The Gate Lice are coming... the GATE LICE are coming
Aug 19, 2013, 11:12 pm
#1291
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Aug 20, 2013, 10:39 am
#1292
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I think this thread may have broadened (eroded?) the definition of gate lice.
I always thought it was meant to refer to people in later zones crowding the gate area for the earlier zones. Then it seems maybe to include anyone crowding the gate area while passengers disembark from the arriving aircraft. But does it also include persons who queue up far too early but are not necessarily in anyone's way?
How do you define "gate lice?"
I always thought it was meant to refer to people in later zones crowding the gate area for the earlier zones. Then it seems maybe to include anyone crowding the gate area while passengers disembark from the arriving aircraft. But does it also include persons who queue up far too early but are not necessarily in anyone's way?
How do you define "gate lice?"
I usually try to chill in the lounge until boarding, but how often do flights board at the board time? You can't control for all the variables.
Bingo. Returning from overseas, I try to carryon b/c otherwise I clear Global Entry in 2 minutes and then my bag is #250 to come out on the belt. Blech.
O/H
Aug 20, 2013, 10:43 am
#1293
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Sep 17, 2013, 8:11 pm
#1294
Join Date: Aug 2008
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This guy could be in anyone of three threads here...
ATL yesterday...
ATL - MSY flight.. Couple of people waiting around the boarding area, not really lice, but people in near vicinity... All of a sudden an older, somewhat typical DYKWIA good ole boy DL elite comes whirling in with his two bags and food to carry on board. He flies to the very from edge of the SP carpet and immediately plays away on his phone.
Issue here is that we were still about ten minutes from boarding. Once allowed to board, he whirls his way down the jetway and then proceeds to hold up all other boarders as he rummages through his bag in the aisle for about three minutes, before getting the clue that he is the issue that is now holding up boarding. When he does decide to stow his bag, he does the amatuer move of shoving his huge roll aboard in sideways on the 2 seat side of the MD88. Most of us know that you can put that bag on the 3 seat side wheels out and make more room for others, but that is another peeve for another thread.
He plops down in his seat, I had the unfortunate joy of having to sit beside him as he scarfed down his rank smelling salad. After this, he realizes that he is missing something and goes to the aisle again to rummage for another minute in his bag..
During the flight he decides the armrest in front of him is his food rest... No I do not have pix.. I also will note that at least he kept his shoes on....
If you are going to be a gate louse and board early, at least have your crap together so you do not become nuisance to others...
ATL - MSY flight.. Couple of people waiting around the boarding area, not really lice, but people in near vicinity... All of a sudden an older, somewhat typical DYKWIA good ole boy DL elite comes whirling in with his two bags and food to carry on board. He flies to the very from edge of the SP carpet and immediately plays away on his phone.
Issue here is that we were still about ten minutes from boarding. Once allowed to board, he whirls his way down the jetway and then proceeds to hold up all other boarders as he rummages through his bag in the aisle for about three minutes, before getting the clue that he is the issue that is now holding up boarding. When he does decide to stow his bag, he does the amatuer move of shoving his huge roll aboard in sideways on the 2 seat side of the MD88. Most of us know that you can put that bag on the 3 seat side wheels out and make more room for others, but that is another peeve for another thread.
He plops down in his seat, I had the unfortunate joy of having to sit beside him as he scarfed down his rank smelling salad. After this, he realizes that he is missing something and goes to the aisle again to rummage for another minute in his bag..
During the flight he decides the armrest in front of him is his food rest... No I do not have pix.. I also will note that at least he kept his shoes on....
If you are going to be a gate louse and board early, at least have your crap together so you do not become nuisance to others...
Sep 29, 2013, 1:29 pm
#1295
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Wow, didn't think gate lice would be so bad today. 50 before flight on ER75 and CR7 already 3 deep!
Sep 30, 2013, 2:58 pm
#1296
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: USA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion
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Vicious Attack After Boarding; GA and FA Attempt Help
Last night, after completing a Business Elite Flight from Guatemala to Atlanta and then boarding a flight to my home city with Handicapped Assistance (I am also a Platinum Medallion member), and taking my seat, I was viciously attacked by another Medallion Member who was the second or third person to board the plane.
