LIFO

it's nice to be back from the holiday break. now i need a vacation. it's funny how visiting the family for 5 days can take so much out of you, even when you didn't really do, well, anything. i did, however, have much time to think about the simple things in life and how to improve them.

during the many hours i spent in an airport or on an airplane, i've come to conclude that the manner in which airlines board their passengers needs a small, yet fundamental change. and i think accountants are the ones that have already solved the problem.

the issue here is that for those of us not privileged to fly first class (instead relegated to a $700 coach seat. ouch!), boarding a plane is quite the lengthy process. not so much getting on the plane, but rather how much time is spent sitting idly by waiting for take off and conversely, how much more time is spent waiting to get off.

i had the misfortune of being seated at the back of the plane on each leg of my trip. not a racially motivated segregation, but one of class and privilege. but i digress. to continue, i waited, like everyone else, to get off the plane when we reached our destination. however, my wait was sufficiently longer than everyone else's due to the fact i was in the last. fucking. row.

so, here's the solution to the problem known as the waiting game: LIFO. yes, my accounting friends, i said "LIFO." last in, first out. 1st class fliers will always be the chosen few to be seated and exit first. but they are few in numbers and the greater concern is with the numerically superior coach passengers.

i think moving forward, airlines should continue seating by "zones," as it seems to be the most efficient means of getting everyone on and getting on our way. however, coach passengers assigned seating toward the front of the plane should board first. passengers at the back will board last. the process will be reversed upon arrival at said destination. it equals out waiting times and everyone is happy. now, if we can just do something about $700 coach fare. that's a different story.