At times boarding lines will split between seating rows. Either there simply isn't enough space for everyone or some splits the line intentially in hopes of securing a better seat. This is when the tension mounts. As a southwest passenger you position in the boarding line dictates everything about your flying experience. If you end up too far back you'll find your self wedged in second worst seat in the plane the middle seat. What's the worst seat? The coffin-like lavatories.
Here is why a line split is dangerous and more often than not entertaining.
Let's say, you may waited
An extra 30 minutes longer on your feet making decidedly a the head of the line. When a family of six splits the line at a break created by the gate seating. As soon as a new (and shorter) line splits off of your line the authanticity and position is called into question. What follows makes any layover an entertaining experience.
In order to reclaim and their rightful position in line passengers (read: total strangers) will posture through a variety of bodylanguage. You've seen it before. Remember, the sixth grade lunch line.
In the sixth grade, cutting in line "matured" from a basic series of lyrical name calling to a social cast based system of winks and nods. Only the privilaged were able to "ditch" line. It appears twenty to thirty years later most of us are unwilling to give up the "ditch" perk. Despite all the not-so-happy bodylanguage the whole process is very efficent.
The truth of the matter is despite whatever the boarding process reveals about human nature it sure helps pass the time. It's going to be a fun trip.
Note: I made it to the boarding ramp. (See picture)
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