9 HN users recommended this explainer6 months2020–2023score 7
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
It is the default link in any thread about boarding or deplaning order, praised as an excellent, clear treatment.
CGP Grey compares airplane boarding methods, based on an arXiv paper, and shows why the intuitive back-to-front approach is slow while random or outside-in boarding does better.
“Highly recommend this video of plane boarding methods by CGP Grey” (HN, 2023)
Better off watching CGP Grey's video "The Better Boarding Method Airlines Won't Use" which has more discussion of the topic, more simulations, and puts forward better methods that are either faster or allow families to remain grouped. [this video] This is basically [link] but differs to the paper in that it doesn't consider: alternating odd-and-even row disembarkment, which would give passengers more aisle space to potentially speed-up luggage handling.
More discussion, simulations, and better boarding methods that keep families grouped.
CGP Grey has a great video examining different boarding methods and why some are slower or faster than others: [this video] Also noting that the way we deplane (front to back) is the slowest method, heh.
Compares boarding methods and why some are faster.
CGP Grey did a great YouTube video on this several years ago, and why airlines won't use it: [this video] Note that this is from a boarding, not deplaning viewpoint, but the concepts are similar.
Explains boarding methods and why airlines will not use better ones.
There is a great video from CGP Grey about the similar problem of boarding an airplane: [this video] Unfortunately, having flown many times, I just don't see humans ever being able to self organize to this degree, especially at the end of a flight!
Great video on similar problem of boarding an airplane.
Obligatory reference to CGP Grey's excellent treatment of the topic (video): [this video] And he shows that window middle aisle saves a little bit of time, but not much.
Excellent treatment showing window-middle-aisle saves only a little time.
or maybe people are in a new place and processing a totally foreign environment? Maybe theyre stressed/tired from flying? Not thinking because theyre in a rush? Its not that hard to find reasons for why people might make mistakes in an airport. > another example: queueing to board the plane. other than to fit in, why on earth would I stand there and compete to spend more time in a sweaty uncomfortable seat packed with 400 other people? plus, if you get on last, you can take advantage of empty rows before anyone else what? people are following direction, and the way the plane boards is actually important to how fast it loads, so youre messing with that because its a mild convenience to you and you consider that intelligent behaviour? cpg grey has a video on this i suggest you take a look [this video]
I understand the justification for having restrictions on who can be vaccinated but part of me thinks this is all extremely counterproductive. Yes, old people are at greater risk but also the more young people are vaccinated the harder it is for the virus to spread and the faster we reach herd immunity which also ends up protecting old people. I end up thinking about this great video [1] by CGP Grey where he explains that the most efficient boarding method for an airplane isn't actually front-to-back but just random. Surely if we just said anyone could get a vaccine then we'd be more successful in reaching herd immunity right? Edit: You could also just make a portion of the day for older people only and the rest of the time open it up to everyone. I feel like right now we have the worst of all worlds [1]: [this video]
Random boarding is most efficient, used as analogy for vaccination.
CGP Grey covered this already years ago: [this video] . It doesn't work even optimally. But more importantly, boarding isn't the only action being taken. You can't take off without fuel and luggage, and even food factors into turnarounds.
Direct link to YouTube video from current top comment of Reddit thread, in case that comment ends up further down on the Reddit thread later: [this video]
Unloading is pretty fast. Loading is the slow part. However efficient loading doesn't make passengers happy. Priority boarding is worth an extra fee from some passengers and adds several minutes to boarding time. [this video] for a bit more about various options and the reason it is all moot.
Covers various boarding options and why it is all moot.
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