What is portal lice? How does a US airline try to combat this?

‘Gate lice’ are impatient passengers who board before their designated group has been called, in an attempt to board the plane early and secure space in the baggage compartment. This often leads to chaos and crowds at boarding gates, which annoys both staff and fellow passengers, but a US airline has found a solution to this problem

If you think that ‘portal lice’ are different from hair lice, you are wrong.

Port lice tend to swarm in large groups, are difficult to shake off, and their annoying presence can linger long after they first appear.

To tackle this scourge at airports, a
US American Airlines has been testing a new system in recent weeks to solve this problem once and for all and smooth the boarding process for passengers.

But who exactly are ‘gate lice’? How does American Airlines plan to handle this? Here’s a closer look.

What does ‘gate lice’ mean?

“Gate lice” is a term used to describe passengers who board before their designated group is called, often lining up at the gate as early as possible in an attempt to board early and use the space above their luggage to secure.

A flight attendant recently said this Reader’s Digest those “gate lice” are people who crowd at the boarding gate, which “makes it difficult for people with legitimate pre-boarding needs to get to the boarding door.”

**‘Gate lice’ are also called ‘boarding group jumpers’. Image for representation. Reuters**

Another term used is ‘boarding group jumpers’.

Gary Leff of the Aviation Industry website View from the wing told NPR “Generally you will encounter more ‘gate lice’ on your way to or back from leisure destinations, and traveling during peak leisure times. Sundays in Orlando for example!”

Why ‘gate lice’ people?

The “port lice” issue arose from a real problem, Ben Mutzabaugh, editor-in-chief of aviation content for travel blog The Points Guy, explained to Fortune.

In 2008, airlines pushed to increase checked bag fees, after which passengers increasingly opted for carry-on bags to avoid both the fees and the wait at baggage claim. This led to an increased demand for limited overhead luggage space, as no one wanted to be the first passenger to have to check their bag at the gate.

“Once that started to become the new normal, and people understood that as a reality, it created a lot of anxiety for players to get on a plane early,” Mutzabaugh told the magazine.

However, Leff points out that early boarding isn’t just about securing space in the luggage compartment.

Gate lice is a term used to describe passengers who board before their designated group is called, often arriving at the gate as early as possible, in an attempt to board early and avoid the overhead bin. to secure. Reuters

What gate lice really want, he says, is the feeling of relief and control that comes with finally reaching their perch: “They have done everything they can to ensure their journey is smooth; everything they control, from reaching the airport to passing through security and boarding the plane, has been done,” he said NPR.

However, this collective entry fear can become chaotic. The Federal Aviation Administration has already referred 43 unruly passengers this year to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and has referred 310 of the most serious cases – including incidents of assault against flight attendants or other passengers – to the investigating agency since 2021.

Also read:
What is ‘raw-dogging’ on flights, the latest travel trend?

How is American Airlines addressing the problem?

American Airlines is testing new technology to alert passengers and gate agents when someone tries to board before their seating group is called.

The system emits an “audible signal” when a passenger attempts to board early, prompting the gate agent to direct the passenger back to the assigned group.

We are in the early stages of testing new technology used during the boarding process,” American Airlines said Newsweek in a statement. “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.”

**American Airlines is testing new technology to alert passengers and gate agents when someone tries to board before their seating group is called. Reuters**

According to NBC Newsthis system is already being tested at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico, Tucson International Airport in Arizona and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia.

“We are satisfied with the results of the test so far,” the airline said NPR.

This update comes as other airlines are making changes to their boarding processes. Southwest, known for its “open seating” model, announced it would move to assigned seating starting in 2026. In 2023, United Airlines first began boarding economy passengers with window seats, according to NBC News.

Mutzabaugh noted that American Airlines’ strategy is “sensible” because it means gate agents will no longer have to deal with unruly passengers. “You can be angry at the machine, but that’s probably better than being angry at the gate agent,” he said, adding: “A little order goes a long way these days.”

With input from agencies