DLFan2

I'm not sure that is what causes the gate lice syndrome...lot's of non-"elites" are gate lice. But I agree that everyone in F should be allowed to board before anyone in Y. After F has boarded, then all Medallions and ST Elite (including FOs) sitting in Y, then general boarding.

pdac1975

I know I'm in the minority but to me their shouldn't even BE a line until boarding starts. I mean what happened to waiting until your zone is called before approaching the gate? It now seems that more and more people just line up on the carpet 30 minutes before boarding in order to look important. Even if you are in F, boarding still has not started so what's with the line? Are these folks not "gate lice"?? And yes, I do travel in F but I do NOT line up before boarding begins. I just don't see the point.

longing4piedmont

my,my my aren't "we" special.......

DLFan2

The point is to get overhead storage space before it is gone.

United747

These people think because they have top status that they are always better that the people either in economy or the people with lower status. Maybe this person thought that you were in economy. These people are definitely DYKWIA type of people. Next time you should say something about where the back of the line is. Or that you are flying first class, and then see what they do.

tgtg

Just try traveling abroad...the concept of a line or as our UK friends say "queuing" is truly a foreign concept.

I've seen old ladies from countries to the east literally shove people out of the way to board a boat, train, plane, etc.

Our view of right or wrong is purely cultural. Enjoy the experience.

-=tg=-

P.S. And yes, at times it infuriates me.

bob_the_d

i've always believed that if you're elite or business/F then yeah, you should be allowed to board first.

...when they call your group first.

if you miss your group, i say back of the line with everyone else. you missed your chance. line cutting frustrates me almost as much as gate lice. this is pretty ubiquitous with all airlines which is really, really annoying.

socrates

line cutting even happens at WN

pdac1975

So long as i board in the first 2 zones, I've NEVER had any issue finding space for my bag. Whether you board 1st or 21st, you're going to find space for your bag.

CALeeIII

I always get a window seat. I particularly love it when the line cutter is in the aisle seat next to me. And, once they are all settled, I get extra enjoyment out of telling them they have to get up while I take my time getting into my seat. This has happened several times. ^

CJKatl

As much as I dislike the WN flying experience, this is one thing they do correctly. If DL were to line people up and board bulkhead F, then rows 4, 3 and 2 windows followed by rows 4, 3 and 2 aisles, boaring would be much faster. Same with the back of the plane. As long as DL doesn't start asking their FAs to fake funny or sing over the PA, I'm on board with this suggestion.

And Amen, Brother, to the OP. While I don't let it get to me, the people who ignore the line and just push themselves into the line somewhere near the front are rude, annoying and especially horrid when they try to act like they don't realize they are butting in line. But since you did not threaten to pop them or call them some ignorant name, your past was not out of line.

DLFan2

Sure, but the gate lice who try to line up early aren't necessarily from the first two zones.

And maybe the F pax who push to the front of the line are motivated by getting some pre-flight booze early so that they can even get a second drink before departure.

Or, maybe they are just rude. Period.

Flyingfox

I don't know what "hot mess" means, but I'll assume it's American slang for "problematic"(?).

I am sometimes told by staff to "go to the front of the line" when people have crowded the gate and I have an F class seat (international), so I just do that and they beep me through.
I have no idea if there is someone I am jumping the queue on, but I realise that it could be irritating to those who are rightfully waiting to board (people in F, with status, etc.).
Sometimes you don't know when everyone crowds the area and it is clear that people are not doing the whole "queue up" action properly, but I'm not going to go to the back with 300 people ahead of me, and I'm not going to ask the first 10 people in the queue if they're supposed to be there or not, if the staff tell me to "just go to the front".
I've seen people jump in front of me doing the same thing (they're in C or F, as am I). I just wait a few minutes and I'm on board anyway.

I guess my message is not to take it personally, as some people have been told to "go to the front of the queue".

DaddyRabbit

No slamming from me. Love taking my FC seat while the gate lice or semi-lice head to the back. BTW, those folks cutting in front of you do so because of low self esteem!!! Sad, really.

Flyingfox

About 20 years ago in Tel Aviv I had a woman slowly moving closer and closer to me whilst I waited in the queue. She eventually "bumped" me and tried to pass me, and in her process of brushing against me said to me "why are you pushing me?"
I turned to her and said, "Madame, you've had your eyes set on bumping into me for the past 5 minutes, I haven't moved a muscle!".
That went over well.
When overseas, I generally "let it go".
I will say that jumping most "lines" in the US will get you into some hot water! Americans are more civil when it comes to staying in the queue properly.