FORT WORTH, Texas — If you've flown, you've probably seen the stray passenger start trying to board inconspicuously before their designated boarding group is called. Airline workers and frequent flyers call those passengers "gate lice."
Fort Worth-based American Airlines is testing new technology to pick out those gate lice with a fine-toothed comb. In a statement, the airline said it was in an "early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process."
"The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team," American Airlines wrote in a statement.
According to The Washington Post, the software gives an “audible signal” when someone tries to board with the wrong group and shows the gate agent a message with the correct group.
In a statement, American Airlines said it's testing the technology in Albuquerque (ABQ), Tucson (TUS) and Arlington, Virginia (DCA). So far, the airline says it is "pleased with the results..."
So if you're a gate louse, beware! If American rolls this technology out nationwide, you may have to wait your turn to save yourself some embarrassment.
