Airline workers have a less than flattering nickname for people who queue early to board the plane, with the group blamed for causing delays to the process
Airport staff have revealed the nickname passengers receive when they eagerly queue to board before the gate opens.
Travelling abroad often involves a lot of waiting. From saving up for the trip, hunting for the best flight deals, queuing for security checks, to waiting at passport control – it’s no wonder that the last thing anyone wants is to wait to board the plane.
This leads many travellers to hover near the gate as soon as it opens. However, this habit has earned them an unflattering nickname from airport staff: ‘gate lice’.
These eager passengers are found at airport gates worldwide, but why do they do it?
It doesn’t speed up the process and can even cause issues if those needing extra help have to navigate through the crowd. Psychologist Dr Audrey Tang told metro.co.uk that she believes it’s about control.
Do you queue for boarding early and if so, why? Let us know in the comments below.
“Queuing for boarding as soon as we are able to can help us to feel in control, which in turn makes us less stressed. Knowing you have faff time, especially with luggage or children, can also play a part. Maybe some people just like to be first but its largely to do with keeping ourselves calm,” reported the Daily Star.
However, other experts offer different views. For instance, Shira Gabriel, a psychology professor at the University of Buffalo, told the Washington Post that herd mentality plays a role in why people choose to queue at the gate.
“People will do any weird thing if they think that’s the way to behave. When you see people lining up, getting ready, it makes you feel there’s a benefit for that,” said Shira.
And indeed, there might be perks for those boarding first – nabbing overhead locker space right above their seats, prime armrest territory, and a few extra minutes in the sky-high sardine cans we call plane seats.
Rich Henderson, who served as a flight attendant for a decade and now runs the ‘Two Guys on a Plane’ blog, advised Business Insider readers that so-called gate lice should keep their distance until it’s nearly their turn to board.
“If our frequent fliers and top-tier people aren’t even close to getting on the plane and your crew isn’t even close to getting on the plane, you really have no business standing right at the gate,” he remarked.
But it’s not just loitering near the gate that can get you labelled, according to Clint Henderson, a seasoned traveller and managing editor at The Points Guy, who spoke to Nexstar about various passenger faux pas.
Latecomers to the boarding process or those without assigned seats are often dubbed “spinners” and “runners”. And heaven forbid you’re the type to immediately lower the window shade you might just be called a “view killer”.
He concedes that the term ‘gate lice’ is “really nasty” but insists these passengers do disrupt what should be a smooth operation.
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