Comments on: Faster boarding with an astrophysicist’s touch http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:18:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: mps247 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20475 mps247 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:41:21 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20475 As somebody who works in the field (particle physics, not public transport management), it is nice to see somebody applying these principles in an attempt to solve a problem that has little to do with smashing particles together. I was under the impression that the random boarding policies of budget carriers like easyJet and Ryanair were efficient because passengers would turn up to the departure gate early, hoping to be the first to board so that they could get a good seat. It seems as though the actual random process of passengers selecting their own seats also helps. Of course, there is something to be said for having a seat number before getting on the plane. If I had a choice, I would prefer to board slowly, safe in the knowledge that my aisle seat was waiting just for me. As somebody who works in the field (particle physics, not public transport management), it is nice to see somebody applying these principles in an attempt to solve a problem that has little to do with smashing particles together.

I was under the impression that the random boarding policies of budget carriers like easyJet and Ryanair were efficient because passengers would turn up to the departure gate early, hoping to be the first to board so that they could get a good seat. It seems as though the actual random process of passengers selecting their own seats also helps.

Of course, there is something to be said for having a seat number before getting on the plane. If I had a choice, I would prefer to board slowly, safe in the knowledge that my aisle seat was waiting just for me.

]]> By: sam http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20472 sam Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:38:42 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20472 This all sounds good, but unless they get rid of the whole priority boarding situation - first/business class, families with children, anyone with elite status being allowed to board whenever they want - none of it is going to be efficient. Don't get me wrong. When I'm flying business class, I very much like to get on the plane early, but I'm inevitably in the way of someone who has to trek through business to get to their coach seat. This all sounds good, but unless they get rid of the whole priority boarding situation - first/business class, families with children, anyone with elite status being allowed to board whenever they want - none of it is going to be efficient.

Don’t get me wrong. When I’m flying business class, I very much like to get on the plane early, but I’m inevitably in the way of someone who has to trek through business to get to their coach seat.

]]> By: From the Mind of J http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20468 From the Mind of J Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:01:48 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/03/16/faster-boarding-with-an-astrophysicists-touch/#comment-20468 It's all well and good that they're working on this, but there are a bunch of other things they should be spending their time/money on. It’s all well and good that they’re working on this, but there are a bunch of other things they should be spending their time/money on.

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