What Kind Of Line Is That?
The world is full of lines. The cab line at any casino in Las Vegas on most days is 25 minutes long. The line at the grocery store is hopefully a little shorter. The line when you enter a movie theatre can be long, but there is rarely an issue. All of those things have one thing in common – the line is typically straight as an arrow.
Since January 1st, I have flown 36 different flight segments. It doesn’t matter what airport, what type of plane, what airline. I am still amazed at one thing: Getting on a plane is out of control. When they make the announcement to start boarding, everything gets crazy. People actually forget how to stand in line. There is tons of pushing, shoving, elbowing, biting (I hope not but I thought I would embellish my point).
When I was younger, I thought it was funny. Now that I am older and hopefully a little bit more mature, I don’t think it is funny at all. Rarely do you hear an “excuse me.” Most of the time, 15 people come in from 15 different angles and directions trying to board a plane.
Isn’t forming a line easy? Isn’t it something we all learned in kindergarten? Apparently forming a line to rush to get on a plane (that more than likely will be delayed) can’t be done by adults – can’t happen.
I thought it would be better when they changed the rules about bringing on liquids. The result of the new rule is much less carry-on luggage–which you would think would help the boarding process. Perhaps if people don’t have luggage to put in the bins they wouldn’t have been in such a rush to get on a plane.
From where I sit it hasn’t helped one bit. In fact I can’t wait to get in my next line (ooooooooops I mean rush the podium like everyone else).
- Does the same thing happen to you?
- Are you tired of it?
- Do you have a solution for the airlines that might help?
I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I so agree with you on this issue Merrill!
Here’s what I think; the gate agent should publicly select a line leader and announce that there will be an extra special snack if everyone lines up quickly and quietly.
Hiring some retired kindergarten teachers to assist with boarding might not be a bad idea either!
:- ) kath
ps - good call on the spell check feature!
May 7th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I my word…I hear you as a fellow commuter is week. The line thing is not nearly as bad as the fact that we no longer know what customer service is…it just doesn’t exist. I would rather navigate the “no real line” vs. at temping to get to an agent on anytime of phone call.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Southwest is the only airline that I have found to be civilized. It is first come first served - which one would think would exacerbate the issues - but it doesn’t - you check-in 24 hours prior and you get in your designated lanes (A, B, C) with handicapped going first - and folks pretty much follow like lemmings! Of course there are those who ALWAYS feel they are more entitled than the rest of us (%#&$) - but what can you do… most - follow the plan! now this doesn’t solve the issue of those… who INSIST on staying in the aisle because they cannot get a grip on their luggage… but I digress..