How To Board A Plane: Physicist And TV Producer Prove We Are Boarding All Wrong (INFOGRAPHIC)

Where millions and millions of passengers saw yet another unpleasant step in the process of air travel, particle physicist Jason Steffen saw a solvable problem. That bumping, convulsing, furtively-cursing line of angry passengers boarding a jetliner could be, Dr. Steffen rather radically hypothesized, eliminated.

Steffen, who works at the government research facility Fermilab, drew up some flow models on his computer and created the "Steffen Method," a staggered boarding process designed to minimize the number of blockages in both the aisle and the rows. This was a few years ago and he got a little press for the experiment, then nothing much came of it. Boarding lines continued to stall and he never saw his staggered process put into action.

Then he got a call from Jon Hotchkiss, the president of Hotchkiss Industries, who was hard at work creating a television program dubbed This vs That exploring what he describes as the "science of things within arm's reach." The former writer for Bill Maher told the physicist he wanted to test his plane boarding theory.

Cut to a few weeks later. Steffen is standing in the Air Hollywood soundstage in Pacoima, Calif. watching 72 people prepare to board a 757, readying to find out if his theory could be applied to the real world.

"There is always the possibility that I overlooked something that would be fatal to the method," Steffen told HuffPost Travel. "After we did the experiment no fatal flaw materialized, so I was quite happy with the results."

The result, summarized: Airlines are going about boarding all wrong. Boarding back to front is slow. Boarding by section is so slow it would be faster if people just pulled a Southwest and boarded at random. Staggered boarding is where it's at.

"The airlines are clearly doing two things wrong," says Hotchkiss. "They are letting their business passengers or frequent fliers board first, which is basically the least efficient thing you can do, and they are charging for luggage, which means people are carrying on over-sized bags and trying to shove them under the seats, which is not efficient at all."

Both men are far from convinced that their experiment will lead to a staggered boarding method being adopted by airlines, but they are both pleased with having found a definitive outcome.

"I was certain that a guy who thinks about astrophysics, if he really put his mind to it, would be able to solve the problem of boarding, which is, let's face it, less complicated than the Universe," says Hotckiss.

To test the researchers' results, try each of the boarding methods below.

INTERACT:

Follow This vs That on Twitter to see more everyday experiments, including an investigation of whether you should use the life preserver or your seat as a flotation device if your plane comes to an abrupt, aquatic halt.

Comments

[JacquelineJR]

10:01 AM on 09/06/2011

So we trust these scientists when they tell us how to board an airplane, but when it comes to global warming, environmental damage and America's long term preparedness, they suddenly become "ivory tower boobs" with a political agenda to push.

Well...we can all take comfort in the evidence that American business is evenly more thoroughly stupid than the American public.

[Baron hans Vongress]

08:27 AM on 09/05/2011

Go back to boarding from the rear. Tired of folks taking up the overhead bins and when you finally get on your bags to checked luggage.
Boarding 1st is a PIA as you get bumped by ding dongs who cannot control their purses/shoulder bags (male&female).
Also ramp agents come on, you see a bag is not going to fit the overhead bin or under the seat why allow that even to come on board, goes for the flight attendants.
If they did their jobs properly and screened bags to ensure they would fit no issue.
I fly 2-3 times a week and trust me if I could avoid flying I would!

[vargasgirlred]

04:32 PM on 09/05/2011

This must be the best way of boarding. Staggering will not work because there are always families who must sit together, and you cannot let children find their seats alone, even if they are assisted by airline personnel. Back to front clearly is the best. When you disembark, people in the front get off first, and the ones who are slow to gather their belongings hold others up, but someone lets them out eventually. There is nothing worse than an overloaded passenger staggering down the aisle, forcing those in aisle seats to lean aside lest they be bumped or bruised.

[otterkill107]

09:14 PM on 09/04/2011

make believe you are the pilot

[rMatey]

06:43 PM on 09/04/2011

Don't wear baggy pants like Billie Joe Armstrong. The TSA man doesn't like them.

[mamagypsy]

04:10 PM on 09/04/2011

the disabled board a plane first dont they?

[booshh]

07:00 PM on 09/04/2011

You mean the flight attendants? Especially the ones that will harass you for sagging pants?

[Conuly]

10:14 AM on 09/08/2011

They can, presumably because they require assistance. That's also why families with small children can board before other people.

