Tests show fastest way to board passenger planes

[Dreadnaught]

FFS we can only hope this practice will go mainstream. I'm sick of aircraft boarding done by zone (which was flagged for being the worst) and flyer status.

31 August 2011 Last updated at 04:44 ET

Tests show fastest way to board

By Jason Palmer
Science and technology reporter, BBC News


The most common way of boarding passenger planes is among the least efficient, tests have shown.

The best method has been the subject of study for years but now various approaches have been put to the test.

Boarding those in window seats first followed by middle and aisle seats results in a 40% gain in efficiency.

However, an approach called the Steffen method, alternating rows in the window-middle-aisle strategy, nearly doubles boarding speed.

The approach is named after Jason Steffen, an astrophysicist at Fermi National Laboratory in Illinois, US. Dr Steffen first considered the thorny problem of plane boarding in 2008, when he found himself in a long boarding queue.

He carried out a number of computer simulations to determine a better method than the typical "rear of the plane forwards" approach, publishing the results in the Journal of Air Transport Management.

Several authors had already proposed an order in which those seated in window seats boarded first, followed by middle seats and then aisle seats - dubbed the Wilma method. But Dr Steffen's best results suggested a variant of this.

He suggested boarding in alternate rows, window seats first, progressing from the rear forward: seats 12A, for example, followed by 10A, 8A and so on, then returning for 9A, 7A, 5A and so on, and then filling the middle and aisle seats in the same way.

The approach avoids a situation in which passengers are struggling to use the same physical space at the same time.

Only now, though, has the idea been put to the test. Jon Hotchkiss, a television producer making a show called This v That, began to consider the same problem of boarding efficiency and came across Dr Steffen's work.

Mr Hotchkiss contacted Dr Steffen, offering to test the idea using a mock-up of a 757 aeroplane in Hollywood and 72 luggage-toting volunteers.

The pair tested five different scenarios: "block" boarding in groups of rows from back to front, one by one from back to front, the "Wilma method", the Steffen method, and completely random boarding.

In all cases, parent-child pairs were permitted to board first - reflecting the fact that regardless of the efficiency of any boarding method, families will likely want to stay together.

The block approach fared worst, with the strict back-to-front approach not much better.

Interestingly, a completely random boarding - as practised by several low-cost airlines that have unallocated seating - fared much better, presumably because it randomly avoids space conflicts.

But the Wilma method and the Steffen method were clear winners; while the block approach required nearly seven minutes to seat the passengers, the Steffen method took just over half that time.

Dr Steffen said that broadly, the results aligned with the predictions he made in 2008.

"As far as the actual amount of time it took to fill the plane, the times didn't agree - because I didn't know how long it took people to put their luggage away and walk down the aisle," he told BBC News.

"The basic conclusions I drew were realised; the method I proposed did the best, and the other ones landed where I would've predicted."

Dr Steffen will now get back to his usual work, putting together plans to find planets around other stars using the Kepler space telescope. But he hopes that commercial airlines will take an interest in his approach - especially given that he estimates it could save them millions.

"I haven't received a phone call yet, but the day is young, so maybe that will change," he said.

Source: Al-BBC

[RandBlade]

I think by flyer status is sensible.

The zone system is not though, I like the fact that purely random beats zones.

[Dreadnaught]

Flyer status is a nice reward, except often the airlines have so many different tiers of flyer status. Over here, Delta mixes zones and flyer status. So some people with certain tickets and status go first, followed by toddlers/parents, followed by another tier. It's basically just a inconsistent mush of people with status or first/business class seats.

[wiggin]

Flyer status only is worthwhile IMO if you're either an absolute top tier customer or you paid more for your ticket (i.e. even for general seating, airlines like Southwest offer perks to business travelers who buy more expensive and flexible tickets). My wife flies a specific budget airline a lot - 2-3 times a week - and gets these perks, which are definitely worth it for someone who travels that frequently. She also has fancy status on some international carriers that offer it to their business customers.

On other airlines, especially the fancier ones, it's a ridiculous mishmash. The laundry list of different statuses they reel off when you're boarding a United or American flight is pretty ridiculous. Restrict it to the real big spenders and leave everyone else with the proletariat.

I can't imagine that this Steffen guy is the first one to run the simulation, though. I've thought about this problem a lot, and I'm sure many engineers have. Given the sheer amount of money involved in the airline industry, and the vast savings you can make by finessing your operations, I find it likely that airlines have thought of this problem. To be honest, I've thought of a number of algorithms that would probably quickly converge to a reasonable solution on my dinky little computer, let alone the sophisticated models they could run at an airline.

