Kap,
You've obviously never seen a true lo-co in action-
the aerobridge to be positioned
Don't use 'em. Stand offs allow both front and rear stairs to be utilised.
refuellers ready to hook up
Yep, every time. Part of their contract with penalties if they aren't.
Elderly pax, pax travelling with children, disabled passengers, wheelchair pax, passengers who are just plain slow
- Are waiting at the gate for the aircrafts arrival. Check-in closes 40mins before STD even if the aircraft is late.
With flights operating over meal periods, the containers left behind from carry-on food and drinks can treble the cleaning time of the F/A's.
Which meals would they be? None are served. There is the odd soft drink can and chip wrapper (but not that many as the punters have to PAY, even for a coke), which are gathered before landing. I've had FAs reporting "Ready for boarding" within 3 minutes of the last de-plane.
European Lo-Cos schedule 20min turn-arounds (I believe South-west schedule 15) and routinely make them.
Welcome to the Airline business in the 21st century.