Airports and Herd Mentality
Two weeks ago, I traveled to Switzerland to sing the Verdi Requiem under the baton of James Levine. This was an incredible musical experience, as well as a fantastic trip for one such as myself who loves to travel – except where flying is concerned. That is to say, if flying is involved, I love the destination but not the actual journey. Call me a bad Buddhist. I try to apply the ‘in the moment’ approach to the rest of my life, but I sure do hate flying.
Now that I am in my "critique the world" mode, while on this recent trip I couldn’t help but notice something peculiar about human behavior when flying is involved. I cannot think of anywhere else that human beings act more like a herd of cattle (except maybe at a buffet), and it really is a sight to behold. Consider the two following examples…
LINES. In an airport, some waiting must be endured, and the check-in line in the airport lobby (as well as the security checkpoint line) is no exception. This type of line is similar to that found at rock concerts or sporting events, and is mostly unavoidable and necessary. However, while we were waiting at the terminal gate, an announcement was made that all passengers had to present documentation at another desk before boarding commenced. At this point, almost everyone in the terminal hurried to line up and wait to present said documentation.
Now, if you are thinking to yourself, "I’ll be cramped in the steerage compartment of this airplane for the next eight hours, so I’ll take this opportunity to wait in line and stretch my legs," then you are wise. However, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of these people rushed over to the line just because everyone else was rushing over to the line.
Another example of this action that begs scrutiny is the lineup to board the plane. Isn’t it bizarre that as soon as people hear the words, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," they grab their baggage and rush into a line? Listen, people, they are going to board those with special needs and first-class tickets before you, so just sit your economy-class self down and be patient.
As there is a plethora of seats in the waiting area, both of these types of lines are avoidable and unnecessary. In the first case, does it not make more sense to keep an eye on the line and to approach when there are just a few people in line, thereby producing a steadily moving small line? Or, in the second case, to wait until they are actually boarding the row in which you are sitting? If everyone took this approach, we wouldn’t all have to stand around waiting, constantly moving our carry-on baggage a mere 15 inches forward at a time. Alas, our herd mentality has conditioned us to participate in such unnecessary lines.
In itself, these lines are not a problem, save for two exceptions:
1. PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT LINES. If you are standing in a line when you don’t need to and you are the type of person who complains about waiting in lines, then shame on you. Sit down, keep you mouth shut, and wait until the line dies down.
2. The fact that a large group of people with lots of luggage creates a bottleneck in the terminal which is difficult to circumambulate. This is even more noticeable during boarding, as much of the line consists of those with seats in the front of the plane who are just in the way of those who are currently being boarded. This wouldn’t be such a problem if most people weren’t ostensibly oblivious to other people around them.
Personally, I just sat in my seat and complained about the lines (which you are allowed to do if sitting.)
BAGGAGE CLAIM. Why does EVERY passenger feel the need to stand RIGHT in front of the baggage claim conveyorbelt – even before the bags start circulating? The length of the conveyorbelt is not approximate to the number of passengers on a flight. This means that every person on a flight cannot all stand directly in front of the conveyorbelt at the same time. Which means that if EVERY person rushes to stand in front, there is once again a bottleneck, which gets worse with each piece of heavy luggage pulled off the conveyorbelt. Just stand back! You need to allow space for the luggage being pulled off!
This bottleneck also creates sight line issues. It is difficult to see if a bag is yours when there is a mob of people standing in front of you. Actually, it’s difficult to even see any bags! Does this sound familiar to anyone: standing on your tip-toes to see over the shoulders of the people in front of you, or peering through the small space in between two people to see the bags? And then there’s that rushed feeling of jerking up your luggage before it gets away from you, as you have little room to maneuver. I am a fairly laid back person, and don’t rush to get a good spot at the conveyorbelt. As a result, I always have to push through a crowd to get my bag, and then end up bumping into people with my luggage once I get my bag. I guess it serves them right. They should give a little breathing room.
How’s this for an idea… why don’t we all stand back away from the conveyorbelt. Then, EVERYONE will be able to see ALL the bags, and then when you see your bags coming through, you can move forward and easily retrieve them?