My guess is that airlines don't adopt this for two reasons. One might be that it simply doesn't matter - much as passengers are annoyed at the boarding process, rarely is it boarding time that limits turn-around time for a plane. (I have some anecdotal evidence that this isn't always true, but it's possible they have detailed models showing that most of the time it isn't worth the effort.) Also, last minute seat changes and such could potentially throw a wrench into this setup, though there's easy policies you can institute to get around that problem. The other potential reason they don't do this is because they think passengers won't like it. I'm not sure why they would feel that way, but it's possible airlines have experimented with small groups and decided that their managed boarding - however flawed - is what customers like best. Southwest is probably best known in the US for using 'random' boarding (essentially tied to the time you check in online), but they have no seat assignments so that probably slows down the process as people will go for front seats first (and then choose windows, aisles, and finally rear middle seats). A smarter idea would be to give seat assignments, but randomize the boarding process. Hell, since they already have a numbered boarding system (each person gets a unique place in line), it makes sense to do an even more complex solution than the Steffen solution.

I'm curious about whether they've instituted clever algorithms to board the A380. I know it takes a ridiculous amount of time to get a 747 boarded, largely because they board front to back and all enter from a single door (for those of you who've been fortunate to disembark a 747 through multiple doors, you'll agree it's a far faster way to deplane). With the A380, though, you'd think they'd at least do something with the double-decker nature given the sheer number of people boarding the plane. Anyone flown one yet and have some thoughts?

[Aimless]

This is similar to the discussion about the most efficient way to queue at the grocery store.



According to the video, customers find the most efficient method to be irritating.

The free market is definitely the best.

[Dreadnaught]

That's interesting...

When it comes to planes though, there certainly is some experimentation and variability. After all, in China they just line up randomly and board. I just tend not to see radical experimentation beyond our Southwest Airlines, which just boards people in blocks and tells them to sit wherever they want.

[wiggin]

This is similar to the discussion about the most efficient way to queue at the grocery store.

According to the video, customers find the most efficient method to be irritating.

The free market is definitely the best.

Actually, that model assumes you can't predict which lines are likely to be slower, when you normally can (this works very well at airport security: avoid families, old people, etc. Get behind: salesmen, business travelers, etc. Avoid any of the Rapiscan machines if possible, or time your entrance to the magnetometer just after someone goes in so you get waved past). Obviously the optimum solution is to have a single queue that parcels out to a variety of 'agents', but I doubt it's 3X faster in reality. Furthermore, for large banks of cash registers/desks/whatever, there's some transaction time involved in noticing a line is open and walking to it.

I'm not really sure if it's a customer problem, though. There are a number of places where people form precisely those sorts of queues - most government offices (e.g. the DMV/MVA, post office, etc.), the deli counter/bakery ('take a number'), some stores (Marshall's comes to mind, but I do hate shopping there, so maybe not the best example). I don't notice people getting too agitated about those line setups any more than they do about grocery stores.

What really gets me is the scams that grocery stores run wrt line design. For example, 'express' lanes are rarely that - they often use less experienced/slower cashiers, and there's a certain fixed transaction time that you're stuck with... so sitting behind one person with a full cart may often be faster than sitting behind 6 people with 10 items a piece. Then there's the 'self checkout' lines that are slower than a real cashier, break half the time (requiring you to wait for an employee to fix the problem), and are just a way for them to reduce their headcount at no substantial benefit to the customer. Grr.

[Lebanese Dragon]

I think initially there will be some hesitance to seeing that "super long line" at a grocery store however once they see the pace, I don't think the system will keep that negative first impression. However, the system will be hurtful for those who are observant and switch lines becaues they notice they can get by faster at a different line...

On the plane issue, steffans solution makes sense. It makes sure people aren't slowing eachother by being in one anothers way initially walking to your seat, and that again you're not in eachothers way (taking up the same space) when you're spending time putting luggage up and going back to your seat (hence the alternating rows). It's neat, but I don't think it's too profound of realization.

I think someone mentioned many times the boarding time isn't the time constraint for take off.

[GGT]

Banks use Combined Queue. People don't complain because we can't tell who's going to be time-consuming (like we can in a grocery store behind people with full carts, or airports with young kids/elderly).

Boarding planes would be super easy if they'd simply get rid of overhead bins altogether. That's the time-sucker, not how the plane is boarded. If it can't fit under the seat in front of you, it's not a "carry-on" and has to be checked. But they'd have to make off-loading luggage more efficient than it is now.

I like the smaller planes that will take a bag right at the plane door, tag it and pack it in the belly, then have it right there for pick-up after landing. No baggage claim carousels that mean delays and waiting.

[Wraith]

Then there's the 'self checkout' lines that are slower than a real cashier, break half the time (requiring you to wait for an employee to fix the problem), and are just a way for them to reduce their headcount at no substantial benefit to the customer. Grr.

I like those because most people are reluctant to use them, which usually means no line to compensate for a slower ring up time, I don't have to make small talk with anyone, and I've got usage of the things down so that I'm almost as fast as a cashier with them and know how to keep them from calling an attendant.