I won't reprint all of the expletives that he said to me but he attacked my religion, and my being a clergy men, and the fact that I boarded before everyone else, and he jabbed me in the arm, and was clearly very, very drunk. The Flight Attendant must have stepped away for a moment or been on the boarding bridge and was just out of ear shot. The man continued to yell at me. I said "I beg your pardon, sir..." and then when the flight attendant reappeared, he moved to his seat at the back of the CRJ. I immediately told the FA what had happened including the jab on the arm and she went into action asking me what had occurred and who it was. (By this time one or two other people had boarded). I pointed out the man and the seat he was in. She went back and, of course, he said "I didn't say a thing." I went back to the seat and confronted the man and said "You just touched me and said to me the following: ' '"
At that point another man on the flight came up to me and said that 'you can't do anything about these people sir....and escorted me back to my seat.' He promised me that if the man tried to do anything to me during the flight, he would protect me from physical harm.
Then the Gate Agent came on board and asked me if I felt 'comfortable' flying on the flight with that man on the flight. Someone from Delta had gone back to speak to the man and the GA acknowledged to me that the man was very drunk and did I want him removed from the flight?
At that point the plane was already late due to mechanical problems and I said I did not want to hold the plane and the passengers up and I said "no" as long as there were no more problems from the man.
So the plane departed shortly there after.
Upon arrival at our destination, I had assistance to the baggage area.
As soon as we arrived in the baggage area, upon exiting the elevator, the very same man approached me and the assistance agent and said "Well, well, well... you little....s--t...." and launched on another tirade of expletives and denunciations in front of a bunch of people. The assistance agent told the man to leave me alone or she would call the police. She said to me that the man wreaked of alcohol. She mentioned to the man that he needed to pick up his luggage and leave.
It was an extremely unpleasant ending to a long travel day that started at 3 AM in the morning and included a journey by boat, then a 4 hour bus ride to get to the Guatemala Airport and then the flight to Atlanta which was very nice by Delta Standards (we were served a hot steak, asparagus and a salad for lunch!), but this last segment was pretty terrifying.
I've never seen anyone with 'status' act this way before. Since he was the 2nd to board I am presuming he had some sort of status.
In hindsight, perhaps I should have had him removed from the flight, but I hate to think what would have ensued and the delay it would have caused for the rest of the passengers on board? (Police being called, his resistance to being removed, etc).
I wrote a note to Delta to praise them for the great flight from GUA-ATL and the wonderful meal and service; but I also mentioned the rather terrifying experience I had on the local connection to my home city.
I won't reprint all of the expletives that he said to me but he attacked my religion, and my being a clergy men, and the fact that I boarded before everyone else, and he jabbed me in the arm, and was clearly very, very drunk. The Flight Attendant must have stepped away for a moment or been on the boarding bridge and was just out of ear shot. The man continued to yell at me. I said "I beg your pardon, sir..." and then when the flight attendant reappeared, he moved to his seat at the back of the CRJ. I immediately told the FA what had happened including the jab on the arm and she went into action asking me what had occurred and who it was. (By this time one or two other people had boarded). I pointed out the man and the seat he was in. She went back and, of course, he said "I didn't say a thing." I went back to the seat and confronted the man and said "You just touched me and said to me the following: ' '"
At that point another man on the flight came up to me and said that 'you can't do anything about these people sir....and escorted me back to my seat.' He promised me that if the man tried to do anything to me during the flight, he would protect me from physical harm.
Then the Gate Agent came on board and asked me if I felt 'comfortable' flying on the flight with that man on the flight. Someone from Delta had gone back to speak to the man and the GA acknowledged to me that the man was very drunk and did I want him removed from the flight?
At that point the plane was already late due to mechanical problems and I said I did not want to hold the plane and the passengers up and I said "no" as long as there were no more problems from the man.
So the plane departed shortly there after.
Upon arrival at our destination, I had assistance to the baggage area.
As soon as we arrived in the baggage area, upon exiting the elevator, the very same man approached me and the assistance agent and said "Well, well, well... you little....s--t...." and launched on another tirade of expletives and denunciations in front of a bunch of people. The assistance agent told the man to leave me alone or she would call the police. She said to me that the man wreaked of alcohol. She mentioned to the man that he needed to pick up his luggage and leave.
