It's simply inconsiderate folks and no change in boarding logistics will fix inconsiderate people. Certain people get on the plane and they don't realize there's a line of people behind them and no matter how many announcements are made they do not step out of the aisle in order to situate themselves. So they clog up the aisle and try and build a little nest in their tiny seat with all of their bags and accoutrements.
I suspect these are the same people that go to a Chipotle and can't decide what they want to order or what toppings they want on it. Even though they've been there a hundred times and they order the exact same thing on their burrito bowl each time for them is a brand new experience of toppings discovery.
People often complain about those in first class or business class, I rarely find them to be the problem. They want to get seated and get that plane moving as fast as possible. It's those who have no concept of how their actions affect and delay others and because they're not in a hurry no one else should be in a hurry.
We've all worked with these people. They're the same kind of people where they're told a feature deadline is in 3 days. They understand that they have some work to complete and three others have work to complete on that same feature. You have plenty of meetings so they know that their work needs to be completed first so the others can complete their work and everyone can hit the deadline in 3 days. All they seem to hear was their work needs to be completed in 3 days and it's not their fault that the other people couldn't make the deadline.
josephcsible · 23h ago
One idea I'm surprised that I've never seen tried is assigned slots in the overhead bins. That would avoid the problem of two-way traffic in the aisle caused by people putting their bags in bins further back than their seat, plus remove most of the incentive for passengers to try to board before they're supposed to.
_tqr3 · 23h ago
Sounds like logistical nightmare.
How do you keep track of bin space while accounting for variable luggage sizes and compliance?
josephcsible · 23h ago
Put physical dividers in the overhead bins so that oversize luggage won't fit at all and has to be gate-checked.
_tqr3 · 23h ago
The main disadvantages are that physical dividers add weight and require maintenance. Also, they reduce flexibility, preventing the ability to tetris more bags into a bin.
josephcsible · 22h ago
Sure, but I suspect that the savings in reduced turnaround times could be enough to offset those things.
jerlam · 23h ago
Missed the big negative of Southwest open seating, which is where one early-boarding member of a group will "reserve" seats around them, irritating other early-boarding passengers, Southwest FAs, and Southwest's bottom line.
But it will soon be academic as open seating will be gone by next year.
_tqr3 · 23h ago
How do you "reserve" seats for others? Put a handkerchief on them?
PNewling · 15h ago
I've only flow Southwest a couple times, but that is basically it. Usually someone comes in and places items on the other two seats in a row.
They're not actually reserving them, they're just trying to cause enough of a fuss that no one wants to deal with that they will get their way.
Edit: You could be strong-willed enough to spar with them on it, but it is so draining most opt to just not engage.
caffinatedkitti · 1d ago
Logistics fall apart when emotions and carry-ons collide.
apothegm · 1d ago
Because it’s optimized for profit instead of efficiency.
I suspect these are the same people that go to a Chipotle and can't decide what they want to order or what toppings they want on it. Even though they've been there a hundred times and they order the exact same thing on their burrito bowl each time for them is a brand new experience of toppings discovery.
People often complain about those in first class or business class, I rarely find them to be the problem. They want to get seated and get that plane moving as fast as possible. It's those who have no concept of how their actions affect and delay others and because they're not in a hurry no one else should be in a hurry.
We've all worked with these people. They're the same kind of people where they're told a feature deadline is in 3 days. They understand that they have some work to complete and three others have work to complete on that same feature. You have plenty of meetings so they know that their work needs to be completed first so the others can complete their work and everyone can hit the deadline in 3 days. All they seem to hear was their work needs to be completed in 3 days and it's not their fault that the other people couldn't make the deadline.
How do you keep track of bin space while accounting for variable luggage sizes and compliance?
But it will soon be academic as open seating will be gone by next year.
They're not actually reserving them, they're just trying to cause enough of a fuss that no one wants to deal with that they will get their way.
Edit: You could be strong-willed enough to spar with them on it, but it is so draining most opt to just not engage.