A plane passenger attempted to let a fellow traveler exit before him, only to face resistance from an angry "boomer" who insisted on following a strict "row-by-row" rule.
The situation, which escalated into a passive-aggressive standoff, was shared in a swiftly-deleted Reddit post this week, drawing hundreds of comments from travelers with their own opinions on deplaning etiquette.
'Stop crowding us'
The original poster (OP) described being seated near the back of the plane during a layover. As passengers began to stand, a woman positioned herself behind the OP, attempting to exit.
However, a man sitting nearby became agitated, telling her, "No one's getting off yet. Sit down and stop crowding us."
When she explained she needed to use the restroom, the man refused to let her pass, physically blocking the aisle by grabbing two seats. He insisted that, "We get off row by row", and accused her of cutting in line.
In response, the OP decided to enforce the man's logic against him. When it came time to move, the OP deliberately stopped behind a couple who were still securing their baby's belongings.
"You guys take your time," the OP said, making it clear that the man behind him would now have to wait. The couple, aware of the previous argument, played along, taking several minutes to gather their things.
'Stupid'
This pattern continued with another passenger who was waiting for the flight attendant to retrieve her bag. Each time, the OP loudly repeated the same phrase the man had used: "We get off row by row."
At first, the man complained, calling it "stupid," but the OP simply repeated his own rule back to him. Eventually, the man fell silent, likely realizing that his insistence on a rigid system had cost him several minutes of his own time.
The Etiquette of Deplaning
While no official rule mandates deplaning row by row, passengers often follow this pattern out of habit. However, there are widely accepted exceptions—such as allowing those with tight connections to exit first.
According to a Newsweek report, a YouGov poll found that while many travelers support orderly deplaning, a large number are frustrated by passengers who block the aisle or slow down the process unnecessarily.
A NerdWallet article points out that the most efficient way to exit a plane is not row-by-row at all.
A study published in the Journal of Air Transport Management found that a "column style" method—where aisle seats exit first, followed by middle seats, then window seats—was faster than the traditional approach.
'Good manners'
Despite its efficiency, etiquette expert Jo Hayes emphasized that passengers generally prioritize courtesy over speed, saying, "It is basic good manners to wait your turn."
However, etiquette isn't always so clear-cut. Some travelers argue that allowing those who are ready to exit—rather than those still fumbling with luggage—makes the process smoother.
NerdWallet notes that in some cases, letting people behind you pass is actually polite, such as when they have a tight connection or when your overhead bag is stored further back.
Reactions from Other Travelers
The Reddit thread drew a mix of amusement and frustration from users familiar with similar situations.
One commentator appreciated the OP's response, writing, "Nicely done. I actually took a flight before Christmas with the most polite and orderly 'deplaning' I've ever seen. It was a 6 a.m. flight; I think people who fly at 6 a.m. don't mess around."
Another user expressed disbelief at those who insist on rigid rules: "Well played. Gave me a good chuckle during my lunch break.
"I'll never understand people who go out of their way to make someone else's day worse."
Newsweek has attempted to contact the OP for comment via Reddit, but they have deleted their account.
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