Originally Posted by
marble
The Guardian is reporting that 29 passengers were left behind when they somehow got stuck between the gate and the plane. They'd all apparently gone through the gate (had boarding passes scanned), but a member of staff got them to wait behind a security barrier and before they knew it the plane had gone!
The only thing that confuses me is that I've noticed cabin crew counting passengers/empy seats to make sure they have everyone. I've also been delayed when cabin crew thought they were one passenger short ... he was eventually found sleeping at the back of the plane. Easyjet suggest this count is entirely optional whereas I'd always assumed it was a security measure.
I also assumed it was mandatory to do a head count before departure and this has happened on all kinds of airlines from budget to premium. I have been delayed so often because of missing passengers etc. but these usually have not made it to the gate.
Also what I find astonishing, is that usually ground staff would handover the manifest to the crew after boarding is completed. Therefore I do feel that some rules were violated.