Louisiana travelers heading to the skies this holiday season should brace for new boarding protocols. American Airlines is expanding its crackdown on so-called “gate lice” — passengers who crowd boarding areas or cut in line — to more than 100 airports ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

Though the phrase “gate lice” may sound alarming, it’s not about bugs. Instead, it’s travel slang for line-cutters who disrupt the boarding process. To combat this, American Airlines has introduced technology that audibly flags and denies boarding passes scanned outside a passenger’s designated group.

The initiative, tested earlier this year in select airports, is now rolling out nationwide. Louisiana hubs such as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Lafayette Regional Airport could very likely adopt the system soon.

Julie Rath, American Airlines’ senior vice president of airport operations, praised the initial success of the program. “The positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we’re thrilled to expand this ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday,” she said.

The system ensures smoother boarding for everyone and gives gate agents insights into the number of passengers in each group. Passengers traveling with companions in earlier groups can still board together after agent approval.

For Louisianans traveling this season, it’s a reminder to stick with your assigned group — or risk being flagged and shamed by the new system.

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Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff