Typically, when you see something bolted to the ground, it’s because the owner doesn’t want the thing stolen. Park benches and safes come to mind.
Some items are bolted down so they don’t blow away in high winds—picnic tables, trash cans, etc.
But in airports, theft isn’t really a concern, and wind definitely isn’t. Yet the seats at airport gates are almost always bolted down.
What’s up with that?
It turns out that seats near the gate are bolted to the ground for reasons that have nothing to do with theft or (surprise!) wind.. But there are several other reasons:
Federal money
It’s always money, isn’t it? 😉
Say an airport wants to apply for grant money to install new seats. The FAA says in its Airport Improvement Program (AIP) that items eligible for grant money need to be “fixed” (read: attached). Then they’re considered a “permanent fixture” of the airport, which allows the airport to use grant money to replace them.
It keeps the terminal looking nice
The arrangement of airport seats aims to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Airports also want their spaces to keep people calm (psst! That’s why they have carpeting, too). If the chairs were all over the place, it would only add to the chaos that’s already a hallmark of every large airport out there, IYKWIM.
Helps with the flow of people
But it has everything to do with safety and making sure there’s proper space for egress.
Think about it – you’ve got, I dunno, 200-250 people waiting for their plane that’s delayed. If the seats were mobile, you KNOW there would be people moving them all over the place to…
- Make a “crib” big enough for a child to sleep on
- So family members could all sit together
- Kids making up games and physical challenges
The problem with that is that when people want to walk around the area, or even finally board the plane, there needs to be space for people to be able to get through.
Fire safety
Same goes for if there were an emergency – if the seats are all over the place, it makes it that much more difficult for people to exit the area as quickly as possible. So, fire safety regulations also play a significant role in dictating seat placement.
Makes the airport ADA compliant
And there are regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that say pathways need to be kept clear with a minimum of 36 inches (so a wheelchair or walker can fit). If people could move the chairs any which way they wanted, it’s doubtful the rows of seats would have that required 36″ between them.
Not all airports
Although a lot of airports have rows of seats bolted to the ground, not all do.
Airport designers are beginning to experiment with cluster seating designs, which offer more cozy and intimate seating experiences (but with familiar “rows” of seats used as buffer areas in between them).
Some airports are beginning to utilize one or more long tables at the gate for, say, computer work – and oftentimes the seats (well, stools LOL) that accompany them are freestanding.
Others are choosing seats that are a little more padded and comfy and not necessarily attached to multiple other seats.
And, of course, more than one small airport utilizes rocking chairs (which I think is adorable…and calming).
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