In Plane Sight: An Observational Analysis of Behaviour at the Airport
I undertook two non-participant observations at Wellington airport over a period of two weeks. The intention was to observe the behaviour and customs people exhibited when they were not in an environment that was customary and potentially unsettling. I had also expected to take notice of things I hadn’t perceived before as when you are part of the crowd, it’s often harder to take notice of the behaviours and interactions of others when they don’t concern you or your immediate surroundings. I also wanted to gain a better understanding of how people’s behaviours, rituals and habits might be changed or influenced by a different situation or context. I thought it would be interesting …show more content…
The external space before entering the departure area has car parks and a clear way for taxi’s and other vehicles to efficiently utilise the drop off point right in front of the entrance, making it easier and quicker for people to enter with their luggage. The entrance to the departure area is made up of two separate wide automatic glass doors. As you enter you are faced with the check in counters of Air New Zealand on the left, and Jet Star, Qantas and Virgin Airlines on the right. There are self-check in stations in front of the Air New Zealand counters on the left and a few seats line the walls. To the left, along the same wall that the entrance is on is a huge sculpture of a dragon head amongst a rocky façade. In between the check in counters is a wide passage way leading to a commercial space consisting of bookstores, clothing stores, cafés, and other eateries and retail outlets, which then further diverges to the departure lounges and gates. Tables and chairs are dispersed amongst the various eateries and chairs line the ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the runway. The floor is tiled and the ceiling is high with impressive gigantic statues strung up and hanging over the tables and chairs. The layout was very open and left the space easy to
I undertook two non-participant observations at Wellington airport over a period of two weeks. The intention was to observe the behaviour and customs people exhibited when they were not in an environment that was customary and potentially unsettling. I had also expected to take notice of things I hadn’t perceived before as when you are part of the crowd, it’s often harder to take notice of the behaviours and interactions of others when they don’t concern you or your immediate surroundings. I also wanted to gain a better understanding of how people’s behaviours, rituals and habits might be changed or influenced by a different situation or context. I thought it would be interesting …show more content…
The external space before entering the departure area has car parks and a clear way for taxi’s and other vehicles to efficiently utilise the drop off point right in front of the entrance, making it easier and quicker for people to enter with their luggage. The entrance to the departure area is made up of two separate wide automatic glass doors. As you enter you are faced with the check in counters of Air New Zealand on the left, and Jet Star, Qantas and Virgin Airlines on the right. There are self-check in stations in front of the Air New Zealand counters on the left and a few seats line the walls. To the left, along the same wall that the entrance is on is a huge sculpture of a dragon head amongst a rocky façade. In between the check in counters is a wide passage way leading to a commercial space consisting of bookstores, clothing stores, cafés, and other eateries and retail outlets, which then further diverges to the departure lounges and gates. Tables and chairs are dispersed amongst the various eateries and chairs line the ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the runway. The floor is tiled and the ceiling is high with impressive gigantic statues strung up and hanging over the tables and chairs. The layout was very open and left the space easy to