Get in line to wait
Last week I flew out of town to a conference and was reminded of a sight that I notice every time I fly. After I check in and find my gate I like to sit and relax for a minute. I people-watch and make a few phone calls. As the time draws near to board, people start standing up and then it happens. After the first class passengers and frequent flyers, the gate "keepers" announce that boarding will begin soon. Instantaneously there is a rush right up to the barrier line or rope. Then, comes the announcement that they will be boarding from back to front beginning with the last rows, where my ticket inevitably says my seat is. All of us once a year travelers weave through the slalom course of suitcases, knocking over a few, fumbling for our boarding pass and ID before we get to the gate attendant. Once we hear, "Have a nice flight," we walk about 30 feet to encounter a line waiting to board the plane. It seems like this line moves about an inch a minute. Once on the plane, I'm caught standing again waiting between the seats staring at seated people who must be thinking something. Those ahead of me are stowing their luggage in the overhead compartments where they can find them. Once stowed they have to work their way back through the line of people to find their seat. Is it A or B? I think I'm in F… Finally, at my seat I can't help but wonder about the necessity of hurrying to sit in that. It is half as big as it should be but I proceed to fold up in between the arm rests. Is it a patience issue? Why all of the frenetic line making and the fast forward to get a ticket punched only to wait, take a step and wait some more and then sit, uncomfortably at best. Fly. Arrive. Moreover, at the gate it is everyone for themselves again before the door can open!