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Comment by acjohnson55 | Hacker News Reader

I can't remember a time when I boarded a plane that I didn't have to wait in a queue on the jet bridge. How does this help with that? Also, I'm constantly seeing people accidentally end up in the wrong row or seat because they misread the label up above. Invariably, everyone takes out boarding passes to sort it out.

Reeks of a trojan horse to get more pervasive face scanners in place.

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I've only been once in Washington, and it was ages ago. But they have this incredible system where they put you in a massive bus (At first I didn't even realise it was a bus, it looked more like a room), and the bus goes to the plane, lifts ups, and docks to the plane door. So, it's very important they can cram the people in the bus as fast as possible. Do a google image search for "Dulles buses", you'll understand what I'm on about.

But this benefit (of accelerated boarding) would apply to any airport where you don't go into a jet bridge but have to take the bus to go to the plane.

Ah yeah, I've done bus boarding before (although not the Dulles thing), wasn't considering that. Still seems like you could time that boarding of the earlier vehicle to just start earlier.

They have not used the "mobile lounges" for normal boarding since the 80s. That said, occasionally when there is a fuckup they still have to use them, but it's rare. Almost every flight uses either the jetbridge or the stairs (for tiny commuter flights).

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