Lining up to wait: airport behavior

On my first trip to Sweden, I saw the line at our gate from way down the departure hall of Chicago O’Hare’s international terminal.

“Robert, hurry up. They must be boarding our flight already,” I said as I drug him away from the magazine stand. But when we got to our gate, the electronic sign said that boarding would begin at 4.30.

“That’s 40 minutes from now. Why is the entire plane already in line?”

It was a question neither of us had an answer for and I have to say that after six years of living in Stockholm, I still don’t. Because this queuing up to wait a very long time in line to board the plane is not just a one-time phenomenon either. I see it from every destination, every time we fly back to or from Stockholm. But the best was on a return flight from Frankfurt to Stockholm.

“The incoming plane for our flight has been delayed. The plane won’t be here for another 45 minutes. Please take a seat,,” announced the attendant at the gate for our flight.

Not one of the over 100 people in line moved.

“There’s no need to stand and wait in line. The plane’s not even here. Once it does get here, we will have to clean it. Please take a seat. I will let you know when it’s time to board,” announced the attendant, this time with a smirk of amusement.

Two people sat down. Everyone else stayed in line.

“They must not be Swedish,” I said to Robert.

I don’t know quite why I’m so amused by the line phenomenon. I guess it’s mostly because I would prefer to do something different with my time – look around in a store, have a drink or sit down and read my book – than just stand. Maybe I have this desire to multi-task with my time? Or maybe I’m just a lazy American and want to have a seat? All that said, I’m happy to stand in line when I am actually called to board – I’m always excited to get to my destination!

Tagged as: flying to Stockholm, traveling to Stockholm, waiting in line at the airport