Gatwick trial cuts plane boarding time by 10%
As others have mentioned, this system (common sense) has been around the block a few times before. I'm sure that either United or American were doing this in the 90's in the USA to much fanfare. Considering how much time, cost and frustration is involved in boarding and de-boarding in one day, in one airport alone, it does make you wonder where the thinkers and implementers have gone.
Forget "systems". It all comes down to passengers not preparing themselves in advance, same as security lines. Prior to reaching the aircraft I have taken out anything I need whilst seated. When I reach my seat I place those items on the seat and immediately proceed to place bag (and coat if applicable) in the overhead locker and taking my seat without delay. Same goes with security, I prepare as much as possible in advance whilst I watch people wait until actually at the belt before starting the process.
Because the airlines have encouraged "hand luggage only" flights (both BA and EZ) but there isn't enough overhead space for everybody to take a roll-on. That means there is a stampeded for the aeroplane (or more and more speedy boarders) to try and get what space is available. I'm now finding that when Mrs G and I book "up front" some even speedier boarder has put their carry on at the front of the bus and gone to a cheaper seat at the back.
I would love to go back in a time machine and see how Southwest managed their ten minute turnarounds - although they became 20 min turnarounds in due course. I suspect that lighter loads and much less baggage helped. US carriers now prioritise loading according to fare paid / status, etc presumably to give priority to bin space. This results in chaos and prolonged turnaround times. Where WILMA will help is people sitting in aisle seats having to get up to allow those in window seats to sit down.
I arrived at AMS on a KLM 737 last month and passengers were allowed to alight from the rear exit by stair. I have also alighted from the rear of a wide body but by jetty. Could at both reducing turnaround time and helping pax make connections.
Incidently could anyone from easyJet, or any relevant airline quote my the difference in turnaround time at an airport such as LGW or GVA where planes are loaded from a single airbridge and airports where two sets of stairs are used.
I arrived at AMS on a KLM 737 last month and passengers were allowed to alight from the rear exit by stair. I have also alighted from the rear of a wide body but by jetty. Could at both reducing turnaround time and helping pax make connections.
Incidently could anyone from easyJet, or any relevant airline quote my the difference in turnaround time at an airport such as LGW or GVA where planes are loaded from a single airbridge and airports where two sets of stairs are used.
2 sets of steps always speeds things up, plus you can get the fuel pumping on too straight away - Ryanair love 2 sets of steps - when it works and everyone is doing their job on the turnaround then its all easy peasy -
A good traffic officer/dispatcher, the ramp guys and gate staff - a good well co-ordinated team can turn a 737 around in 25-30 minutes without stress plus a smile from Skipper and No.1...
Been there, done that, got the Uniform, gold buttons and 4 stripes lol - loved my job but was always amazed at the shear chaos that some of my colleagues manged to create...
PS
turned a DC-9 round at LHR T1 on B2 in 5 minutes with Capt Tony Belcher the BD339/340 MME - 90 pax in and 90 pax out plus 2 on the jump seats to make it out before the LHR jet ban at 22.59
still got the memo from Toad Hall thanking me and us all
A good traffic officer/dispatcher, the ramp guys and gate staff - a good well co-ordinated team can turn a 737 around in 25-30 minutes without stress plus a smile from Skipper and No.1...
Been there, done that, got the Uniform, gold buttons and 4 stripes lol - loved my job but was always amazed at the shear chaos that some of my colleagues manged to create...
PS
turned a DC-9 round at LHR T1 on B2 in 5 minutes with Capt Tony Belcher the BD339/340 MME - 90 pax in and 90 pax out plus 2 on the jump seats to make it out before the LHR jet ban at 22.59
still got the memo from Toad Hall thanking me and us all
Paxing All Over The World
Thread Starter
Today I visited a small shop with limited parking space - so I parked around the corner.
- The man in the queue in front of me was doing a large shop and was fairly switched on in arranging items at the till - he was in his 70s, I'd guess. BUT once the attendent had carefully packed all the frozen food items in the large strong carrier he had brought - he THEN brough out x4 flat ice-packs that he wanted to place in the carrier. So a number of items had to be unpacked. Further, the outdoor temperature was only 14 degrees and this was local shopping, so ice packs not needed.
- The woman who came in after me, (late 50s, early 60s) found there was no parking spot available so parked half on the pavement and half in the busy road - across a Yellow Line. She spent the time hopping back and forth to see if she was going to get a ticket.
It's so true that if the travellers are switched on, then it all goes smoothly, but as we all know people often leave their normal thinking processes at the door of the terminal. I guess a good bit of edumacation is needed, perhaps a few minute video just before final confirmation of the booking on a website ?
Forget "systems". It all comes down to passengers not preparing themselves in advance, same as security lines. Prior to reaching the aircraft I have taken out anything I need whilst seated. When I reach my seat I place those items on the seat and immediately proceed to place bag (and coat if applicable) in the overhead locker and taking my seat without delay. Same goes with security, I prepare as much as possible in advance whilst I watch people wait until actually at the belt before starting the process.
Τhere is very very little available place to arrange liquids electronics and stuff before security. Usually the first available space is just before the machine.
turned a DC-9 round at LHR T1 on B2 in 5 minutes with Capt Tony Belcher
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As I approach security coins, keys and mobile get transferred from my pockets to the side pocket of my carry-on bag, removing my belt buckle, now that is something that needs to wait until I am asked to remove it.