It was an extremely unpleasant ending to a long travel day that started at 3 AM in the morning and included a journey by boat, then a 4 hour bus ride to get to the Guatemala Airport and then the flight to Atlanta which was very nice by Delta Standards (we were served a hot steak, asparagus and a salad for lunch!), but this last segment was pretty terrifying.
I've never seen anyone with 'status' act this way before. Since he was the 2nd to board I am presuming he had some sort of status.
In hindsight, perhaps I should have had him removed from the flight, but I hate to think what would have ensued and the delay it would have caused for the rest of the passengers on board? (Police being called, his resistance to being removed, etc).
I wrote a note to Delta to praise them for the great flight from GUA-ATL and the wonderful meal and service; but I also mentioned the rather terrifying experience I had on the local connection to my home city.
Sep 30, 2013, 3:46 pm
#1297
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
Last night, after completing a Business Elite Flight from Guatemala to Atlanta and then boarding a flight to my home city with Handicapped Assistance (I am also a Platinum Medallion member), and taking my seat, I was viciously attacked by another Medallion Member who was the second or third person to board the plane.
I won't reprint all of the expletives that he said to me but he attacked my religion, and my being a clergy men, and the fact that I boarded before everyone else, and he jabbed me in the arm, and was clearly very, very drunk. The Flight Attendant must have stepped away for a moment or been on the boarding bridge and was just out of ear shot. The man continued to yell at me. I said "I beg your pardon, sir..." and then when the flight attendant reappeared, he moved to his seat at the back of the CRJ. I immediately told the FA what had happened including the jab on the arm and she went into action asking me what had occurred and who it was. (By this time one or two other people had boarded). I pointed out the man and the seat he was in. She went back and, of course, he said "I didn't say a thing." I went back to the seat and confronted the man and said "You just touched me and said to me the following: ' '"
At that point another man on the flight came up to me and said that 'you can't do anything about these people sir....and escorted me back to my seat.' He promised me that if the man tried to do anything to me during the flight, he would protect me from physical harm.
Then the Gate Agent came on board and asked me if I felt 'comfortable' flying on the flight with that man on the flight. Someone from Delta had gone back to speak to the man and the GA acknowledged to me that the man was very drunk and did I want him removed from the flight?
At that point the plane was already late due to mechanical problems and I said I did not want to hold the plane and the passengers up and I said "no" as long as there were no more problems from the man.
So the plane departed shortly there after.
Upon arrival at our destination, I had assistance to the baggage area.
As soon as we arrived in the baggage area, upon exiting the elevator, the very same man approached me and the assistance agent and said "Well, well, well... you little....s--t...." and launched on another tirade of expletives and denunciations in front of a bunch of people. The assistance agent told the man to leave me alone or she would call the police. She said to me that the man wreaked of alcohol. She mentioned to the man that he needed to pick up his luggage and leave.
It was an extremely unpleasant ending to a long travel day that started at 3 AM in the morning and included a journey by boat, then a 4 hour bus ride to get to the Guatemala Airport and then the flight to Atlanta which was very nice by Delta Standards (we were served a hot steak, asparagus and a salad for lunch!), but this last segment was pretty terrifying.
I've never seen anyone with 'status' act this way before. Since he was the 2nd to board I am presuming he had some sort of status.
In hindsight, perhaps I should have had him removed from the flight, but I hate to think what would have ensued and the delay it would have caused for the rest of the passengers on board? (Police being called, his resistance to being removed, etc).
I wrote a note to Delta to praise them for the great flight from GUA-ATL and the wonderful meal and service; but I also mentioned the rather terrifying experience I had on the local connection to my home city.
I won't reprint all of the expletives that he said to me but he attacked my religion, and my being a clergy men, and the fact that I boarded before everyone else, and he jabbed me in the arm, and was clearly very, very drunk. The Flight Attendant must have stepped away for a moment or been on the boarding bridge and was just out of ear shot. The man continued to yell at me. I said "I beg your pardon, sir..." and then when the flight attendant reappeared, he moved to his seat at the back of the CRJ. I immediately told the FA what had happened including the jab on the arm and she went into action asking me what had occurred and who it was. (By this time one or two other people had boarded). I pointed out the man and the seat he was in. She went back and, of course, he said "I didn't say a thing." I went back to the seat and confronted the man and said "You just touched me and said to me the following: ' '"
At that point another man on the flight came up to me and said that 'you can't do anything about these people sir....and escorted me back to my seat.' He promised me that if the man tried to do anything to me during the flight, he would protect me from physical harm.
