Being at the airport can bring out the worst in some people, and the rule breaking starts before folks even get on the plane. There are rules governing the boarding process, but there is always passengers who try and skip the line. Apparently, the industry term for those eager beavers who try to board before their group is called, or who hover at the gate even though their boarding group is 6 zones away is “gate lice.” American Airlines is now testing a new gate lice deterrent system that employs good old fashioned public shaming for trying to cut in line.
American Airlines said the initiative is in response to growing frustration around travelers who disregard boarding instructions and amplify the already-chaotic process of boarding an aircraft. In order to ensure that these hate lice are sufficiently publicly flogged for their sins, the ticket scanning systems will emit a unique audible alert, notify the gate agent, and display the passengers correct boarding group number on the screen. The system is undergoing initial testing phases at Albuquerque International Sunport in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and at the Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Arizona. The airline intends to expand the trial to other airports, too, including Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
The audible alert system is basically the airport equivalent of having a cashier loudly announce that your credit card was declined in front of a line of people, but at least it only shames the folks who are trying to cut in line. According to an American Airlines spokesperson, the company is pleased with the results they have seen so far in the testing phases with the new software. If you or a loved one is expressing symptoms of gate lice, take a deep breath, check your ticket, and wait for your zone to be called. It’ll be okay. If you have to gate check your bag then you have to gate check your bag. Personally, I look forward to watching gate lice get zapped by the new software, I may even fly American just to watch it unfold.