It is a mathematical fact that the shortest average wait time is to have a single queue with multiple servers. Yet there are so many institutions that insist on multiple queues with multiple servers. There is some psychology behind this though.
Multiple queues gives people the impression of a shorter queues since each queue may only have a few people in it. Would you rather wait in line with 100 people or with 10 people? It’s a trick question because you didn’t take into account the number of service points for each queue. Walt Disney figured this out long ago. But let’s take a look at the two most common multiple queue scenarios the average person faces and how to pick the right queue for those times when you aren’t dealing with someone as smart as Mr. Disney.
The Grocery Store
You just spent the better part of an hour deciding on which 100 calorie snack packs are going to best satiate your desires this week and now you want to get out as fast as possible.
- Option one is the self checkout. These are great if you have a small amount of items but you just bought your beer supply for the week and there is no way that much beer is fitting in that tiny self checkout space. On those Saturday nights when you’re only buying Us Weekly and Ben & Jerry’s then this is the right line.
- The next best option is the 20 item or less line but today you have too many items.
- Now you have to start being strategic. You’ll need to avoid check writers, extreme couponers and anyone who might be using public assistance. Not that there’s anything wrong with WIC or other programs but these checkouts almost always require multiple transactions and special paperwork by the cashier. You have Otter Pops that are going to melt and don’t have time to wait.
- Next you’ll need to find a check stand that has the best cashier. Avoid the overly friendly cashier because they’ll spend too much time talking to the people in front of you. You’ll also need to avoid the inexperienced cashier. If they look younger than 25 then move on, they won’t know the code for organic wheat grass.
- Last but not least you need a check stand with a bagger already in place. If you pick one without a bagger you’ll end up doing this task yourself and that jar of pickles on top of your sourdough bread is not a good bagging strategy.
The Airport Security Checkpoint
It’s not as simple as George Clooney made it seem in Up in the Air.
Up In The Air: Bingham's Guide to Travel…..
See how easy it looks when you have ultra-diamond-platinum status? Well, you don’t have that so get in line and have your ID and boarding pass ready.
Once you make it past the TSA ID check you are often presented with many screening stations to choose from.
- First look for the ones with the fewest number of people. It’s an easy way to narrow your choices.
- Disregard any queue that has has a people traveling with children. Children require them to bring too many items and they don’t have enough hands to deal with everything.
- Avoid any queue with people wearing excessive jewelry. They will not take the jewelery off and will have to go through the metal detector several times and ultimately get a pat down.
- Avoid lines with people who appear to be skaters, musicians or hipsters. They have a belt that they aren’t going to take off, about $4 in change in their pockets and a cell phone hidden somewhere on them. They will walk through the metal detector with all of these items in place.
- Look for the queue with people wearing professional attire. These are the people who do this all the time. They’re the ones who already have their laptops out of the bags and in a separate bin. They have their jackets, shoes and belt off and are patiently waiting to go through the metal detector.
What are your strategies for always picking the best queue?
Photo Flickr.