Ultimately, the problem is that in airports (and in many other public places), people seem to have the need to be first – first in line, first to get your bags – all at the expense of fluidity and order. This is a problem of either ego or impatience, both of which are problematic when you live in proximity to lots of other people. Maybe we all need to learn to get over ourselves or learn to relax. God forbid we have to wait an extra three minutes for our luggage to come around again.
Now that I am in my "critique the world" mode, while on this recent trip I couldn’t help but notice something peculiar about human behavior when flying is involved. I cannot think of anywhere else that human beings act more like a herd of cattle (except maybe at a buffet), and it really is a sight to behold. Consider the two following examples…
LINES. In an airport, some waiting must be endured, and the check-in line in the airport lobby (as well as the security checkpoint line) is no exception. This type of line is similar to that found at rock concerts or sporting events, and is mostly unavoidable and necessary. However, while we were waiting at the terminal gate, an announcement was made that all passengers had to present documentation at another desk before boarding commenced. At this point, almost everyone in the terminal hurried to line up and wait to present said documentation.
Now, if you are thinking to yourself, "I’ll be cramped in the steerage compartment of this airplane for the next eight hours, so I’ll take this opportunity to wait in line and stretch my legs," then you are wise. However, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of these people rushed over to the line just because everyone else was rushing over to the line.
Another example of this action that begs scrutiny is the lineup to board the plane. Isn’t it bizarre that as soon as people hear the words, "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," they grab their baggage and rush into a line? Listen, people, they are going to board those with special needs and first-class tickets before you, so just sit your economy-class self down and be patient.
As there is a plethora of seats in the waiting area, both of these types of lines are avoidable and unnecessary. In the first case, does it not make more sense to keep an eye on the line and to approach when there are just a few people in line, thereby producing a steadily moving small line? Or, in the second case, to wait until they are actually boarding the row in which you are sitting? If everyone took this approach, we wouldn’t all have to stand around waiting, constantly moving our carry-on baggage a mere 15 inches forward at a time. Alas, our herd mentality has conditioned us to participate in such unnecessary lines.
In itself, these lines are not a problem, save for two exceptions:
1. PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT LINES. If you are standing in a line when you don’t need to and you are the type of person who complains about waiting in lines, then shame on you. Sit down, keep you mouth shut, and wait until the line dies down.
2. The fact that a large group of people with lots of luggage creates a bottleneck in the terminal which is difficult to circumambulate. This is even more noticeable during boarding, as much of the line consists of those with seats in the front of the plane who are just in the way of those who are currently being boarded. This wouldn’t be such a problem if most people weren’t ostensibly oblivious to other people around them.
Personally, I just sat in my seat and complained about the lines (which you are allowed to do if sitting.)
BAGGAGE CLAIM. Why does EVERY passenger feel the need to stand RIGHT in front of the baggage claim conveyorbelt – even before the bags start circulating? The length of the conveyorbelt is not approximate to the number of passengers on a flight. This means that every person on a flight cannot all stand directly in front of the conveyorbelt at the same time. Which means that if EVERY person rushes to stand in front, there is once again a bottleneck, which gets worse with each piece of heavy luggage pulled off the conveyorbelt. Just stand back! You need to allow space for the luggage being pulled off!
This bottleneck also creates sight line issues. It is difficult to see if a bag is yours when there is a mob of people standing in front of you. Actually, it’s difficult to even see any bags! Does this sound familiar to anyone: standing on your tip-toes to see over the shoulders of the people in front of you, or peering through the small space in between two people to see the bags? And then there’s that rushed feeling of jerking up your luggage before it gets away from you, as you have little room to maneuver. I am a fairly laid back person, and don’t rush to get a good spot at the conveyorbelt. As a result, I always have to push through a crowd to get my bag, and then end up bumping into people with my luggage once I get my bag. I guess it serves them right. They should give a little breathing room.
How’s this for an idea… why don’t we all stand back away from the conveyorbelt. Then, EVERYONE will be able to see ALL the bags, and then when you see your bags coming through, you can move forward and easily retrieve them?
Ultimately, the problem is that in airports (and in many other public places), people seem to have the need to be first – first in line, first to get your bags – all at the expense of fluidity and order. This is a problem of either ego or impatience, both of which are problematic when you live in proximity to lots of other people. Maybe we all need to learn to get over ourselves or learn to relax. God forbid we have to wait an extra three minutes for our luggage to come around again.
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