--- title: "If Astrophysicists Can’t Figure Out Airplane Boarding, Who Can?" id: "18845" type: "post" slug: "if-astrophysicists-cant-figure-out-airplane-boarding-who-can" published_at: "2013-08-02T20:30:49+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T20:50:47+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/02/if-astrophysicists-cant-figure-out-airplane-boarding-who-can/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/08/02/if-astrophysicists-cant-figure-out-airplane-boarding-who-can.md" excerpt: "Airlines aren’t the only ones who can’t find the right strategy to board airplanes effectively. Also: 10 reasons why a platform-centric social marketing approach is a good idea for brands and businesses." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Marketing" - "Meetings" - "Social Media" - "Web Strategy" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » If Astrophysicists Can’t Figure Out Airplane Boarding, Who Can? Now boarding…the potential financial benefits of streamlining airplane boarding—and why no one has been able to figure it out. Also check out advice on how to narrow down your social media marketing options in today’s Social Media Roundup. ### Herding Cats http://twitter.com/billwalker7/status/362990088407351296 **String theory is apparently easier to understand than the boarding process.** Those of you traveling to [ASAE 2013 (opens in a new tab)](http://www.asaeannualmeeting.org/) by plane more than likely encountered the chaotic boarding process that defines most airport experiences. Airlines aren’t alone in the pursuit of streamlining that process to decrease headaches for employees and customers alike. Astrophysicist [Jason Steffen of the University of Illinois told the Associated Press he calculated the perfect plan (opens in a new tab)](http://travel.yahoo.com/ideas/airlines-on-endless-quest-for-better-boarding-162646192.html?page=all) , but admitted it probably wouldn’t work because it calls for boarding passengers in a precise order. “Well,” Steffen said, “I understand why airline people aren’t calling me.” Figuring out the problem is actually a big deal, according to researchers from Northern Illinois University. Based on their recent study, every extra minute at the gate could add $30 in costs. *(ht [@billwalker7 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/billwalker7) )* ### One Social Platform to Rule Them All > Focus on one platform–> [#SocialMedia (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/SocialMedia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Content Marketing On One Platform – [@sai (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/SAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [http://t.co/9oXJWHchDw (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/9oXJWHchDw) > > — Marissa Pick (@marissapick) [August 2, 2013 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/marissapick/status/363267711213641728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Don’t dilute your brand by half-heartedly partaking everywhere on social media.**Scattershot approaches to social media might make it appear like your brand has reach everywhere, but it’s probably not a healthy option for some companies. So says Marcelo Ballve of *Business Insider*, who [gives brands and businesses 10 reasons why a platform-centric social media marketing strategy is a better fit (opens in a new tab)](http://www.businessinsider.com/social-media-content-marketing-on-one-platform-2013-8?utm_source=feedburner&utm_campaign=Feed:%20businessinsider%20%28Business%20Insider%29&utm_content=buffera1c4a&utm_medium=twitter) based a on recent research study by the publication. Budget is certainly one of the best reasons for small or niche companies. “Your organization will no longer leak dollars with a half-hearted attempt to be, and post everywhere,” writes Ballve. *(ht [@marissapick (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/marissapick) )* What’s on your social agenda today? Perhaps a little Annual? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. (iStockphoto/Thinkstock) [Daniel Ford](https://associationsnow.com/author/daniel-ford/) Daniel Ford is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/daniel-ford/) Tags: [#Marketing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/marketing/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Social Media](https://associationsnow.com/tag/social-media/) [#Web Strategy](https://associationsnow.com/tag/web-strategy/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoRecap from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/19/recap-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoSneak Peek: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 14, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/14/sneak-peek-highlights-from-day-2-of-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoDaily Recap: Day 1 from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/13/daily-recap-day-1-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoSneak Peek: Highlights from Day 1 of the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/13/sneak-peek-highlights-from-day-1-of-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F08%2F02%2Fif-astrophysicists-cant-figure-out-airplane-boarding-who-can%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !