How American Airlines Combats 'Gate Lice' During the Boarding Process

Key Takeaways

Boarding an airline is a process that causes stress for both travelers and crew members.
On many flights, dozens of passengers line up well in advance to board the plane to grab the limited space in the overhead bin, while other travelers wheelchair their way onto the flight early to claim the most desirable seats .
American Airlines is the latest airline to try to make a change by updating a procedure that could help eliminate “gate lice.”

Do you hate what a mess it can be on board a plane? Airlines do that too.

On many flights, dozens of passengers queue up well in advance to board the flight in order to secure the limited space above their luggage. Some travelers try to get to flights early in wheelchairs. All told, the process is a source of stress for virtually everyone involved, at a time when most people probably just want to sit down and take off. That’s why airlines are constantly trying to fine-tune things.

US airlines (AAL) is the newest.

American Airlines Takes Action Against ‘Gate Lice’

American is changing a procedure that can help eliminate ‘port lice’. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, “gate lice” is a pejorative term used to describe people who hang around the gates long before it is time for their group to board.

“In general, you’ll encounter more ‘port lice’… on your way to or back from leisure destinations, and traveling during peak leisure times,” says Gary Leff, owner of the travel blog. View from the wing. “Sunday in Orlando, for example!”

American Airlines is testing a system at three airports: Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico; Tucson International Airport in Arizona; and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – which will emit a sound to alert gate agents when people attempt to board before their group is called.

“We are in the early stages of testing new technology used during the boarding process,” American Airlines said in a statement Investopedia. “The new technology is designed to ensure customers easily receive the benefits of priority boarding and helps improve the boarding experience by giving our team greater visibility into boarding progress.”

Other airlines are addressing boarding challenges

Southwest Airlines (LUV), meanwhile, this summer an open-seating policy that had been in place for more than half a century changed, move to assigned seating more in line with most of the industry.

In doing so, it may inadvertently address another boarding wrinkle known as the “Jetbridge Jesus” phenomenon. To get an early start with open seating, some Southwest passengers request wheelchairs so they can board early and get the seats they want. On some Southwest flights, 20 or more passengers require wheelchairs to board, but only a few need them to depart.View from the wing reported.

Behold, the healing powers of flying! (“Preboarding for people with disabilities is protected by DOT regulations,” a Southwest spokesperson told us Investopedia. “It’s not our job to pontificate about these disabilities.”) Seat assignments may not completely eliminate some travelers’ desire to board early, but it could reduce the tension that leads some to take advantage to search.

Whatever Southwest’s intention when it announced the change, it had been under pressure from activist Elliott Investment Management for months shake up the companypassengers will be happy that one of their annoyances can disappear.

Among other airlines changing their seat policies is United Airlines (UAL) launched a feature earlier this year that would alert travelers if seats they preferred on busy flights became available after they booked their tickets, according to reports, and last year launched a “window-to-aisle” boarding process that reportedly aims to to speed up the process.

Delta (VALLEY), meanwhile, earlier this year reverted to boarding based on zone numbers rather than named groups, reportedly an attempt at greater simplicity.