[wiggin]

I like those because most people are reluctant to use them, which usually means no line to compensate for a slower ring up time, I don't have to make small talk with anyone, and I've got usage of the things down so that I'm almost as fast as a cashier with them and know how to keep them from calling an attendant.

Yeah, I use them sometimes as well. But I don't kid myself that it's being done as a favor to me.

My big pet peeve is if you have something very light (say a small spice packet or whatever), it won't register on the conveyor belt's weight sensors, and it'll register a fault no matter what you do. Similarly, certain obscure items sometimes aren't entered correctly in their inventory, and it returns an error. I can get better at scanning items, using produce codes, etc... but there's nothing I can do about actual faults in their software system.

[GGT]

That's why some stores dedicate one cashier to monitor the self-check-out registers. If they're good, they reset the damn scales and scanners for a small spice packet...or a heavy box of cat litter...that messes up their robo-scanner, and you don't even have to ask for help. If they're bad, you have to wait around for someone with a master code card to swipe and reset at your specific register.

[GGT]

Another thing that I've wondered about....for the elderly, disabled, or families with small children that need assistance or a longer boarding time....since those are things denoted when buying the ticket, why aren't their boarding instructions automatically about 20-30 minutes earlier than the rest of the plane, and printed that way on their boarding pass? Why isn't that done? They'd arrive earlier, go through security earlier, and be boarded earlier. Even when planes are late to land or refuel for their next connection. The last thing they should want is someone in arriving in a golf cart or with a wheelchair pusher, right at "boarding time".

[GGT]

Sorry for the double postings....but on another angle about flying efficiency---do Travel Agents still exist? I haven't seen a Travel Agency office in years. Suppose the internet replaced them all, but maybe we really DO need them after all? Was thinking of flying Gram or Gramps alone to Florida or Phoenix, trying to get the best fare, only to find out they had three connections and it took them all damn day with special wheelchair or oxygen needs (that got all fucked up). Then they've missed a couple of meals and their meds are out of whack (insulin especially) and end up fussy or confused in flight. When it may have been better to pay more to get a direct flight, or one with a special meal they can pre-order, well, who the hell is helping them with that?

[RandBlade]

I find self-checkout far, far, far faster than normal queues and unless I'm buying a full trolley I almost always whizz through those. Picking up only a couple of items? I can normally get to a self-checkout without any queue or problems at all.

[Flixy]

Self checkout here you have to scan stuff as you put it in your cart, at the checkout just turn the scanner in, and proceed to pay. Super quick, and it has never failed on me. Downside is you don't get to flirt with cute girls at the counter.

[RandBlade]

Sainsbury's trialed that years ago where I used to live (don't know if they still have it in some stores). Worked really fast, just had randomised checks to see if you'd scanned everything.

[Flixy]

Yup, same here. And there's always one person standing by, to check if people buying alcohol are old enough (and they do the random checks).

Works well, and it's spreading to more shops so I'm thinking the store likes it too. I suppose more gets stolen, but that they save more on cashiers than they lose on that.

[wiggin]

I find self-checkout far, far, far faster than normal queues and unless I'm buying a full trolley I almost always whizz through those. Picking up only a couple of items? I can normally get to a self-checkout without any queue or problems at all.

Maybe self-checkout in the UK is just somewhat less retarded than the setup in the US? Either that, or the UK stores have really cut back on checkout personnel to the point that normal lines are unreasonably long. The machines here are very frustrating to use; on about 30-40% of the times I use self-checkout I have at least one item that needs an employee to do their shtick... so really not 'self' checkout at all. Yeah, the better stores might have someone monitoring the lanes at certain hours, but it's a bit hit and miss.

It's also possible that since I already try to optimize my grocery shopping for low-traffic times, the cost/benefit analysis is different than yours.

Self checkout here you have to scan stuff as you put it in your cart, at the checkout just turn the scanner in, and proceed to pay. Super quick, and it has never failed on me. Downside is you don't get to flirt with cute girls at the counter.

They've been trialing that at Giant, haven't tried it yet... but most self-checkouts in the US aren't like that.

[Timbuk2]

Maybe self-checkout in the UK is just somewhat less retarded than the setup in the US? Either that, or the UK stores have really cut back on checkout personnel to the point that normal lines are unreasonably long. The machines here are very frustrating to use; on about 30-40% of the times I use self-checkout I have at least one item that needs an employee to do their shtick... so really not 'self' checkout at all.

My experience with UK self-checkout sounds similar to yours in the US; 30% - 40% of the time I seem to come across an item that just won't scan - needing the employee and their key code to sort me out, which takes a while.

Plus, I always buy fresh fruit and veg, and it takes a while to navigate through to the right item on the till, then select it, then weigh it etc, which takes a while. Check-out chicks do it 10x faster.