[sandy ayers]

03:25 PM on 09/04/2011

I have always felt like boarding back to front was the best way. Those who get on first are still standing in the aisles while you're trying to get past them. Also, while I carry my laptop bag with me, why is it that others get to bring a huge bag and take up so much space in the over head department? People don't want to pay the check in charge so they bring their regular size suitcase on board. Then when I want to put my case up, there's no room. I paid for my suitcase when I checked in. I should have my space in the over head. Why are the carry-on's not being checked for size? Every airport has a sizer at check in and if your bag won't fit inside it, then you should be made to pay the fee check it in. As far as locks on your suitcase, even the TSA approved ones? I've had them on my suitcaes twice and both times they have been broken off. I bought them because I know TSA has keys to fit them and if they needed to look inside my suitcase, then they can open them. But it seems whoever sees your suitcase and sees that lock it's like someone is saying, " I'll show you, I can still get inside your suitcase." . It must take a huge force to break them off. I'm sure there's a hammer just for this use.

[Klein bottle]

12:36 PM on 09/06/2011

Yes, it is the $400 hammer the Pentagon bought a few years back...

See, there WAS a reason for this!

[AmyK0 o]

02:42 PM on 09/04/2011

I think they should board window seats first, then middle seats, then aisle seats. Let all the able-bodied people board first since they should, in theory, be quicker about it. Boarding inside to outside also means that those seated and buckled will not have to unbuckle, get up and move to let others in. After that, people with children and those with wheelchairs, etc. should be boarded, with the flight attendents helping with equipment and or baggage as necessary. I don't like the way things are done now, I think it's inefficient. I have two children and I've flown with them. Been lucky to have been able to chose or have seats assigned with my kids that were all together so that we were sitting across from each other. I checked my suitcase, and had only one totebag for the three of us when I boarded the plane. I sat my children in their seats, stowed my bag and sat down quickly so that others behind me could get through. I waited until the aisle was clear before standing up again to buckle in my kids and then I sat back down and buckled myself.

[mamagypsy]

09:06 AM on 09/06/2011

Amy, some disabled can't stand in a line as well as able bodied ones. I walk with a cane I beleive that's why the disabled can board first ALSO I pick window seats Why should I have to ask someone to move, so that I can get in my seat? you see there are reasons for everything......I hope you are never disabled. Maybe THEN you can understand that a little better. I check my bags in and carry nothing on board but my purse, and my cane, My cane folds and I can put it in my purse. not everyone blocks the aisles!

[Exgummibur]

12:47 PM on 09/06/2011

Amy has a good point. Disabled, families, etc. could board last. And the inside to outside makes perfect sense. If you're disable you don't have to stand in line to wait for your turn to board, the ABPs board first and hopefully they'd do it quickly. But the inside to outside order takes precedence, i.e. if you are disabled but chose window seat, then obviously you'd board BEFORE the ABPs who chose aisle seat, that way you don't have to jump over anybody else's lap to get to your seat if you know what I mean. The current method is slow, inefficient, uncomfortable and even unsafe.

[curiousandseekin]

02:42 PM on 09/04/2011

Lotsa things sound and look good on paper but in reality suck!!! First come, first served would clog the aisles so bad the plan would probably be late leaving

[gblank1603]

03:50 PM on 09/05/2011

Southwest boards exactely like that and has the quickest turn around times of any airline.

[lilith2]

02:28 PM on 09/04/2011

Spend some money on good quality sound PA systems for flight announcements in the waiting area and have only employees capable of pronouncing and enunciating words clearly make the announcements regarding flights.

[Roan Badger]

01:17 PM on 09/04/2011

First thing they could do is not have 3 gates in a row all boarding at the same time with employee's blaring over the loudspeaker, which all run together, which rows are boarding.

And it always seems like your gate has the weakest loudspeaker.

[trishwc]

12:35 PM on 09/04/2011

I fly. I fly with Kids. So, do I not sit next to them? Lovely idea in a false reality. I do need to board with my children. Could probably get arrested for leaving them on their own to board, which I would have to do. My guess is the physicist has no kids.

[S K]

12:30 AM on 09/05/2011

Exceptions can always be made. Nobody's making it a law to board like that. Calm down.

[trishwc]

12:16 PM on 09/05/2011

That is exactly what I was saying. There are a lot of exceptions. Wheelchairs, kids, needing assistance which makes this unrealistic. I don't recall any flights where there would have not been exceptions. Not hyped up about it, just being real. Honestly, aren't there better things to worry about than getting on an airplane faster?

