American Airlines is cracking down on gate
lice.
It’s a problem, but not a health problem.
Instead, it is the unaffectionately not so
flattering term for passengers who swarm the gate when their group is not
called.
American is
testing a way to avoid the situation. Electronically.
American is using a system at airports in
New Mexico, Arizona and Virginia to beta test passengers who are assigned a
certain group to board and try to skirt that rule by boarding early. They are
given an electronic sensor that beeps if you to board the plane outside of your
assigned group. There are no fines or repercussions other than the violator
being sent to his or her correct group.
It's a worthy idea.
Gate lice is a real time-consuming
problem. That is especially true for airlines facing difficult turnaround
times. Every minute counts. Staying on schedule is how airlines make money. And
you know the type of passenger we are talking about. They are the surreptitious
people who have been assigned to board and Group E and try to sneak in on Group
A in order to get to their seat early or to claim coveted overhead bin space.
They can be ubiquitous, hence the name.
“We’ve been pleased with the results of
the test so far,” American told CNN by email.
There are probably more important issues
for airlines to tackle. Frankly, it sounds like the person who honks his car
horn in the middle of a traffic tie-up like it’s going to help. Gate lice can
be a nuisance but you get annoyed with people who try to jump the line.
Rules are meant to be followed.
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