Q&A: How Do You Deal With ‘Gate Lice’ and ‘Check-In Chickens’ at the Airport?

Experts say this Thanksgiving will be one for the record books, with AAA predicting 80 million Americans traveling between Tuesday and Dec. 2, with 6 million of those travelers taking to the friendly – or not-so-friendly – skies.

To help navigate the changing dynamics of air travel, UVA Today turned to the University of Virginia Office of Engagement, a well-traveled department that serves the University’s alumni, families and friends. Cindy Fredrick, senior associate vice president for engagement, and Kevin Conley, senior director of alumni and parent travel, along with their team, organize more than 1,000 events and travel experiences each year. Both are veteran, savvy travelers.

Q. Why is the week of Thanksgiving such a highly traveled week of the year?

Fredrick: Thanksgiving is a super social holiday. It’s all about food, family and football, with no pressure to buy gifts. Because Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday and leads into a long weekend, long-term planning is easy. I used to join the holiday travel craze, but after one “quick” three-hour road trip turned into an eight-hour, white-knuckle ordeal in a whiteout snowstorm, I now stay home, and everyone else makes the trip.

Q. Which is better, checking a bag or carrying one on?

Fredrick: For trips under four days, I’m “Team Carry-On.” This saves time, money and the anxiety of imagining my bag lost in the bottomless pit of airport security. That said, if I take a longer trip or need to pack gifts or supplies, I’ll check a bag. Sometimes, you need that extra room to bring back a favorite local bottle of wine or special treats.

Conley: Since Sept. 11 and the increased airline security, I have never lost a bag and have only had one delayed twice, and I travel for a living. I wear decent clothes on the airplane and always have a fleece in my carry-on. If I need to wait a day for my bag, no problem. The airline almost always delivers it to wherever you are, even if it is home. A lot of people don’t know that.

Pro tip from Fredrick: Always leave room for Garrett Caramel Popcorn if you travel through Chicago O’Hare International Airport. No matter what, I always pack essentials in a carry-on: medications, a change of clothes or two and a toothbrush, just in case my checked luggage lands in Philadelphia when I land in New York.

Q. What tips do you have for managing airport crowds and avoiding the chaos of “gate lice” during the holidays?

Fredrick: First and foremost, breathe. Seriously, deep breaths work wonders when it feels like the entire world is converging at Gate C17.

As for “gate lice” – those people hovering around the boarding area before their group is called – I picture them as my junior high school peers cutting in the lunch line. Not cool then, not cool now. I just let the airline staff handle it and imagine karma catching up with them in the overhead bin space wars.

Pro tip from Fredrick: Get TSA PreCheck or Clear, download your airline’s app and check in online. Also, keep track of your boarding pass. I’ve accidentally tossed mine into the recycling bin more than once, and it is so much easier to have it on my phone.

Q. What’s behind the phenomenon of “check-in chicken,” and why do so many travelers push their luck with last-minute check-ins in the hope of getting a more desirable seat at a reduced price?

Fredrick: This one is tough for me to understand. I’m the opposite – a proud “terminal turtle.” I like to arrive early, sip a cup of overpriced airport coffee and people-watch. Meanwhile, my check-in chicken friends thrive on the adrenaline of racing through security and sliding into the gate as the doors close. If I’m traveling with one of these thrill-seekers, we either take separate rides to the airport, or I invest in a stress ball for the journey.

Q. How do seasoned travelers outsmart common holiday travel pitfalls?

Fredrick: Pre-plan like it’s an Olympic event! Book flights, hotels and cars early. Pack in advance and choose outfits that don’t look like origami swans when you unpack. Sign up for airline alerts to avoid surprises like gate changes. I learned that lesson the hard way when I missed my flight while blissfully sitting in a Zen state at the old gate.

Bring snacks, a refillable water bottle and enough entertainment to survive an extended layover in a terminal where all the vendors just closed. Most importantly, keep a positive attitude and smile.

Conley: Travel a day or two before the major travel days. If on a major travel day, drive an alternate route, perhaps one that might be traditionally longer but avoids the major crowds.

Pro tip from Fredrick: If chaos strikes, call customer service while standing in line; it is often faster. Everyone standing with you is competing for the same last seat on another flight.