Where: The Bob Hope Burbank Glendale Pasadena Or Whatever the Hell It's Called Airport, Burbank, California.
When: Friday, 7 December, about 3:15 p.m.
Who: Random passengers and me
Why: Air travel is a popular way to travel between cities.
What: A Million Dollar Idea
This idea is definitely a time saver. See in the scene above how everyone of the 100 or so passengers on my flight from Seattle to The Bad Place are squashed together all trying to see their baggage when it come round on the carousel?
Better idea: A six foot rule. No one stands closer than six feet from the carousel. If everyone stands back from the luggage, everyone would be able to see the luggage, even those passengers not in the front row of the crowd.
The way it is done now, only about 30 people can see, rather than 100. In my new world order, when someone sees their bag, or one they think might be, they move forward to the carousel and claim it. There's no need to be right on top of the thing and block everyone else's view if you don't need to be.
P.S. Personal to the fellow at Amoeba Records in Hollywood on Friday night who came up to tell me how much he enjoys the blog. I really appreciated that. He may have just been havin' a laugh, but I decided to take the compliment at face value instead.
Excellent idea. And I can only imagine how much easier it would be to pull my bag off the carousel if I had more than my allotted six inches of space to work in.
Posted by: Diane | December 09, 2007 at 07:07 AM
I like it. I like everything about it. EXCEPT,
it's way to easy. An idea that wouldn't involve red tape and an environmental impact report is not even worth doing. Then the worry
about the ACLU and peoples right to assemble without restrictions. Holy crap, can this simple idea get anymore mucked up! Yes, but only in America.
Posted by: Geo | December 09, 2007 at 08:05 AM
I travel in and out of that airport as well, and am all too familiar with the tiny baggage area for the United/Alaska flights. It's super fun during the holidays! Why NOT have all passengers, including those renting cars, in the same 100 sq foot area??
Posted by: EditThis | December 09, 2007 at 10:34 AM
It looks like your idea would only work if everyone stood in single file line. If so, you're idea won't work.
My suggestion - You're 6'6". Cut to the front of the line. If someone questions you just say "Don't you know who I am?"
Posted by: Fred G | December 09, 2007 at 01:38 PM
I've thought the same thing every time I fly. They could just paint a yellow strip around the carousel and ask everyone to stand behind unless you're actually retrieving a bag. I often try to stand a couple feet back so other's can see, but, inevitably someone will slide slowly but surely in front of me as if I wasn't even there. Bastards with no social respect. Oh well, as my wife and I always say "People suck".
Posted by: Lucky13 | December 09, 2007 at 01:44 PM
damn bean it must awesome to live in your little world......if only things at the airport could really be like that...
Posted by: steph | December 09, 2007 at 08:30 PM
How exactly does that make you a million dollars? Where's the profit?
Better idea: 3 ft rule + camera showing the luggage on a large screen. When yours comes by you step forward.
PS to Geo: take your government chunk over to open mic night at the HA Ha Hut, tool.
Posted by: Vic Rattler | December 09, 2007 at 09:05 PM
Shut up! NO BODY CARES!!!!
Posted by: | December 09, 2007 at 09:27 PM
Of course people like your blog. Don't let the rest of the AM team give you a hard time for something that is great.
Posted by: Mayren | December 10, 2007 at 08:28 AM
That was me at Ameoba on Friday. And you can take the compliment in the spirit in which it was given. I have to admit, I missed the blog while it was gone.
By the way, later that night I attended the Harry Shearer Christmas Singalong, which featured a special surprise performer: Weird Al Yankovic!
Burn!
Posted by: Scott Tipton | December 10, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Great idea! Bean rules!
Posted by: Shnoogins | December 10, 2007 at 05:43 PM
Bean, I long for the day you create a new world order. If we can also kill all extroverts that would be great.
Posted by: The_bohemian_jester | December 10, 2007 at 07:12 PM
That is an AMAZING idea! I hate the way people stand over the carousel! I read above someones comment about the yellow line...BRILLIANT! The worst is when people sit on the carousel while it isn't moving and then when it starts, they seem surprised....what is wrong with these people!
Posted by: yensid | December 12, 2007 at 07:45 AM
I was in Glendale, doing some christmas shopping and as I stepped onto the escalator to climb to the glory that is the second floor when I saw the most amazing sight, people who knew the rules of the road that apply to escalation.
There I was, in the midst of a dream, the slow women and children to one side, leaving enough room for the quicker patrons to pass. I immediately thought you should know, I wish you could have been there with me to witness it in all of its holyness.
Posted by: Andrew | December 14, 2007 at 09:38 AM
this reminds me of one of my great ideas. If everyone at a traffic light accelerates at the same time, more people would make it through the light.
Posted by: James | December 28, 2007 at 09:49 AM