A woman is raising awareness about an unwanted airport habit emerging among some passengers during the boarding process, branding guilty parties "gate lice" and urging fellow travellers to stop. The controversial trend has left countless weary travellers exasperated.
What Are 'Gate Lice'?
Heading to the airport typically stirs up a mixture of excitement and stress. Most people are eager to escape on a well-deserved break, yet the seemingly endless queues and security checks can quickly dampen the mood. When boarding finally begins, most airlines call passengers forward in groups according to their seat numbers. However, an increasingly common trend has emerged among some overly keen travellers, who choose to congregate near the boarding gate and obstruct those who are actually due to board.
Some suggest this behaviour stems from a desire to sneak on early, regardless of their assigned group number. A woman named Auburn, who posts online under the username Tiny Traveler, uploaded a TikTok video filmed at the airport before a recent journey. The clip shows a crowd of passengers gathered at the boarding area despite it not being their turn, according to Auburn.
In text overlaid on the footage, Auburn wrote: "These are gate lice. Gate lice crowd a boarding area even if they're the sixth group to board. They are then in the way and hold up the boarding process. Don't be a gate lice - stand back and wait your turn. No one wants to be on the flying metal tube longer than needed, right?"
In her video's caption, Auburn explained further: "Don't be a gate lice. And before you say anything - I was Group 1 and all of these people were not Group 1. What's your opinions on being the first to board and holding up the lines?"
Reactions from Social Media
Fellow TikTok users flocked to the comments section to voice their views. One person said: "As a gate agent I hate that and I don't allow it." Another said: "I don't care what group I'm in, I will keep my happy a** in [the] bar until the last group is called." A third agreed: "I board last anyway. Why rush to sit and wait on a tiny hot plane."
Others put forward theories about why this behaviour has become commonplace. One TikTok user commented: "Gate lice became an issue when airlines started charging for checked bags. Now everyone has a carry-on but there isn't enough room. So people crowd the gate hoping to get on before all the overhead space is taken. This is a problem airlines created to make more money."
Another said: "Well, when people are too cheap to pay for a checked bag and try to put a week's worth of luggage in a carry-on, they use up the overhead space. People want to be the first of their group to try and get a spot for their carry-on."
One person took issue with Auburn's phrasing. They said: "'Gate Lice'? These are just people. Please choose kindness." Another suggested: "Some people just like to stand to stretch their legs, they could be sitting for the next 10 hours or so."
Airlines Blamed for the Problem
Many viewers believe the airlines have created this problem. One said: "It's honestly the airline's fault!!!" Another said: "Flying has deteriorated to absolute misery. Buses are more enjoyable. I miss the 90s." While someone else added: "The last couple of times I've flown I've said someone needs to write a book on airplane etiquette."
