Gate lice’ beware: American Airlines is catching early boarders

[Anonymous]

Some impatient passengers may be in for a rude awakening the next time they try to line up early to get on a plane.
American Airlines has been piloting a system in recent weeks to flag when people attempt to board before their group has been called. Experts in human behavior say travelers who mass at the gate ahead of their turn do so out of a tendency to conform — and out of a sense of competition. Airline employees often refer to those passengers as “gate lice.”
American said that when someone tries to board with the wrong group, its software gives an “audible signal” and shows the gate agent a message with the correct group.
“We are in the early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process,” American said in a statement provided to The Washington Post. “The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team.”

….
will expand soon to other locations, including Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/10/22/american-airlines-boarding-gate-lice/

So what do you all think good or bad?

[Anonymous]

it should demote them to the last boarding group.

[Anonymous]

Can we please just start boarding from the rear on up line people up according to their seat number, with the back of the plane at the front of the line? I guarantee this will speed things up tremendously. The flight attendants can monitor to make sure people don’t put their carry-ons in any space other than what is allotted to their seat.

[Anonymous]

I don't see how this is will stop them from clumping up front. Sounds like it only prevents them from actually getting on the plane, which gate agents had to leeway to do to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we please just start boarding from the rear on up line people up according to their seat number, with the back of the plane at the front of the line? I guarantee this will speed things up tremendously. The flight attendants can monitor to make sure people don’t put their carry-ons in any space other than what is allotted to their seat.

But there is no overhead space allotted to any particular seat. This is the problem. It's a free for all when it comes to overhead space, unless you are in a premium cabin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we please just start boarding from the rear on up line people up according to their seat number, with the back of the plane at the front of the line? I guarantee this will speed things up tremendously. The flight attendants can monitor to make sure people don’t put their carry-ons in any space other than what is allotted to their seat.

But there is no overhead space allotted to any particular seat. This is the problem. It's a free for all when it comes to overhead space, unless you are in a premium cabin.

Not exactly true on AA. MCE pax are allotted their own bins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we please just start boarding from the rear on up line people up according to their seat number, with the back of the plane at the front of the line? I guarantee this will speed things up tremendously. The flight attendants can monitor to make sure people don’t put their carry-ons in any space other than what is allotted to their seat.

But there is no overhead space allotted to any particular seat. This is the problem. It's a free for all when it comes to overhead space, unless you are in a premium cabin.

Not exactly true on AA. MCE pax are allotted their own bins.

I've seen those taken over by regular economy. The flight attendants don't care the way they do about First/Business space.

[Anonymous]

Until we get rid of the crazy carryon wheeled suitcase epidemic, we will never be able to board the plane back to front. That was a relic from back when many more people checked bags and overhead space was not at a premium.

[Anonymous]

But that's not what gate lice are. IMO nothing wrong with gathering around waiting to board. Sometimes there just isn't anywhere else to sit or even stand.

Also, while I haven't traveled on AA, I travel on UA and DL all the time and I don't ever see anyone jumping the line and boarding outside their group.

[Anonymous]

I read this earlier this morning. If there was more overhead space, people wouldn't fight to get on first. I fly A LOT and get tired of airlines treating the customer like the enemy.

[Anonymous]

Shaming line cutters and rule breakers is always a win in my book.

[Anonymous]

I am a louse because I want to be ready when they call first or business because bozos put their carryons where I want to put mine then waddle back to economy.

[Anonymous]

Gate lice? What a gross phrase!

[Anonymous]

We always pay for priority boarding the people trying to get to the front of the line in the wrong group should be out on the no fly list and shamed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gate lice? What a gross phrase!

Perhaps, but it's an accepted phase among frequent travelers.