Aisle Lice: Those Pesky Flyers Who Jump Up After Plane Lands

There’s a new term called “aisle lice” that describes those folks who jump up after the plane lands and rush down the aisle in an attempt to get off the plane a little quicker. I hope the moniker sticks.

Aisle Lice Or Gate Lice – Who Is Worse?

I’ve talked about these sorts of people before (I find them annoying but harmless unless they push and shove), but it makes me chuckle to see a new term has been coined to describe them.

I first noticed the term on reddit, though I’m not sure that the word originated there. As one user described it:

“Gate lice do not bother me since most people want to get on first for the bin space. I blame the airlines for that. If you don’t have a tight connection or any other ’emergency’ then wait your turn to get off the plane.

“Aisle lice are exponentially worse in my opinion. Who really cares who gets on the plane first, you’re all getting on anyways. Aisle lice slow things down, delay people and cause so much more headaches.”

Do you agree with that assessment? I do. I think it is spot on. Aisle lice slow everyone down while the gate lice are generally not slowing people down, just lining up early (typically because they are obsessed over securing overhead bin space or wanting to show off their frequent flyer status, which means they get to board early in the process anyway).

Aisle lice who just stand up and truly run before anyone else gets off are not harming anyone. But remember that guy who pushed past another without even clearly saying, “Excuse me?” He also tried to wedge past a woman, mumbling “excuse me” only after he had invaded her personal space. This strikes me as the more common culprit.

> Read More: Jumping Up And Running Down Aircraft Aisle To Be First Off Is Rude

Bottom line: if the new terms reduces the amount of aisle lice, I’m all for it. As always, treat others the way you wish to be treated.