Allie Hubers If you’ve ever flown on a commercial airline, you’ve likely encountered the phenomenon of gate lice. This is when a cluster of anxious passengers hover around the boarding area long before their group is called.
While frequent flyers love to complain about them, the reality is that airlines have created this problem themselves. Confusing policies, baggage fees, and poor communication have conditioned passengers to scramble for a position at the gate.
Baggage fees have become a cash cow for airlines. In 2023 alone, U.S. airlines raked in $7.1 billion from checked bag fees. Many budget carriers in particular rely on these charges for a major portion of their revenue.
Many airlines raised baggage fees again in 2024, squeezing even more profit from passengers. However, for those budget-conscious travelers, carry-ons are a necessity.
Frontier Airlines faced criticism for incentivizing employees to aggressively enforce oversized carry-on rules. A Senate report revealed the airline paid $18.8 million in bonuses to gate agents for flagging oversized bags. Some airline agents were earning $10 for each carry-on fee they enforced. This is raising concerns that some may have overcharged passengers to boost their earnings.
At the core of it all, airlines’ profit-driven baggage policies are to blame for the rise of gate lice. By monetizing checked luggage and failing to guarantee overhead space, airlines have conditioned travelers to board as early as possible.
The root of the issue: Airlines’ greedy baggage policies
Social media users joke about why passengers crowd the gate early, even with assigned seats.
One of the biggest drivers of this behavior is overhead bin space, or rather, the lack of it. Airlines have reduced baggage allowances and raised fees, forcing travelers to maximize carry-on luggage usage.
Boarding late might force you to check your bag last minute, which is frustrating when you packed to avoid it.
To make matters worse, airlines are notorious for mishandling luggage, often leading to damage or loss of your suitcase. This can result in a lengthy and annoying reimbursement process, which is certainly not the ideal start to any vacation!
Who boards when? The confusing ladder of airline boarding priorities
In addition, airlines have overcomplicated the boarding process with endless categories. First class, business class, premium economy, elite status, credit card holders, military, families with small children, and so on.
Airlines prioritize top-tier credit card holders and frequent fliers, while they assign the last boarding groups to basic economy passengers who booked the cheapest fares. This fragmented system fuels a sense of urgency, making passengers feel like they need to get to the front as soon as possible.
Gate agents almost always announce a request for volunteers to check their bags for free once you arrive at the gate. This is often followed by the threat that passengers in the last zones will likely be forced to check their carry-ons due to limited space, which only exacerbates the gate lice issue and increases anxiety among travelers.
Finally, the sheer number of passengers bringing carry-ons aboard also slows down the entire boarding process. Passengers scramble for bin space, moving up and down the aisle to find an empty spot, instead of simply taking their seats. This creates bottlenecks, delays, and frustration for both travelers and airline staff.
Airlines invest millions to combat gate lice
Recognizing the issues caused by gate lice, some airlines have invested heavily in technological solutions to streamline the boarding process.
American Airlines spent millions developing software that prevents passengers from boarding before their designated group. This system alerts gate agents when a passenger attempts to board prematurely, allowing them to enforce boarding protocols more effectively.
In late 2024, American Airlines expanded this technology to over 100 U.S. airports after successful trials at select locations. The system produces an audible alert when someone tries to board early, aiming to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother boarding experience for all passengers.
While these technological interventions may deter some from crowding the gate, they don’t address the underlying reasons passengers feel compelled to board prematurely. Issues such as limited overhead bin space, baggage fees, and the fear of lost luggage continue to drive passengers to seek any advantage they can, including hovering near the gate before their group is called.
Southwest’s new bag fees will make this problem worse
For years, Southwest Airlines was one of the last major carriers to allow passengers to check two bags for free, reducing the need for aggressive carry-on hoarding.
However, sluggish financial performance has forced Southwest to start charging for checked bags—yet another move that will push passengers to pack light and fight for limited bin space.
With checked baggage fees rising across the industry, it’s no wonder that people crowd the gate, jockeying for a position that ensures they can stow their bag before space runs out. Passengers don’t want to risk their meticulously packed carry-on being taken away and checked at the last minute.
Mistrust of airlines adds to the gate lice problem
The fear of not having overhead space is just one factor, another is the deep mistrust passengers have in airlines’ ability to properly handle checked luggage.
Horror stories about lost, delayed, or damaged luggage are everywhere. Even when bags do eventually arrive, they may show up hours, or even days, after the passenger does. With tight connections and international flights, travelers don’t want to take that risk.
For many, keeping a bag in the cabin is about more than just convenience; it’s about control. They want to know exactly where their belongings are and avoid the possibility of their luggage ending up in the wrong city. This uncertainty makes passengers even more determined to board early, fueling the gate lice phenomenon.
If airlines really want to eliminate gate lice, they need to reevaluate their current business model. The greedy policies are only contributing to the growing problem of gate lice.
For example, the airline could consider reinstating reasonable checked bag policies so passengers don’t feel forced to travel with their carry-on. Improved luggage handling and live-tracking could ease the anxiety of lost luggage. Airlines could also consider assigning overhead bin space based on seating assignments.
Bottom line: Airlines need to fix the problem they’ve created
Passengers get blamed for being impatient and pushy, but airlines have spent years creating a system that rewards early boarders and punishes those who wait.
Baggage fees are also quite profitable for the airlines. Increased baggage fees for checked luggage and mishandling of luggage only contribute further to the problem.
Ultimately, airlines have conditioned passengers to fight for space, making gate lice a symptom of policies designed to maximize profits at the expense of traveler convenience.
Until airlines address these root causes, such as guaranteeing overhead bin space or reducing baggage fees, the problem will persist.
