A method of operating a laboratory automation system (10) is disclosed, wherein the laboratory automation system (10) comprises: - a number of laboratory stations (20), - a number of sample container carriers, wherein the sample container carriers are adapted to carry one or more sample containers, wherein the sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by means of the laboratory stations (20), - a transport plane (110), wherein the transport plane (110) is adapted to support the sample container carriers, and - drive means, wherein the drive means are adapted to move the sample container carriers on the transport plane (110), wherein the method comprises the steps: - during an initialization of the laboratory automation system (10): - logically reserving at least one buffer area (30) on the transport plane (110), and - after the initialization of the laboratory automation system (10): - buffering in the at least one buffer area (30) sample container carriers carrying sample containers, which sample containers comprise samples waiting for a result of an analysis, wherein depending on the result of the analysis, the samples have to be further processed.