[Klein bottle]

12:37 PM on 09/06/2011

Think about it: You don't have to sit next to your kids! Sounds like a winner to me!

[trishwc]

10:56 AM on 09/07/2011

We have been seated apart and the lightning fast speed with which people offer to exchange seats is heartwarming. Visions of reading my Kindle go out the window. Alas..

[frankerin]

12:32 PM on 09/04/2011

Good luck, changing airline policy is like sweeping up dust, it just keeps landing all over the place. They can't change and don't want something else to manage anew

[garylinn]

12:16 PM on 09/04/2011

If you're wealthy, you get to board first and set in first class. If you PRETEND to have a disability, they let you on early too. Some of the people I see getting on early are neither rich or disabled...just using the system. Ticks me off. There: I feel better now! :-)

[Roan Badger]

01:18 PM on 09/04/2011

Your already wealthy if your flying planes with first class...lol.

[yngmaji]

01:28 PM on 09/04/2011

Not all disabilities are physical nor immediately apparent just by looking at someone. When traveling, my roommate, who is permanently disabled due to the psychiatric effects of childhood priest abuse, will board first with me to ensure that I (along with his emergency medications) am with him, or would you prefer someone with multiple personalities and PTSD be separated from the one person and the medication that can mitigate a psychotic episode?

And by the way, the people flying first class on a commercial airline are not rich - they are just frequent travelers/rewards members that have upgraded to first class. If they really were rich, they would be flying via private plane where they don't have to deal with TSA getting all up in and personal with their orifices, screaming brats, $10 drinks, poor quality and low quantity snacks, missing meals and cramped cattle car conditions.

[Klein bottle]

12:40 PM on 09/06/2011

Wow, it sounds like your air travel experience is way better than mine usually are. I get TWO TSA agents all up and personal, screaming rabid brats, $20 drinks, poisonous snacks in copious quantities, and sardine can conditions!

[mnwildfan]

12:10 PM on 09/04/2011

How to board a plane: walk down ramp, go through door, sit down. Ta-da.

[garylinn]

12:17 PM on 09/04/2011

LOL badge for that one...very funny!

[frankerin]

12:33 PM on 09/04/2011

Retire all badges

[otterkill107]

09:12 PM on 09/04/2011

the one thing you fogot is to look around the cabin for anyone with a beard ,,,,,that person is not a flight attended,,,,do not ask him for a drink

[parthenon1]

12:03 PM on 09/04/2011

before retirement I was a frequent flyer with Southwest and loved their whole program. I even had the pleasure of flying with former CEO and Pres. Herb Kelleher. he is a very engaging person who at that time was trying to grow Southwest and really wanted to know what their customers really thought and took their suggestions very serii\ously. I had the idea of having two ramps one at the front hatch and another at the rear. the ongoing pasengers came in at the front hatch and departing passengers went out the back. This way they could arrive and depart much faster saving costly ground time by unloading and reloading the planes in half the time. I guess they ran into airport regs. We still fly SWA a couple times a year and I equate a ride on them as a pleasurable bus ride. the keys arent making it a fun deal but getting away and arriving on time or ahead of time. time is the key its $ whether to the passengers or the airline.

[ivotedabsentee]

12:56 PM on 09/04/2011

[ I had the idea of having two ramps one at the front hatch and another at the rear. the ongoing pasengers came in at the front hatch and departing passengers went out the back.]

Very few, if any US airports have jetway gates which can reach the doors aft of the wing.

If the airport uses stair gates, then it should be very easy to use two doors for off-loading and boarding passengers. In these cases, it is simply a matter of the airlline asking for two sets of stairs for each aircraft passenger cycle.


Amsterdam-Schiphol airport is one of the few international airports which indeed does have jetways which allow boarding at the front door and a rear door. It does appear this jetway system requires a ramp segment which goes over the wing. I count 18 such gateway systems at Schiphol.

Google Earth at 52 18 44.24N 4 45 46.44E

Looks like a KLM 747-400 at the gate.

Singapore also appears to have some jetways which have three ramps. Looks like these are set up for the A-380 aircraft.

See 1 21 21.24N 103 59 04.22E at Google Earth.

[gblank1603]

03:53 PM on 09/05/2011

That won't work because they still have to unload and load the luggage---the cabin would not get cleaned either.