Then the Gate Agent came on board and asked me if I felt 'comfortable' flying on the flight with that man on the flight. Someone from Delta had gone back to speak to the man and the GA acknowledged to me that the man was very drunk and did I want him removed from the flight?
At that point the plane was already late due to mechanical problems and I said I did not want to hold the plane and the passengers up and I said "no" as long as there were no more problems from the man.
So the plane departed shortly there after.
Upon arrival at our destination, I had assistance to the baggage area.
As soon as we arrived in the baggage area, upon exiting the elevator, the very same man approached me and the assistance agent and said "Well, well, well... you little....s--t...." and launched on another tirade of expletives and denunciations in front of a bunch of people. The assistance agent told the man to leave me alone or she would call the police. She said to me that the man wreaked of alcohol. She mentioned to the man that he needed to pick up his luggage and leave.
It was an extremely unpleasant ending to a long travel day that started at 3 AM in the morning and included a journey by boat, then a 4 hour bus ride to get to the Guatemala Airport and then the flight to Atlanta which was very nice by Delta Standards (we were served a hot steak, asparagus and a salad for lunch!), but this last segment was pretty terrifying.
I've never seen anyone with 'status' act this way before. Since he was the 2nd to board I am presuming he had some sort of status.
In hindsight, perhaps I should have had him removed from the flight, but I hate to think what would have ensued and the delay it would have caused for the rest of the passengers on board? (Police being called, his resistance to being removed, etc).
I wrote a note to Delta to praise them for the great flight from GUA-ATL and the wonderful meal and service; but I also mentioned the rather terrifying experience I had on the local connection to my home city.
Sep 30, 2013, 6:52 pm
#1298
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Sep 30, 2013, 9:21 pm
#1299
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I wouldn't. (Too) many gate agents don't enforce the boarding priorities, and since he was drunk and belligerent he is likely to have boarded before he was supposed to be allowed to.
Oct 4, 2013, 4:30 pm
#1300
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: USA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion
Posts: 94
Reply from Delta
However, it was nice of them to acknowledge the incident and for the words of encouragement.
I just hope I don't run into the same guy again. Given there are 6 flights a day from my city to ATL and back the odds are small but if I do, I'll be sure to give a heads up to the GA if he tries it again.
Oct 6, 2013, 3:58 pm
#1301
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: ATL - DL DM/3MM - HH Lifetime Diamond - Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 3,117
This afternoon - ATL-DTW.
I walk up to the gate just as I hear Preboard announcement.
There is NOBODY with 30' of the scanner, everyone is sitting and it's a sold out flight. I walk up to the GA and ask where are all the gate lice? She laughs and says she's never seen anything like this before. She announces FC boarding and people finally start to stand up to board.
It was really weird!
I walk up to the gate just as I hear Preboard announcement.
There is NOBODY with 30' of the scanner, everyone is sitting and it's a sold out flight. I walk up to the GA and ask where are all the gate lice? She laughs and says she's never seen anything like this before. She announces FC boarding and people finally start to stand up to board.
It was really weird!
Oct 6, 2013, 4:30 pm
#1302
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
This afternoon - ATL-DTW.
I walk up to the gate just as I hear Preboard announcement.
There is NOBODY with 30' of the scanner, everyone is sitting and it's a sold out flight. I walk up to the GA and ask where are all the gate lice? She laughs and says she's never seen anything like this before. She announces FC boarding and people finally start to stand up to board.
It was really weird!
I walk up to the gate just as I hear Preboard announcement.
There is NOBODY with 30' of the scanner, everyone is sitting and it's a sold out flight. I walk up to the GA and ask where are all the gate lice? She laughs and says she's never seen anything like this before. She announces FC boarding and people finally start to stand up to board.
It was really weird!
On a weekend evening flight out of SEA to JFK a line formed on the priority carpet. And this was on a biz elite equipped plane, so no storage issues at all in first class.
Some people are just too punished I guess.
Oct 6, 2013, 5:55 pm
#1303
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,079
Very strictly managed boarding by the GA at SFO today. Intelligible announcements, no crowding the gate. Nice.
Oct 6, 2013, 7:58 pm
#1304
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Oct 7, 2013, 1:15 am
#1305
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
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