The Waiting Room on the Runway

Sometimes you get on a plane, and then you have to wait on the plane for 2 hours before it takes off. This is ridiculous.

If the plane isn't going to take off (and this is usually known quite well in advance), then putting the people on the plane really only serves two purposes: (1) to get them out of the crowded airport, and (2) to allow them to put their luggage in the overhead bins.

As a waiting area, the cabin of a plane is a most despicable, inappropriate location.

If there are any contingencies (e.g. bad weather ahead, plane needs to be refueled, something on the plane needs to be repaired), then the passengers should be driven to a secure waiting area near the runway where they can get off the plane and wait in comfort (if desired) until the plane has been definitively cleared for takeoff. They will then get back on the plane just before it takes off.

Getting the passengers off and on is quick, because they can leave all their luggage on the plane. The people have already gone through security so they are all known to be "clean". The waiting room will contain only safe objects, so nothing can be taken that can be used as a weapon.

Meanwhile, the runway waiting room offers clean bathrooms (so you don't have to use the grungy airplane lavatory); vending machines (so you don't deplete the airplane's meager snack supply); magazines (different from the ones on the plane), a television, a bar, and a few video games as well.

Having a comfortable runway waiting room will allow airlines to be more truthful with the passengers; instead of placating them with "just a few more minutes" they can let them into the waiting room and tell them the real expected time of departure.

With fewer angry, disgruntled passengers, the airline's business will burgeon and the employees' (particularly flight staff) quality of life will improve dramatically.