Airport gate agent offers stern warning to rude queue jumpers – and fellow passengers are thrilled: ‘Best thing I’ve heard’

This is one way to treat a gate lice infestation.

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in people rushing to the boarding area before their turn.

However, one enterprising Delta gate agent has devised an unorthodox way to discourage gate bouncers — by threatening to search their bags at the door, as detailed in a viral Reddit thread.

“This is the best thing I’ve heard in a while,” wrote Reddit user FAPietroKoch. “[The] The gate agent stated that if he caught anyone trying to board before their zone was called, he would automatically confiscate and search their carry-on bags.

They added, “Anyone with more than 1 large piece of luggage may also be subject to confiscation.”

Reddit commenters were on board with the idea, while others shared their own methods of preventing people from jumping into the air—line.

“Thanks for the gate agent,” praised one. “What they also need to do is stamp their boarding pass and have them board after zone 8. The gate lice are getting out of hand.”

Another wrote, “They should also have a big beep when their code scans so everyone knows it’s a person trying to skip.”

“They should make the line cutters stand next to the gate agent so everyone can silently judge them as they board,” suggested a third.

“Also pull the bags that people put in the front in the overhead compartment instead of taking them to their back seats. I’m sorry I can’t put my bag next to my seat and I have to walk a few rows back,” stated an armchair passenger.

American Airlines has specifically adopted an audible measure to discourage gate lice, defined as flyers who crowd the boarding area before their assigned group is called so they can secure overhead storage space.

The system beeps when a passenger tries to board the plane before their group number is called – and automatically rejects the ticket.

Initially tested at a few select airports, the gate lice prevention technology has since been rolled out to 100 flight hubs across the country.