Are you under the impression that “controlling computers” aren’t already in use in the centre that co-ordinate ramp operations, and also aware that things like Start up times and associated runway slots can change at the drop of a hat?...and that’s just the departing stuff.

An ideal arrival stand plan, perhaps in part already generated with the assistance of a computer be stuffed by a jetty breaking down....it’s something along the lines of a tactical plan never surviving first contact with the enemy....and once it goes off plan the human being comes into his/her own.

Most of the problems we see on the ramp aren’t down to a lack of planning, they are down to resources being stretched so drum tight (probably due to some algorithm) that there is no flex in the system to cope with anything going off plan...fully automating the current process (even if possible) with the current level of resources won’t suddenly improve the ramp “experience”.

And that is why operations on an airport are event driven rather then deterministic. A late wheelchair, a minor fault on start up. flight crew or rear crew delayed by previous late arrival, a push crew with a delayed aircraft so next aircraft also delayed etc etc. Although padding can allow for some of these it starts getting expensive and reduces gate utilization. After a day of various Traffic Management Initiatives all gating plans become wishful thinking.

Anything that is planned in advance is going to break. An automated system should be able to dynamically work out the most efficient way to handle operations as it goes on. ATC would be a good example of this technology. The system does not fall over just because someone appears late or early.