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Pensacola, FL – A gate agent at Pensacola International Airport is being praised online for their no-nonsense approach to enforcing American Airlines’ boarding zones. A Reddit user recounted witnessing the agent turning away several eager passengers attempting to board before their assigned zone was called. The Redditor described one “flustered and angry” passenger trying to board with Zone 5 while Zone 9 was being called as “a hoot.”
This incident comes as American Airlines expands its crackdown on so-called “gate lice,” those passengers who crowd the gate area and attempt to board earlier than their assigned zone. The airline has been piloting a new technology that alerts gate agents when passengers try to board out of turn. While not yet implemented in all airports, the technology is gradually being rolled out nationwide.
The system, first launched in late 2024, provides gate agents with real-time information about the number of passengers in each boarding group and the estimated arrival times of connecting flights. This allows agents to better manage the boarding process and ensure passengers with priority boarding receive their entitled benefits. According to an earlier statement from an American Airlines spokesperson, the technology aims to “improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress.”
The crackdown has sparked discussion online, with some Reddit users noting a significant increase in enforcement in recent months. One user claimed to have heard announcements about the upgraded scanners and stricter group enforcement as early as January.
The conversation has also spread to other social media platforms, with users largely supporting the airline’s efforts. One commenter succinctly stated: “The only people that will have a problem with this ARE THE PROBLEM.”
Even etiquette experts are weighing in. Jacqueline Whitmore, a former flight attendant, praised the new procedure, stating, “I see this as a good thing. It will help expedite the boarding process and keep people honest.”