Why not use rear exit/stairs for aircraft deplaning?
 

It seems it takes forever to deplane if you are sitting in the rear of the aircraft. Why not utilize rear exit if the aircraft has one and use stairs to speed up deplaning. Catering can be done after deplane. Those who can’t use stairs could sit up front .
This would reduce aircraft turn time and increase aircraft utilization.

D.B.Cooper would love that idea!

Simple answer, it’s a liability issue. This exact question was asked at a recent town hall meeting.

A mobile airstair isn’t part of UA’s standard equipment at most jetbridge-equipped gates, especially in the USA, and would be an additional cost item at contract stations. Passengers on a ramp also require escorts and supervision, so that would be more labor, plus the potential slip and fall liability for descending/ascending stairs with luggage.

Front and rear door access - on and off - is SOP at BUR where there are no jetbridges. Standard stairs at the rear door and a ramp affair in front. They can turn around flights in 20 minutes. Ironically, worst seats on the plane for getting out are the midplane exit rows.

Boarding/exiting using both front/rear doors is the one great redeeming feature of FRA's bus gates!

Most US airports aren't setup for ramp-level boarding at jetbridge gates. There often isn't enough room for passenger walking lanes and few gates have a nearby stairway so you'd end up busing. Much more labor intensive.

Stairs and boarding both front and aft is common in Central American and the Caribbean where weather is more cooperative, labor is less expensive, and airport infrastructure favors busing over having longer concourses and more jetbridge gates. San Jose del Cabo, Cancun, Punta Cana, etc. all use two doors and buses at times.

in Australia they do this all the time, however their airports grounds are not busy like USA.

Bingo.

BUR is the only domestic airport I can think of where they regularly board through both doors. And consistent with the Caribbean theme, STX uses both doors as well.

The EA Shuttle did rear stair boarding/exiting at LGA for many years on their 727s and DC9s. (Relevant to UA as EA was a member of OnePass with pmCO!)

Ryanair always does this at back and front. Speeds things up enormously but is a PITA when it’s raining.

Where? Must be very airport dependent. That is not my experience in my usual travels.... The only aircraft I see boarded (or board myself) by stairs are the Q400's.....

P.S. SYD is busier than MANY US airports.....

Many non-US airports do this when not using a jetbridge. This was the norm for all domestic flights we took in Italy. And yes, the rear of the plane becomes the most desirable location.

TED tried this and failed to use both doors with airbridge. IIRC there was at least one accident/incident at DEN involving TED. RAR!

There may be a thread here somewhere, or maybe it was even PMUA, but I believe they tested a system at DEN several years ago, but stopped when there was some sort of incident, though I don’t remember the details. I’m sure someone will, or can find the thread.

on another note, yes, this is SOP in some other countries. I’m most familiar with it from domestic flights in India. At BOM in particular, this often is proceeded by what seems like a miles long bus ride from your ‘gate’ to the plane itself. Experienced this on Indigo and AI. Other overseas airports do deplane Or board via stairs/ramp, but only using one door. In particular I’ve seen this at BKK, for me personally, it’s been on TG to/from
India, but I know for other destinations as well.