Plus x2, I often buy alkyhol deals from supermarkets, and you can't self-check these items due to age restrictions without an employee coming and checking your age then inputting their key-code. Which takes a while.

Plus x3, the volume on those tills is always at a screechingly high level; PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM BEEEEEEP PLEASE RESCAN PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG which drives me fucking mental.

Sooooo ... I don't bother with self-checkout. It's much slower and much more irritating. IME

[Flixy]

My experience with UK self-checkout sounds similar to yours in the US; 30% - 40% of the time I seem to come across an item that just won't scan - needing the employee and their key code to sort me out, which takes a while.

Plus, I always buy fresh fruit and veg, and it takes a while to navigate through to the right item on the till, then select it, then weigh it etc, which takes a while. Check-out chicks do it 10x faster.

Plus x2, I often buy alkyhol deals from supermarkets, and you can't self-check these items due to age restrictions without an employee coming and checking your age then inputting their key-code. Which takes a while.

Plus x3, the volume on those tills is always at a screechingly high level; PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM BEEEEEEP PLEASE RESCAN PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG which drives me fucking mental.

Sooooo ... I don't bother with self-checkout. It's much slower and much more irritating. IME

How does your self checkout work then? BTW, over here in about half the supermarkets even at normal counters you have to weigh your fruits/vegetables yourself already, they just sometimes check if the weight matches the label. Beats young cashiers who don't know one type of apple from another, or can't find the proper code, etc...

x2 over here just a light blinks, they look, and if you are obviously old enough (like I am), they just press a button where they are and you can proceed without a hitch and no slowing down at all. Otherwise they walk over, ask for ID, and then you proceed.


x3 The volume is a bit annoying, but since you have already scanned everything in our setup, it doesn't say much beyond "Please select your mode of payment" "Thank you and goodbye" - but it's still annoying.

[RandBlade]

My experience with UK self-checkout sounds similar to yours in the US; 30% - 40% of the time I seem to come across an item that just won't scan - needing the employee and their key code to sort me out, which takes a while.

I would put it closer to 5% IMO.

Plus x2, I often buy alkyhol deals from supermarkets, and you can't self-check these items due to age restrictions without an employee coming and checking your age then inputting their key-code. Which takes a while.

True, but I scan those early so it flashes that I need assistance, continue and by the time that I've finished the assistant has already dealt with that.

Plus x3, the volume on those tills is always at a screechingly high level; PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG PLEASE SCAN THE NEXT ITEM BEEEEEEP PLEASE RESCAN PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG which drives me fucking mental.

Sooooo ... I don't bother with self-checkout. It's much slower and much more irritating. IME

ASDA can be hideous with that. Tesco's are much better, have the volume set much lower, the tolerance is better (it waits longer before saying to put it in the bag) and after midnight its almost muted.

[Loki]

I've tried it about 5 times as an Asda, and it broke down 3...Not a large sample size, but 5% doesn't sound accurate.

[CitizenCain]

Meh. Personally, I find an extra few minutes of boarding time to be the absolute least of my complaints about air travel. These days, I'm more put off by the forced pron or molestations, the hours of wasted time on security theater and the fact that our retarded government is 40 years behind the times, so I can't even deal with it by throwing on some headphones and closing my eyes for the duration of the ordeal.

They deal with that shit, and maybe I could be bothered to care about shaving 200 seconds off of my boarding experience.

[Nessus]

I like those because most people are reluctant to use them, which usually means no line to compensate for a slower ring up time, I don't have to make small talk with anyone,

What counts as 'small talk' in this context? The routine cash register experience here is "hello thank you" from both parties, anything more is just...Crazy!

[littlelolligagged]

What counts as 'small talk' in this context? The routine cash register experience here is "hello thank you" from both parties, anything more is just...Crazy!

Cashiers here are extremely chatty. It drives me bonkers.

[Nessus]

I've said it before an' I'll say it again, you are one diseased, horrifying nation

[Ominous Gamer]

Walmart tried the self checkout idea, pulled them after about a year. Far more hassle than they were worth. They use a "speedy" check out design now. No belt, just your cart, a counter and an employee. Works well enough.

Used to love the self checkout design, except when I had to buy computer stuff (need ID), throat drops (need ID), or video games (need ID). Never had a problem with the scanner not working.


Ikea and Home Depot still use the self checkouts, never had an issue with them; Ikea even has a gun you can use. I'm always at home depot, but I only end up at Ikea once a month or so.

[Flixy]

Cashiers here are extremely chatty. It drives me bonkers.

Over here they only are with people they know, and only in smaller towns.

[Loki]

Walmart tried the self checkout idea, pulled them after about a year. Far more hassle than they were worth. They use a "speedy" check out design now. No belt, just your cart, a counter and an employee. Works well enough.

Tesco Express has done that for years.