A new breed of irritating traveller is clogging up aircraft aisles and sparking fury online. Dubbed 'aisle lice', these are the passengers who leap to their feet the moment a plane touches down, often before the seatbelt sign is switched off, in a frantic bid to be first off.
The Rise of the 'Aisle Lice'
While the urge to stretch one's legs after a long flight is understandable, the issue has been magnified by social media, where videos of the phenomenon are shared widely. The behaviour is more than just a breach of etiquette; it can cause genuine disruption and safety concerns.
A stark example occurred in October on a Frontier Airlines flight landing in Baltimore, Maryland. Footage showed a passenger blocking the aisle and refusing to move, preventing others from disembarking. This led to a confrontation where fellow travellers demanded she get out of the way.
American flight attendant Cecily Anderson told Reader's Digest that such actions are not merely annoying but slow down the entire disembarkation process for everyone. The standard protocol is clear: wait for the seatbelt sign to turn off, gather belongings, and exit row by row from the front. This orderly system is designed specifically to help those with tight connections disembark quickly.
New Fines and Passenger Backlash
In a direct move to combat this trend, Turkish authorities have introduced new measures. Impatient passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts, stand up, or open overhead bins before the plane is fully stopped and parked at the terminal now risk a fine of £50.
Online, many travellers have voiced their frustration with 'aisle lice'. One Reddit user complained about the discomfort of "having someone's rear end standing beside my face" while waiting. Another recounted a dangerous incident where two passengers stood up and retrieved their bags during landing on a flight to Manchester, describing it as "stupidly and dangerously early".
Some defend the practice, citing the need to make a tight connection. However, flight crew advise there are polite ways to handle this. International flight attendant Angela McMurray suggests it's acceptable to stand and stretch within your seat area and to prepare your belongings in advance. "The worst thing you can do is wait until it's your turn and then start fumbling around," she said.
How to Avoid Being Part of the Problem
For those eager to deplane swiftly without causing a scene, the advice is straightforward. Follow the crew's instructions, prepare your items while seated, and be ready to move when your row's turn comes. As McMurray wryly notes, a simple but often forgotten step is to "put your darn shoes on" before you try to leave.
The debate highlights a growing tension in air travel between individual impatience and collective courtesy. With new fines on the horizon, the message to 'aisle lice' is clear: your rush could now cost you more than just dirty looks from fellow passengers.
