be a 'rule' to stand in a line politely and not act like children trying to be first at the ice cream truck. Hell, that's an insult to children, they at least line up straight at the sound of a whistle.

MoonageDayscream writes:

YTA. If even half of those in the back of the plane acted as you did, it would take twice as long to let everyone but the first three rows off. If you find yourself where you think your personal benefit is equal to making it take twice as long for absolutely everyone, you are definitely an a-hole. You are bad at merging, too, betcha.

What do YOU think?

Did OP make the huge faux pas that people seem to think? Or was he just mildly obtuse? Tell us what you're big airplane no-no is.