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It’s such a scourge that it even has a nickname that suggests an actual scourge: “Gate Lice.” You know what I mean. You might even have partaken (Or partook. Or partaked. Pick your fav) in it. People hanging around the gate, waiting for their group to be called. People from the U.S. do it a lot. Don’t get me wrong; people from other countries do it, too. But we Americans seem to have have crowding the boarding gate down to a chaotic science. It wouldn’t matter quite so much, except that you’re talking about several dozen people hovering around the stanchions that lead to the jet bridge. That means every person in the current boarding group who’s trying to get to those stanchions has to maneuver themselves, and whatever they’re carrying around, all these dozens of people who still haven’t been called. It really doesn’t make sense. You’ve got people who might actually be in THE LAST boarding group (here’s the master list of the various US airlines’ boarding groups) but there they are, standing 2 feet from those stanchions, even before the first boarding group is called. That way when it’s their turn, THEY’RE READY, dammit! (sorry for the adult language…this meme is just…*chef’s kiss*)

PC: Frequently Flying c/o BoardingArea
Used with permission

So why DO people stand there, crowding the gate? There are a few reasons, and they can be broken down into 2 categories: the practical reasons, and the psychological reasons.

Practical Reasons

Practical reasons are all about thinking things through and making sound decisions because of it.

Overhead Space

Theoretically speaking, there SHOULD be enough overhead space for everyone. Well, until you get the people who have what I like to call the dumbest “carry on” luggage on earth. Or who put their winter coats up there. And their personal bags that should go under the seat in front of them. And the bag o’ stuff they just bought at the new airport Toys R Us. And the selfish mofos sitting in row 42 who put their bags over row 3. And, of course, people bringing more than they should because they’ll have to pay for it if they check it and maybe the gate agent or flight attendant won’t say anything.

People know their fellow travelers will be some of the above and more. So the sooner they can get onto the plane, even if it’s just among the first in their group, the better their chances of securing an overhead spot…so they can stuff their winter coats up there. Grrr….

You need more time

Maybe you’re traveling with kids who need to get settled, or an adult who does things slower than most. Heck, maybe YOU don’t move as quickly as you used to. You know you’re going to need every moment you can get to ensure your party is settled in their seats before the plane’s door is closed and you have to prepare for takeoff. So you try to get onto the plane as soon as you’re allowed, to give you and yours those precious extra seconds that may make all the difference in the world.

Psychological Reasons

Sometimes the reason or reasons people become gate lice are less thought out, and come from more basic, subconscious parts of the brain.

Impatience/anxiety

I would going to call these “impatient kids” but to be honest, sometimes it’s impatient or anxious adults, too.

You’re already getting to the airport mondo early (here’s a guide for how early YOU should arrive at the airport nowadays) and had to deal with TSA. Now you’ve been sitting in that chair by the gate for a half hour or longer (much longer if your flight’s been delayed). Getting up and waiting at the stanchions makes it feel like you’re doing something, anything, that gets you closer to finally sitting on that plane and going…even though you’re still just waiting.

FOMO

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is the feeling of apprehension that one is either not in the know about or missing out on information, events, experiences, or life decisions that could make one’s life better (thanks, Wikipedia!).

Of course, everyone who gets on that plane is going to have roughly the same experience as everyone else. But some people may have some deep, dark fear that if they don’t get on the plane “first” (or as “first” as they can be), they’re going to somehow miss out on something. So the moment they see someone edging towards the stanchions, even though the logical part of their brain tells them there’s no difference between standing closer to the gate now or waiting until their group is called, the fear of missing out takes over and there they are, adding to the gate lice scourge.

Herd/Pack mentality

Herd mentality describes how people can be influenced by the majority. You see a bunch of people hanging out by the gate, so you do it, too. In fact, way back in 2008, scientists discovered that the actions of as little as five people can influence a crowd of 100 to follow their lead. According to their study, this subconscious behavior is found across species – not just humans!

Life is a competition. First = best

In Japan, citizens are taught to do things that are for the best of all. In Germany, they’re taught to follow the rules. Americans? We’re trained to be competitive and to “win.” Being first is #1. It’s the best. It’s a very “alpha” thing; if someone else is ahead of us, it somehow diminishes our position…so we do what we can to be among the first, if not THE first. Even for inconsequential stuff like getting onto a plane, where, in the end, it doesn’t matter much.

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