first-come-first-served
Order determines access
First-come-first-served describes a system where people are helped or served in the order they arrive, with no reservations or priority given to anyone: Seating is first-come-first-served, so get there early.
The principle applies to queues, ticket sales, limited supplies, and any situation where demand may exceed availability.
Just and unbiased
- impartialShowing no preference
- unbiasedFree from prejudice
- non-discriminatoryTreating all parties equally
- egalitarianEquality principle supporter
equal-opportunity · objective · neutral · even-handed · transparent · democratic
Ordered succession of elements
- chronologicalOrdered by time
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- procedurePrescribed sequence of actions
protocol · scheduling · rotation · succession · turn-taking · processing · enrollment · allocation
Remaining in expectation
- lineContinuous mark or queue
- turnRotational movement
- ticketEntry permit slip
- numberSymbol representing quantity
counter · waitlist · formation · entry · registration · lineup · reception · triage
Restricted in extent
- availabilityState of being obtainable
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- allocationDistribution of shares
- supplyFurnish or stock
demand · sold-out · capacity · shortage · competition · rush · deadline · cutoff
equitable
Just and unbiased
- impartialShowing no preference
- unbiasedFree from prejudice
- non-discriminatoryTreating all parties equally
egalitarian · equal-opportunity · objective · neutral · even-handed · transparent · democratic
sequence
Ordered succession of elements
- chronologicalOrdered by time
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
procedure · protocol · scheduling · rotation · succession · turn-taking · processing · enrollment · allocation · precedence
waiting
Remaining in expectation
number · counter · waitlist · formation · entry · registration · lineup · reception · triage · backlog
limited
Restricted in extent
- availabilityState of being obtainable
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- allocationDistribution of shares
supply · demand · sold-out · capacity · shortage · competition · rush · deadline · cutoff · quota
- schedulingappointments, appointment, calendar, booking, bookings
first-come-first-servedmerit-based
Awarded by achievement
by appointment · lottery · need-based · means-tested · random selection
first-come-first-servedVIP access
Privileged entry for notables
exclusive · class-based · elite access · velvet rope · hierarchical
first-come-first-servedpreferential treatment
Advantages given selectively
elitist · exclusionary · nepotism · favoritism · cronyism
first, serve, served, firsts, firstly, comes, coming, serves, server