# 'Gate lice' run-ins have flyers demanding more airlines 'crack down' on pesky travel trend

Travelers are calling on airlines to actively stop line-cutters during the boarding process.

American Airlines has already begun prohibiting people from boarding ahead of their proper zone, otherwise known as "gate lice."

Last year, before Thanksgiving, American rolled out a new technology used during boarding that audibly alerts gate agents when a passenger is attempting to board ahead of their designated assignment, Fox News Digital reported.



Other airlines have not yet adopted this protocol and travelers appear to be noticing the negative effects of gate lice.



People who try to board a plane ahead of their designated zone are referred to as "gate lice." (iStock)

A flight passenger took to the Reddit sub-thread r/unitedairlines to share their frustration surrounding the travel trend and how it negatively impacts other passengers.

"Kudos to ](https://www.foxnews.com/category/travel/general/airlines) for taking the lead on thwarting annoying people who are either too clueless to board with their assigned group or just being devious in a bid to board faster," the Reddit user wrote.

The user also said that gate lice affects how people stow carry-on luggage.

"With overhead bin space at a premium, this issue really matters. There’s nothing worse than having to store your carry-on  rows behind your seat and then having to wait until  deplanes before you can retrieve yours. And it happens," they wrote.

Another user who said he or she recently flew on an international flight said that gate agents had turned people away for not boarding in their assigned group.

"They also had a flight attendant ensuring that every person boarding was only putting a single larger/roller carry-on in the overhead bin (no backpacks, jackets, etc. They were forcing people to have these under their seats), and you could only put your larger carry-on above your seat, even if there was an empty space you were walking by you could not use it if it was not above YOUR seat," the person wrote.



Other Reddit users jumped in on the conversation to share their feelings about gate lice.



Rosalinda Randall, an etiquette expert, responded to the need for an alert system when boarding, saying, "As our social skills and courtesy weaken, creating a boarding tech position seems to be warranted." (iStock)

"There have always been passengers who try to get around the general boarding process. Today, it has become more prevalent. When caught, instead of admitting to it or shrugging with a clichéd, 'No harm in trying,' they become belligerent, still expecting to have their demands met," Randall said.

"There have always been passengers who try to get around the general boarding process. Today, it has become more prevalent. When caught, instead of admitting to it or shrugging with a clichéd, 'No harm in trying,' they become belligerent, still expecting to have their demands met," Randall said.

"Gate lice may have different reasons for jumping ahead of their assigned zone. Other than having a tight connecting flight or traveling with a disabled passenger, wait your turn," she added.

Randyall said those who board ahead of their assigned zone are being "inconsiderate" if they choose to  in the "prime bin space."



"What’s next, stickers on our carry-ons with our seat assignment? When we don’t follow the simple guidelines, airlines are forced to create rules. And, yes, for those of us who try to follow the rules and practice courtesy, it stinks and is frustrating," she said.



"Gate lice" passengers are no longer just cutting the line, they are now taking valuable overhead bin space from their fellow passengers. (iStock)

"If only common courtesy was practiced, AA or other airlines wouldn’t need to create a new position. As our social skills and courtesy weaken, creating a boarding tech position seems to be warranted," Randall said.

"Gone are the days when peer pressure, aka other passengers, would firmly remind the gate lice to go back to their designated zone. Today, speaking up can quickly turn into a brawl."





"There have always been passengers who try to get around the general boarding process. Today, it has become more prevalent. When caught, instead of admitting to it or shrugging with a clichéd, 'No harm in trying,' they become belligerent, still expecting to have their demands met," Randall said.

"Gate lice may have different reasons for jumping ahead of their assigned zone. Other than having a tight connecting flight or traveling with a disabled passenger, wait your turn," she added.

Randyall said those who board ahead of their assigned zone are being "inconsiderate" if they choose to  in the "prime bin space."



"Since they don’t follow the simple guidelines, airlines are forced to create rules. And, yes, for those of us who try to follow the rules and practice courtesy, it stinks and is frustrating," she said.



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Sydney Borchers is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital.
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