PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: A SELF-HELP SERIES BY SCOTTY CROWE (VOL. 2)

Problem: First time fliers (inexperience is the only excuse I'm accepting) can't fight the temptation of standing shoulder-to-shoulder, knee-against-luggage-carousel at baggage claim. This of course causes "The Wall Effect", blocking luggage available for pickup from the sight of the more seasoned travelers, not to mention complicating the typically easy process of having ample space to retrieve a bag from the moving carousel.

Solution: Combine a little bit of patience, geometry, and common sense and we'll all discover that the larger the circumference of an ellipse, the more points of diameter d can fit along the ellipse. Taking a mere 2 steps back allows everone who was on the flight to see the carousel and provides a clear path for bag retrieval. Naysayers, I promise you that you'll still have time to grab your bag before it blows by - I know it seems like you need to be RIGHT THERE, but I'm wagering that you can cover the 70 or so inches in enough time to grab your suitcase. If something does happen and the bag sails past your grasp, it's not like an incomplete pass on 4th down - you'll have another chance in about 45 seconds to go for that suitcase.
Many airports actually have a line on the ground indicating where travelers should stand to watch for their luggage. Although largely ignored up until now, we all can join this crusade and make travel during 2008 the best it's ever been.






I must give credit where credit is very much due - a social law, of sorts, has already been instated due to the widespread concern for this problem. Big ups for the Maland Line!
In addition to relieving part of the headache that is travel, recreating this entry on your own will help pass approximately 90 minutes of downtime on a flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Or so I have read...