If you think “door lice” are different from hair lice, you’re not wrong.

Door lice tend to swarm in large groups, are difficult to shake, and their annoying presence can persist long after they first appear.

To combat this infestation at airports, a
WE The carrier American Airlines has been testing a new system in recent weeks to solve this problem once and for all and make the boarding process easier for passengers.

But who exactly are the “door lice”? How does American Airlines plan to deal with this? Here’s a closer look.

What does “door lice” mean?

“Door lice” is a term used to describe passengers who board before their designated group is called, often rushing to the gate as early as possible, in an attempt to board early and secure the space upper compartments.

A flight attendant recently said Reader Summary that “gate lice” are people crowding at the boarding gate, which “makes it difficult for those with legitimate pre-boarding needs to access the boarding gate.”

Another term used is “boarding group jumpers”.

Gary Leff of the Airline Industry Website View from the wing said NPR, “In general, you’ll find more ‘door lice’… traveling to and from leisure destinations, and when traveling during rush hour. Sundays in Orlando, for example!

Why do people “get lice”?

The “door lice” problem grew out of a real problem, said Ben Mutzabaugh, editor of aviation content for travel blog The Points Guy. Fortune.

In 2008, airlines lobbied to increase fees for checked baggage, as a result of which passengers increasingly opted for carry-on bags to avoid both fees and waiting when checking in. baggage claim. This led to an increased demand for limited luggage compartment space, as no one wanted to be the first passenger forced to check their bag at the gate.

“Once this started to become the new normal, and people realized that this was reality, it created a lot of anxiety among players who were trying to get on the plane early,” said Mutzabaugh to the magazine.

However, Leff emphasizes that early boarding isn’t just about securing trash space.

What door lice really want, he says, is the sense of relief and control that comes from finally reaching their seat: “They’ve done everything they can to make sure their trip goes smoothly; everything within their control, from arriving at the airport to going through security and boarding the plane, is done,” he said. NPR.

This collective anxiety when boarding, however, risks becoming chaotic. The Federal Aviation Administration has already referred 43 unruly passengers to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) this year and since 2021, has referred 310 of the most serious cases, including incidents of assault against flight attendants or other passengers, to the investigative agency.

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How does American Airlines solve the problem?

American Airlines is testing new technology to alert passengers and gate agents when someone attempts to board before their seat group is called.

The system will “beep” whenever a passenger attempts to board early, prompting the gate agent to redirect the passenger to their assigned group.

We are in the first phase of testing the new technology used during the boarding process,” American Airlines said. News week in a statement. “The new technology is designed to ensure customers easily receive the benefits of priority boarding and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team.”

According to NBC Newsthis system is already being tested at the Albuquerque International Solar Port in New Mexico, the Tucson International Airport in Arizona and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia.

“We are pleased with the test results so far,” the airline said. NPR.

This update comes as other airlines are changing their boarding processes. Southwest, known for its “open seating” model, announced it would move to assigned seats starting in 2026. In 2023, United Airlines began boarding passengers in economy class with window seats, according to NBC News.

Mutzabaugh noted that American Airlines’ strategy is “wise” because it frees gate agents from having to deal with unruly passengers. “You can be angry at the machine, but it’s probably better than being angry at the gate agent,” he said, adding: “A little order goes a long way these days.”

With the contribution of agencies