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star trek - Why do people step to positions to be transported, even if there isn't a transporter pad?


After watching (I'm sure quite too) many Star Trek episodes, I've noticed a number of occasions where the characters seem to step away or onto a more specific location to get transported, even if they are not anywhere near a transporter "pad."


Recently, I noticed this at the end of Deep Space Nine, Season 4, Episode 11, Paradise Lost - Part 2 where it's clear that Sisko steps slightly out of the way and closer to the group of other people to get transported, before he actually is ...


However, I've noticed this, to some extent in episodes of all 5 live-action TV series.


So, the question is ... is there there something inherent in transporter technology that requires people to be either:




  1. Closer together in proximity or ...

  2. In a certain location before normal transportation is possible?


Note: I realize this is sci-fi and an easy answer is "well it's a bit of a plot device, it depends ..." That's kinda weak, I'm looking for a more well-rounded anwser.



Answer



A little bit from Memory Alpha to provide background for my reasoning:



A typical transport sequence began with a coordinate lock, during which the destination was verified and programmed, via the targeting scanners. Obtaining or maintaining a transporter lock enables the transporter operator to know the subject's location, even in motion, allowing the beaming process to start more quickly. This is an essential safety precaution when a starship away team enters a potentially dangerous situation that would require an emergency beam-out.


A transporter lock was usually maintained by tracing the homing signal of a communicator or combadge. When there was a risk that such devices would be lost in the field or are otherwise unavailable, personnel could be implanted with a subcutaneous transponder before an away mission, to still provide a means to maintain a transporter lock. Alternatively, sensors could be used to scan for the biosign or energy signature of a subject, which could then be fed into the transporter's targeting scanner for a lock.




Basically, it's just easier. Usually, someone will say something like "5 to beam up". The question for the transporter operator is: Which 5? When there's more life signs and/or combadges around, they'll just choose the 4 that are next to the one who gave the command.


As to why they do it even when they're the only ones nearby on the planet, I'd say it's become an automatic reaction. Like how we turn around after entering an elevator/lift.


There's also much rarer instances where they have to do a blind area transport, but I don't think that's what this question is asking about.


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