gate lice
{{Short description|Airport passengers waiting at boarding gates early}}
Gate lice is a pejorative term used to describe a phenomenon observed among air travelers where passengers gather in front of boarding gates before their designated boarding time.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Matt |date=2008-10-20 |title=Barbarians at the Gate?: Elite Fliers Bemoan "Gate Lice" |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-MSB-306 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite web |last=Bink |first=Addy |date=2024-02-04 |title=‘Gate lice’: Who are they, and how can you avoid being one |url=https://www.wfla.com/news/national/gate-lice-who-are-they-and-how-can-you-avoid-being-one/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=WFLA}}{{cite web |last=Muther |first=Christopher |date=2019-03-14 |title=Avoid gate lice and wear your headphones: The dos and don’ts of airport etiquette |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2019/03/14/avoid-gate-lice-and-wear-your-headphones-the-and-don-airport-etiquette/k40yaRkmGtXOMSX1Ef45LJ/story.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=BostonGlobe.com}} The term has gained recognition within the community of frequent flyers, particularly on platforms such as Flyertalk. This phenomenon may make the boarding process more cumbersome.{{cite web |last=Andrade |first=Sofia |date=2023-12-13 |title=Why do ‘gate lice’ line up early for a flight? Psychologists explain. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/12/13/gate-lice-plane-boarding-line/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Washington Post}} For instance, it can lead to congestion, longer wait times for those who have prioritized boarding, and confusion. To avoid behaving in this manner, it is recommended to stay in one's seat until one's boarding zone is called.{{cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=Don’t be ‘gate lice’ lurking near airport boarding zones (and other flying etiquette tips to help you be a model jet-setter this summer) |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/don-t-be-gate-lice-lurking-near-airport-boarding-zones-and-other-flying-etiquette-tips/article_1e43e556-87a1-526e-95af-f4aea5b5c663.html |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Toronto Star}}
Contributing factors
The rationale for gate lice behavior may be due to various contributing factors. Some attribute it to the inexperience of certain travelers who may not fully comprehend airline boarding procedures. Additionally, the presence of elite fliers with priority boarding privileges board early, forming clusters in front of the gate and contributing to congestion. Airport gate designs can also play a role, for example at O'Hare International Airport gate layouts are conducive for congestion. The baggage fees may also play a role, as some passengers may seek to board early to secure overhead bin space to potentially avoid fees. Also, people may seek the overhead bin space to avoid lost luggage.{{cite web |last=Towey |first=Hannah |date=2023-06-15 |title=and why you don't want to be called 'gate lice' at the airport |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-attendant-pet-peeves-passengers-gate-lice-boarding-crowds-2023-3 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Business Insider}} In some cases, people may seek overhead bin space to store items required on the flight.{{cite web |last=Yasa |first=Dilvin |date=2023-12-22 |title=Gate lice? That's a title I'm happy to wear |url=https://www.escape.com.au/travel-advice/gate-lice-thats-a-title-im-happy-to-wear/news-story/73435282699f78a9d3dd6cc6e783a252?nk=cbaa0e5ebe83456041c084bb68c29807-1707202443 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=escape}}
Psychological factors may also play a role. When people see other people crowding the boarding area, there may be a social tendency to move towards conformity.{{cite web |last=Glover |first=Ella |date=2023-12-15 |title=Airline workers have a name for people who queue up early to board the plane |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/12/15/gate-lice-people-queue-board-plane-unnecessarily-19980995/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=Metro}} Also, the overhead bin space may be viewed as a limited resource leading to competition. The underlying uncertainty and competition may lead to anxiety and hostility. Waiting in line may also help bring a sense of control as well as relieve anxiety.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the phenomenon has increased possibly as travelers have become more anxious.
Industry response
Some airlines have implemented measures to address the challenges posed by gate lice.{{cite web |last=Koenig |first=David |date=2013-08-03 |title=Getting rid of 'gate lice' in airline boarding |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/getting-rid-of-lsquogate-licersquo-in-airline-boarding/ |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=The Seattle Times}} This includes the creation of dedicated lanes for elite fliers and the removal of special pre-boarding privileges for families with small children. Various airlines, such as United, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and Southwest, have introduced priority boarding programs catering to specific customer groups.
As of October 2024, American Airlines was testing a program in several U.S. airports that alerts gate agents to passengers who attempt to board before their assigned boarding group. The system creates an audible signal when the passenger's boarding pass is scanned before their boarding group is called.{{cite news |last1=Christobek |first1=Kate |title=Attention, Passengers: Someone Is Skipping the Line at Your Gate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/business/american-airlines-line-cutters.html |access-date=October 25, 2024 |work=New York Times |date=October 23, 2024}}