Compared to a bunch of you reading this, I’m still a relative newbie when it comes to travel. It’s really my husband who does the credit card churning, hotel planning, flight figuring outing 😉 I’m perfectly capable of it – I mean, I’m an adult with a good head on my shoulders – but getting the most points, the best deal, etc., isn’t really my interest or hobby like it is for him.
So that’s why, when I learn something that’s new to me, I share it with all y’all because I figure if some of you already knew it, not all of you did. That’s where my posts about “ghost bagging,” “rawdogging,””taking a pink eye,” and “flying naked” came from.
Welp, I learned a new one not long ago.
Aisle lice.
What is aisle lice?
You have probably seen it on every flight you’ve been on, at least in the U.S. (outside the U.S., not so much).
Your plane lands, it taxis, it gets to the gate, the captain turns off the fasten seatbelt sign…and half the plane suddenly stands up in the aisle, grabbing their bags from the overhead in the process.
PIC
It’s just like gate lice, but in the aisle.
Because of course it is.
Why do people do it?
Several reasons.
- They have a connection to catch or some other emergency (good luck with that, unless you’re this guy)
- They’ve been sitting for however long and want to stretch their legs (you know you’re allowed to stand up and walk around for most of the flight, right?)
- They have the patience of a toddler.
- One person does it, so others follow. Monkey see, monkey do.
“Aisle lice behavior is often driven by a mix of impatience, anxiety and a desire to be among the first off the plane ― whether to catch a tight connection, beat the crowd to baggage claim or simply stretch after a long flight,” says Lauren Gumport, VP of communications at a US-based travel insurance company. “In some cases, it’s habit or social mimicry. People see others standing and assume they should, too.”
So yeah, “Aisle lice.” Learn something new every day, right?
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
1 comment
I always sit on the aisle and I always get up fairly quickly and stand in the aisle. I stay right there until everyone in front of me and in my row has gotten up and gotten their bags without people shoving them.
Once everyone in front of me is moving I go, too. I feel like it’s a public service!