Condensation flow in packing

[bluedog]

I'm making a nuetral after not doing it for about a year. I tried packing the column looser this time (mixture of stainless and copper scrubbies). I got to 190, but im pretty sure it is running slower (like I said, I haven't done this in a while). This is the thing I don't understand, and I hope someone can enlighten me.

I've seen at least one post on here where someone puts a perferated plate with no downcomer at the base of the column. It can't drain, and the column floods. If the heavier fractions condensing downward through the column can't drain through the plate, how are they moving downward though the gobs of packing I've jammed in there super tight? Am I thinking about this the wrong way. Thanks.