Is the problem the increased amount of hand baggage? Boarding times have increased over the years as has the space on overhead lockers. Is this linked? Should airlines be looking to limit overhead bin space to 80%? In my experience U.S. airlines load by status so that the frequent flyers get the storage space. This is may be correct from a commercial vantage, operationally it is terrible. Can anyone tell me what the cost is of an aircraft on the gate not going anywhere? In the U.S. crew are paid by the flight hour and the only fuel cost is ground power so maybe not that high. European low cost airlines like boarding from the front & rear, in U.S. gate use is almost universal. Has anyone worked out if it might be cost effective to have two jetties for narrow bodied aircraft? I'm sure that it is possible though it might need a lot of rebuilding. Schiphol has multiple jetties for wide bodied aircraft at some piers with some being able to access doors further down the fuselage.