Gate lice on American Airlines 2024

Flying in general may have enough stress, but boarding is one of the most hectic times that passengers face. American Airlines, like any other airline, has a set procedure for boarding that sometimes leaves its passengers scratching their head. Here are the some most frequently asked questions regarding American Airlines: 

What is gate lice?

This applies to a high-fare paying passenger and an infrequent customer. Most of the terms and procedures are understandable; therefore, your experience will be smoother.

Gate Lice on American Airlines is defined as:

"Gate lice" is a rather derogatory, affectionate term for passengers who conglomerate in the gate area even before it might be called for their party to board. Of course most passengers are anxious to board and want to be ready, but such a congregation creates congestion that makes it burdensome for airline workers and passengers to move around the gate area.

These passengers hang out near the gate well before their group starts to board, hoping to get some overhead bin space or simply be one of the first on board. As usual, prepare, but waiting until your group is called maintains an orderly boarding process.

Do You Allowed Gate Checking with American Airlines? 

Yes, American Airlines gate checks the baggage. Gate checking is usually offered when there are not enough overhead bin spaces. Gate checking usually applies to passengers with oversized items like strollers or car seats. This can be convenient if you travel with big or heavy pieces of luggage.

This is how it works:

Boarding: If you are boarding and there are already no more overhead bin spaces available, the flight attendants may ask you if you would like to have your bag gate checked.

Drop Off at the Jetbridge: You will then drop the bag by the jetbridge just as you board the plane.

Collect at Arrival: Your bag will be out there when you arrive at your destination waiting for you at the baggage claim, or sometimes even outside the aircraft at the arrival airport.

Keep in mind this is a different service than checking your luggage at the ticket counter before security.

Why Am I Always Group 9 on American Airlines?

If you very frequently board into Group 9, chances are it's because of the kind of ticket you booked. Group 9 typically is the group for passengers who booked the cheapest fare on offer: Basic Economy, which is American Airlines' least expensive ticket option.

Basic Economy tickets have some restrictions, some of which include:

Last in line to board Group 9

Can't board their carry-on bags (or they can't place them in overhead bins) and could get gate-checked

No pre-seating (seats are allocated at check-in)

The bright side is that if you are flying upgraded or are an American AAdvantage elite member, you'll be placed in a boarding group that boards sooner.

How Does American Airlines Boarding Work?

American Airlines structures its boarding into nine groups, though there may be slight differences on specific flights. Their boarding groups are intended to board customers in an organized and disciplined manner based on criteria such as fare class and loyalty status.

Here’s a breakdown of how American Airlines boarding groups work:

 

Boarding Group	Who Boards
Pre-Boarding	Passengers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, active military personnel, and families with children under 2
Group 1	First-class passengers and AAdvantage Executive Platinum members
Group 2	Business class passengers and AAdvantage Platinum Pro members
Group 3	Advantage Platinum members and Oneworld Sapphire
Group 4	Advantage Gold members and Oneworld Ruby, Main Cabin Extra
Group 5	Main Cabin Extra passengers and eligible credit cardholders
Group 6	Main Cabin passengers without elite status
Group 7	Main Cabin passengers (usually towards the back of the plane)
Group 8	Basic Economy passengers without overhead carry-on bags
Group 9	Basic Economy passengers with overhead carry-on bags

The exact boarding group you’re assigned depends on your ticket type and loyalty status. Passengers in groups 7-9 are usually those flying in economy or basic economy.

FAQs

Q: What if there is no overhead bin space at my gate?
A: Not to worry if it's all taken. You may gate-check your carryon. Gate checked bags are usually collected at the baggage claim after the flight.

Q: How do I avoid Group 9 boarding?
A: Just steer clear of Group 9 and upgrade to a Main Cabin or Main Cabin Extra fare instead of flying Basic Economy, or hold an eligible American Airlines credit card or reached elite status with the airline, which will get you on the plane sooner, too.

Q: What is the benefit of having a higher boarding group?
A: Groups of larger boarding classes get to board first because of overhead bin space and the ability to board before people in other groups. Even First and Business Class gets to board first and is much smoother more comfortable, so patients can cross their fingers about that too.

Q: Can I change my boarding group after booking the flight?
A: You can upgrade either by buying a higher fare, ticket upgrading or by gaining an eligible credit card with early boarding privilege.

Conclusion:

While learning what "gate lice" are and how boarding groups work can enlighten you to the entire process of your American Airlines boarding, how critical that knowledge will be depends entirely upon whether you are traveling during busy periods and where you stand in the boarding queue and whether or not you can gate-check items.
All these can be factored in the next time you are flying with American Airlines, which makes the boarding process much easier and smoother.