American Airlines Tests New Technology to Crack Down on ‘Gate Lice’

Fort Worth-based American Airlines is introducing a new technology aimed at preventing passengers from boarding flights before their designated group is called. This initiative targets what airline workers and frequent flyers often refer to as “gate lice” – individuals who attempt to board early, disrupting the orderly boarding process.

The new system, currently in the early phase of testing, uses software that gives an audible signal and displays a message on the gate agent’s screen when a passenger tries to board with the wrong group. For instance, if a passenger from group 5 attempts to board during the group 1 boarding period, the system will alert the gate agent, who can then instruct the passenger to step aside and wait for their correct boarding time.

The technology is being tested at several airports, including Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ), Tucson International Airport (TUS), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. American Airlines has expressed satisfaction with the initial results, indicating that the system helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for airline staff.

Passengers who have witnessed the new system in action have shared positive feedback. On social media and forums, some have described the system as effective and appreciated the enforcement of proper boarding procedures. For example, one passenger noted that several individuals trying to board early were promptly told to step aside by the gate agent, thanks to the new technology.

This innovation is part of American Airlines’ effort to ensure that customers who have paid for priority boarding receive the benefits they are entitled to without the disruption caused by early boarders. If successful, the technology could be rolled out nationwide, significantly improving the boarding experience for all passengers.