Thanksgiving travelers could be hit by a perfect storm of chaos as airlines issue advisories about ‘gate lice’ and winter weather – while ticket prices soar.
Forecasters have warned a flurry of winter storms across the US from New York to California could complicate travel leading up to the holiday period.
Heavy snow and wind gusts of up to 55mph could cause flight delays and cancelations for routes through the Sierra Nevada, forecasters have warned.
The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will also see rain and snow Monday and the East Coast will be the most impacted on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and strong winds, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks.
More than 10,500 flights were delayed across the US and more than 500 canceled as of midday on Sunday, according to FlightAware.
Passengers who are yet to book their tickets could also face eye-watering prices for last-minute flights.
Travel deal site Hopper said prices were set to spike by 5 to 10 percent each day, or by as much as $30 per day, in the last two weeks before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving travelers could be hit by a perfect storm of chaos as airlines issue advisories about ‘gate lice’ and winter weather – while ticket prices soar
American Airlines recently implemented new measures aimed at preventing ‘gate lice’ – people who jump the line for boarding before their group is called – at more than 100 airports
Meanwhile ‘Gate lice’ – people who jump the line for boarding before their group is called – has been a growing issue to the point that American Airlines recently implemented new measures aimed at preventing it across more than 100 airports.
The airline announced the system is now being used across the country after they had successful early testing across three locations in October.
The airline’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery said in a statement that the initial response from customers and employees ‘has exceeded expectations.’
She added that the airline was ‘thrilled’ to have the technology up and running before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt noted that almost every flyer has witnessed the frustrating habit of impatient flyers.
He added that he doesn’t see the airlines technology roll out as a way to ‘shame’ those jumping ahead, but instead a way to ‘bring order out of chaos’.
‘I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger [from] people who simply think they’re entitled to board out of turn. It’s just not fair,’ he said, adding that he believes it will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents.
However, others remained skeptical such as Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero, who said that he isn’t ‘100 percent convinced this is perfect for passengers’ yet.
Forecasters have warned a flurry of winter storms across the US from New York to California could complicate travel leading up to the holiday period
An airline industry analyst, Henry Harteveldt, added that he doesn’t see the airlines technology roll out as a way to ‘shame’ those jumping ahead, but instead a way to ‘bring order out of chaos’
Passengers who are yet to book their tickets could also face eye-watering prices for last-minute flights. Travel deal site Hopper said prices were set to spike by around $30 per day
He believes that the new technology would cause hold ups for those traveling in pairs or groups, or lines are only one difficult customer away from arguments and delays.
Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other carriers soon follow American Airline’s lead.
The new tech was rolled out for testing in October and is designed to play a sound to gate agents if a boarding pass is scanned before the passenger’s boarding group is called.
A spokesperson told Travel + Leisure: ‘The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team.’
