be packed in like cattle

Of a large group or number of people, to be fit tightly into some enclosed space. The airline doesn't care if we're packed in like cattle, so long as they get our ticket fare. Sorry, I can't go the game with you—being packed in like cattle with tens of thousands of other people really triggers my claustrophobia. We were packed in like cattle on the floor at the Rolling Stones concert, but I didn't care—I had a blast!