The thing that gives it away is when the gate agent says “Please remain seated at this time” and everyone gets up and heads for the gate in a cluster. Just think how dim the average punter is and plan your processes accordingly. Oh.and don’t forget that 50% of your customers are going to be dimmer....
It's so true that if the travellers are switched on, then it all goes smoothly, but as we all know people often leave their normal thinking processes at the door of the terminal. I guess a good bit of education is needed, perhaps a few minute video just before final confirmation of the booking on a website ?
BTW I had a colleague at BMA LHR in our Traffic Office - lovely guy (sadly I heard he passed on way too soon) and his nickname we gave him was spring heeled jack - why? cos he walked with a lively spring in his step - We all had nick names at BMA, but I am not revealing mine here LOL
Anyways back to the program-
I'm afraid most pax are not 'switched on' - They are sheep and have to guided by Collie dogs - In this case the Collies are good ground staff that have their team together to round up the sheep into the correct pens PDQ -
Folk dont even pay attention to the safety video let alone a 'how to board a plane' video when they but their tickets...Plus how many languages will we need to play it back for? LOL
Tony Belcher BMA 5 minute turnarounds at LHR
He was the first skipper I met on my first day at BMA LHR in 1977 - He was on DC-9's by then -
He also went on the 707-320C for 1982-84 when we had 3 707's as 211 seat holiday jets going down to the MED and Transatlantic on IT charters - he loved that
Go over to Where are they now, and you will find a nice Obituary.
Thank you for that info rog747. Thread drift: It was in 74 and 75 when on several occasions he was the Captain on BMA flights I traveled on. I ended up spending quite a lot of time on the F/D with him. My parents also flew with BMA and one day my mother took it upon herself to ask for a visit to the F/D. Guess who the skipper was? Some months later it was my father, and yes it was Tony again! Pure coincidence, but as he said himself, he got to meet most of the [BRUpax] family 
Lufthansa Group reinvents the wheel with Group Boarding.
Starting 7 Nov (oops, that's the first day of the cabin crew strike...), they'll board passengers on shorthaul flights thus
Pre-Boarding: Families with babies and toddlers under 5, unaccompanied children & travellers with reduced mobility
Group 1: HON Circle Member, Senator & Star Alliance Gold Cardholder
Group 2: Business Class & Economy Flex Travelers
Group 3: Economy class travellers with window seat + company
Group 4: Economy class travellers with middle seats + company
Group 5: Economy class travellers with aisle seat
They've tried it before, it didn't work (as ever, the entire gate lounge claimed to be Business Class or - at worst - Group 2..) and unless they have clear signage indicating which group is currently boarding (and cattleprods to maintain a semblance of order), it'll die a death.
Starting 7 Nov (oops, that's the first day of the cabin crew strike...), they'll board passengers on shorthaul flights thus
Pre-Boarding: Families with babies and toddlers under 5, unaccompanied children & travellers with reduced mobility
Group 1: HON Circle Member, Senator & Star Alliance Gold Cardholder
Group 2: Business Class & Economy Flex Travelers
Group 3: Economy class travellers with window seat + company
Group 4: Economy class travellers with middle seats + company
Group 5: Economy class travellers with aisle seat
They've tried it before, it didn't work (as ever, the entire gate lounge claimed to be Business Class or - at worst - Group 2..) and unless they have clear signage indicating which group is currently boarding (and cattleprods to maintain a semblance of order), it'll die a death.
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Lufthansa Group reinvents the wheel with Group Boarding.
Starting 7 Nov (oops, that's the first day of the cabin crew strike...), they'll board passengers on shorthaul flights thus
Pre-Boarding: Families with babies and toddlers under 5, unaccompanied children & travellers with reduced mobility
Group 1: HON Circle Member, Senator & Star Alliance Gold Cardholder
Group 2: Business Class & Economy Flex Travelers
Group 3: Economy class travellers with window seat + company
Group 4: Economy class travellers with middle seats + company
Group 5: Economy class travellers with aisle seat
They've tried it before, it didn't work (as ever, the entire gate lounge claimed to be Business Class or - at worst - Group 2..) and unless they have clear signage indicating which group is currently boarding (and cattleprods to maintain a semblance of order), it'll die a death.
Starting 7 Nov (oops, that's the first day of the cabin crew strike...), they'll board passengers on shorthaul flights thus
Pre-Boarding: Families with babies and toddlers under 5, unaccompanied children & travellers with reduced mobility
Group 1: HON Circle Member, Senator & Star Alliance Gold Cardholder
Group 2: Business Class & Economy Flex Travelers
Group 3: Economy class travellers with window seat + company
Group 4: Economy class travellers with middle seats + company
Group 5: Economy class travellers with aisle seat
They've tried it before, it didn't work (as ever, the entire gate lounge claimed to be Business Class or - at worst - Group 2..) and unless they have clear signage indicating which group is currently boarding (and cattleprods to maintain a semblance of order), it'll die a death.
They have mechanical gates at some airports. You could try programming the gates to recognise the various groups (pre-boarding would have to be manual) but it could be complicated - you would have to link passengers travelling together. Maybe worth a try.
Last edited by Peter47; 30th Nov 2019 at 07:15.