At the airport why do people crowd so close to the baggage claim carousel?

Question

I just got home from the airport, and was struck, yet again, at the savagery we go through and put each other through at the baggage claim. Standing 3-5 rows deep, right up to and even leaning over the edge of the baggage claim. When someone tries to grab a bag, or check to see if it's theirs, they get dragged down the carousel three or four people before they're able to flip it or pull it off, then they struggle to get out of the crowd with their bags.

Every airport, every flight, every time I see this.

Why can we not ALL stand 10-20 feet back, look at the bags to see if we recognize ours, and easily walk up to the carousel to pull it out without fighting a crowd at the same time?

Everyone, can see their bag, no one gets injured, less damage to bags, etc. Is this such a foreign concept?

Answer 1

Maybe if we played " Patience" over the loud speaker then people would get the idea............probably not though. I agree that it is ridiculous, but I just end up waiting until the crowd thins out and then I realize I am standing with the nice people from my flight and much happier.

Answer 2

Ask yourself this---Do you have the patience to stand behind a line staring at 155 pieces of virtually the same looking luggage with no identifying marks from a distance after a 13 hour international flight OR would you probably make a beeline for an examination of the similar looking suitcases to find yours with the cute little ribbon you tied on it to find it easier so you can get the heck out of the stinking airport? With all honesty--I'm not that patient (and it has nothing to do with my heritage, nationality, race, religion or anything else --just my lack of patience).

Answer 3

Its the fact that people are so scared of what they dont know .. they dont know who is in line if it is really people looking for thier bags or if someone is there to try to rob them blind or what .. its also the fact that each person for thier own reasons are so damn busy that they forget common curtiousy with other people all people think of is what do I have to do where do I have to be they dont care if anyone elce has any feelings or not and they also worry that they might have the same bag as someone elce so its all gotten to be a big scramble mess and i hate it

Answer 4

It seems that everyone wants to hurry to get their luggage and get out. If it's crowded, I hang back until it thins out, so I don't get hit when someone swings their luggage off the carousel.

Answer 5

Lol! Good question! I don't think that people understand that if their luggage goes back through the plastic flaps, that it will eventually come back out. I guess they are convinced that beyond those heavy plastic flaps is a black hole which will consume their luggage. Either that or they are just selfish and believe them getting their luggage before everyone else is top priority.

Answer 6

I know!! I've been saying this for years! I get so mad I've actually asked people to step back so others can see.

Last time I was at the airport, there were about 5 tall men in front of me, completely blocking my view. I asked them to step back, but none would. Jerks!

Answer 7

I was just thinking the same thing after my flight last week. Is it so obvious to only us that everyone could get there bag faster if we all stood back???

Answer 8

We're hoping that standing closer to the carousel will make our bag get there faster. :)

Answer 9

I hate when people take my luggage and think it's theirs...they don't even check the name on it..they just take it and leave..that's why i do it, last time i was arguing with a lady who was convinced that my luggage was her's....so i prefer to do that, than to let oters take my bag

Answer 10

Some people think its a contest to see who can get their bags the fastest.