New ‘Gate Lice’ Policy Sure to Have Illinois Travelers Scratching Their Heads

You've been waiting months, maybe even years, to take this trip, and just as you're getting ready to board, a mass of humanity is all around you.

Those people are effectively called "gate lice."

These travelers are already waiting at the gates to board, even though their group number has yet to be called.

Why Are There So Many Gate Lice?

Sometimes, these gate lice even try to board the plane with groups other than the ones that they have been assigned.

American Airlines has had enough of that foolishness. They plan to make our lives a bit easier by rolling out a new policy to deal with those pesky gate lice, and it's only a matter of time before it makes its way to O'Hare.

They are testing the new boarding process in three different airports. The technology will alert gate staff when passengers try to board when it's not their turn.

What Does This Mean for O'Hare Travelers, and How Will This Work?

This new tech for American Airlines should minimize gate mobbing so you won't feel like it's Black Friday whenever you need to hop on a plane.

If you are caught trying to board an American Airlines flight with the wrong numbered group, a sound will signal that the passenger's group cannot board yet.

Why This Change is Good (For All of Us)

Instead of feeling like it's Thunderdome and needing to get up and fight for a spot in line just to get crammed into a plane, you could just wait for your group number to be called and walk up like it's no big deal.

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I get it, I have travel anxiety. I think plenty of us do, and there's that feeling of safety that comes from getting on the plane right away, but the truth is, if you just play along, that anxiety will subside eventually.

What's worse than not getting that coveted overhead space for your carry-on bag? A little public shaming from that "wrong group" ding that'll go off the next time you're trying to board a plane too early.