Plane Passenger Praises Gate Agent’s ‘Threat’ for Line Cutters

A plane passenger is offering their praise after hearing a gate agent’s interesting proposal for potential line cutters. 

The traveler detailed the airport worker’s solution to dissuade sneaky passengers from trying to board before their group is called (also known as “gate lice”) in a recent Reddit post.

“This is the best thing I’ve heard in a while,” the user, who goes by FAPietroKoch on Reddit, began the post. They then got into the details of the employee’s unconventional threat to rule breakers. 

“Gate agent stated if he caught anyone trying to board before their zone was called, he was automatically confiscating and gate checking their carry-on bags,” the user wrote.  

The punishment also applied to those who tried to sneak in multiple carry-ons, as most airlines only allow one carry-on and one personal item per passengers in Economy. 

“Anyone with more than one large carry-on could also be subject to confiscation,” the user explained. 

While it’s not clear if the agent’s actions were in accordance with employee guidelines, many commenters commended the gate agent along with the Original Poster (OP), and even offered their ideas as to how the employee could have taken it a step further.

“Kudos to that gate agent. What they also need to do is mark their boarding pass and make them board after zone 8. Gate lice are getting out of control,” one person wrote. 

The OP responded to the comment, noting that the agent did in fact announce that cutters “would go to the back of the line” if they were caught.

Another user added, “Even better! They should also have a big beep made when their code scans that everyone knows it is a person trying to skip.” Another user in favor of that punishment responded, “A little public shaming isn’t a bad thing.”

Yet another user suggested, “They should make the line cutters stand next to the gate agent so everyone can side eye and silently judge them as they board.”

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Some airlines have started to implement new systems that prevent travelers from cutting the line before their boarding zone or group is called. 

In October 2024, American Airlines began testing out new technology that sends out an audible signal to alert gate agents whenever a passenger tries to jump ahead of others. 

“We are in the early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process. 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,” American Airlines said in a statement shared with PEOPLE at the time. 

While the airline first introduced the technology at Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico and Tucson International Airport in Arizona, it has since been expanded to more than 100 airports across the United States, according to their website.