What’s your airport pet peeve?
Traveling through the airport can be incredibly stressful, but it can be made even more so when things go wrong. We’ve experienced everything from problems at security to delayed flights to heavy crowds. But one thing that probably grinds everyone’s gears? Line cutters!
According to the Associated Press, American Airlines is now testing out a new system to crack down on “line cutters.” This new technology alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan their ticket and board the plane before their assigned group has been called.
“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,” said American Airlines in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.
The system is currently being tested at three airports — Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, Tucson International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. If the alert goes off, a gate agent is supposed to politely let the passenger know that it’s not their turn to board and that they’re unable to accept the boarding pass until their group is called. They’ll be asked to exit and rejoin the line at that later time.
Even though this is a trial phase, the airline has stated that it’s pleased with the results so far. Maybe we’ll see it expanded to other airports in the future!
Hopefully this will help crack down on those “gate lice” as well. If you don’t know what “gate lice” are, it’s a term used to describe those people who swarm the gate before it’s their turn to board. You know, the ones who get in the way and make it a challenge to get in line?
We’ll be on the lookout to see if any other airlines test out technology like this. If you’re the type of person who hates line-cutting, this is probably your airport dream come true! Stay tuned to DFB for more airport news and updates.
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What do you think of this new tech? Tell us in the comments!
Tammy says
Yes I wish they would crack down on the people crowding around the boarding area before they have been called. We have priority boarding and it’s so hard to fight your way to the boarding area with so many people clustered around.
toni says
i just flew Southwest from BNA to LGA. No electronic monitoring, but they were strict. Mostly people who had priority boarding trying to get travel partners on with them. That, and the carry on. If you had more than 2 items you either condensed it to two or had to check one. And a child without a ticket did not count toward carryon. It was interesting.
Tracy says
I hope every airline adopts this policy.