A new American Airlines program is trying to combat these airport pests and their rude behavior—here’s how
What You Need to Know About “Gate Lice” at the Airport
Published on Oct. 23, 2024
While you may dream about traveling more, the actual “traveling” part is not always what it’s cracked up to be. In fact, navigating your way through an airport can be downright annoying—especially if you encounter gate lice. Before you start getting itchy, know that these aren’t actual lice. This term refers to passengers who crowd the gate like swarming insects long before their group is called to board the plane. And while they might not make you itchy, they certainly will make you angry.
As a professional travel writer who has probably flown at least twice a month for the past decade, I can attest to that. Flight attendants and gate agents despise this behavior too, and apparently, so does American Airlines. In fact, it’s rolling out a new program that aims to stop gate lice and ensure the boarding process goes according to plan.
Read on to find out why more and more people are ignoring basic airline etiquette, what American Airlines is doing about it and how you can make your next airport experience a whole lot better with a few smart strategies.
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Why are “gate lice” a problem?
Flight crews and gate agents try to make the boarding process go as smoothly as possible, prioritizing efficiency, safety and accessibility. Gate lice get in the way of that—and can delay your flight. For starters, they can affect preflight prep, as crew members and cleaning staff sometimes struggle to get through the crowd. Jackie S., a longtime flight attendant, notes that the crew usually arrives an hour before a flight, and even then, she’s seen people starting to bunch in groups and crowd the area.
Beyond annoying flight attendants and other airport personnel, gate lice can block pathways needed by those with actual priority needs, like families with young children or passengers with wheelchairs. “When passengers are crowding the boarding area, it makes it difficult for those with legitimate needs for preboarding to get to the boarding door,” explains Jackie. “Other boarding cannot begin until those people have boarded.”
I want to add that this rude behavior can also put the safety of passengers with mobility issues at risk. I have experienced this when flying with my mom, who sometimes needs a wheelchair if the gate is far from security or simply needs more time when boarding due to her slower pace. When people don’t clear out of the way, it makes me nervous that someone will knock into her and cause her to fall.
Why do passengers crowd the gate?
The kind way to look at this rude behavior is that people have anxiety when traveling. The not-so-kind way that’s also true? They are prioritizing their needs and comforts above everyone else’s. Either way, many travelers feel the pressure to line up early so they can secure space in the overhead bins since there’s not enough room for every carry-on bag on most flights.
The irony? “Some gate lice are frequent fliers and passengers who have high enough status to board early, so there’s rarely a problem finding space for their luggage,” says Heather Poole, a longtime flight attendant and the author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet. In those cases (as well as many others), it boils down to wanting to get settled early and not having to wait—especially if there aren’t enough seats in the terminal to relax in, which Poole says can be exacerbated by people spreading out on multiple seats with their various items.
Problems also arise with passengers who may want to swap seats on the flight itself. “Occasionally, people will board earlier than they are supposed to because they are traveling with someone else and are not seated together,” Jackie says. “They figure that if they get on first and sit in the wrong seat to be next to their traveling companion, the person who is supposed to be in that seat will just switch with them. That actually happens quite a bit and is very unfair to the person who is assigned to that seat, which is almost always a window or an aisle.”
We also can’t discount human nature. After all, once you see a few people standing around the gate, ready to hop in front of you, you may start to feel like you should be doing the same thing. That Lord of the Flies–style competition just might get the best of us sometimes. (But please restrain yourself!)
What is American Airlines doing to stop gate lice?
American Airlines is testing out a new system that will not just prevent people from cutting the line but also (hopefully) shame them into not doing it again. The new technology gives gate agents an “audible signal” when a passenger tries to board early—at which point, the passenger will need to step aside and wait until their zone has been called. (Like they should have in the first place!)
While it’s still in the early phases of testing, this technology is already being used at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico and Tucson International Airport in Arizona, and it will soon roll out at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia.
American Airlines reports that it’s “pleased” with the early results of the program.
How to avoid gate-lice behavior
Just because you’re not pushing your way to the front of the line, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get what you need or want on a flight. I know that from my years of experience as a frequent flier, as do the flight attendants I spoke with. The following tips can help you avoid becoming a pest at the airport—but still get that coveted spot for your carry-on.
Wait until your boarding group is called
No skipping the line! Gate agents organize boarding in a specific order for efficiency. Waiting until your group is called keeps the process moving and ensures that those who need extra assistance can board comfortably.
“It is best to wait comfortably seated in the gate area until your boarding zone is called. If everyone did that, the lines for each zone would be shorter and move more quickly, and the process on board the aircraft would be more efficient as well,” says Jackie. “If you don’t want to stay seated or can’t find a seat, stand on the opposite side of the boarding area—out of the way. Also, do not stand in the hallway of the concourse.”
The bottom line, according to Jackie? “Basically, just wait your turn!”
Get an airline credit card for early boarding perks
Many airline credit cards provide priority boarding, free checked bags and mileage bonuses, making it easier to board early and secure space for carry-ons. As an experienced flier, I maintain credit cards for United, American and Delta, and sometimes JetBlue, Alaska and Southwest. Every couple of years, I also take advantage of new sign-up bonuses to earn extra miles and enjoy these perks, making flights less stressful and often more affordable. Plus, no matter where my seat is, I can get in that earlier boarding group because I have priority access from these cards.
Use early boarding options if needed
If you’re traveling with young children, require additional assistance or have other boarding needs, you can arrange early boarding with the gate agent. This option ensures that you have a bit more time to settle in. Even just a quick chat with the gate agent to confirm your boarding group or special requests can ensure a smoother process—and ensure you don’t add to the chaos that often builds up at the gate.
Pack mindfully for your flight
Maybe if you know that you won’t have an issue with your carry-ons, you’ll be more likely to relax before boarding—and less likely to engage in gate-lice behavior. The first step here is knowing your airline’s baggage policy. Beyond that, you may want to try reducing your need for overhead storage by opting for smaller bags that fit under the seat.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this story on gate lice, Lisa Niver tapped her experience as a travel journalist to ensure all information is accurate. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Heather Poole, flight attendant and author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet; email interview, Oct. 19, 2024
- Jackie S., longtime flight attendant; email interview, Oct. 19, 2024
- The Washington Post: “‘Gate lice’ beware: American Airlines is catching early boarders”
- People: “American Airlines’ New Boarding Process Sees Line Cutters Shamed and Sent to the Back”
