[function_seven]

I consider the checkout stands to be the modern equivalent of elevators. Elevators used to require an operator to ask you for your floor, to manage the queue of calls, and determine an optimal order of trips up and down the shaft.

Then elevators got smarter and people now directly interface with the system.

With checkouts, it looks the same. I have a few pieces of hardware I want to buy. I can either stand in line and wait until someone scans them for me and tells me the total, or I can just scan them myself and pay.

It usually much faster to go through the self-checkout (especially with Home Depot's new set up. Just a handheld scanner and a huge touchscreen). For those times that it isn't (either a line of people, or unusual items that need special handling), then I'll go with the regular checkout.

To me, the extra work is in waiting for someone else to do what I can do faster and easier. This is similar to how gas pumping works in Oregon and New Jersey. No thanks, I'll pump my own gas please.

[shreygineer]

In all fairness, not having to get out and pump your own gas when it's either a) super cold outside or b) super hot outside is very convenient. also, as a former new jerseyian, the attendants are usually pretty fast and waiting for gas to be filled is not much slower than it has been pumping it by myself in other states.

That being said, I do agree that direct interface is a lot faster in most scenarios (like elevators, self-checkout). I think the most important factor is, does it reduce inconvenience or does it add "nice-to-haves". The former will always guarantee a fast adoption

[AnthonyMouse]

> In all fairness, not having to get out and pump your own gas when it's either a) super cold outside or b) super hot outside is very convenient.

During the gradual demise of full service gas stations in the other states, there was a period when one or two of the pumps were designated full service and if you pulled up in front of them the attendant would pump your gas, in exchange for a premium of around $0.20/gallon to cover the extra wages and benefits and insurance risk etc.

The reason they discontinued it wasn't that the gas stations minded selling the service, it was that approximately nobody opted to pay extra when given the choice. Which is why they only really survive today where it's required by law -- there is no law in the other states prohibiting it, there just aren't enough people who actually want it to justify having it.

[dontbenebby]

But elevator operators also served as security - they knew the occupants and could spot trouble. CCTV can be forwarded to the police after a crime but it can't say "Hey, I haven't seen you before, what unit are you in again?"

[function_seven]

There’s a good parallel there. In a modern building, there may be a single guard in the lobby checking for badges, as well as RFID access control in each car. Similarly, most self-checkout arrangements have one cashier monitoring 4 or more self-service stations.