The chaos inside the plane when the doors open now has a very specific scientific name, increasingly popular in the international aeronautical jargon: “Lice of the corridor”, a term coined to describe the most harassing passengers, those who get up prematurely and get rid of the corridors of the aircraft before the official landing, in short, the nightmare of the flight staff. It is a lexical evolution of the already well -known concept of “gate high school” or “lice of the gate”, those individuals who assemble themselves in front of the boarding gates even before their group is called.
The reasons behind the behavior
The phenomenon presents characteristics that go far beyond simple rudeness, with different motivations ascribable to the varied universe of human behavior as the foundation of this attitude: the inexperience of some travelers who do not fully understand the airport procedures, the anxiety linked to travel, the fear of losing space in the upper compartments for hand luggage, and above all the fear of not being able to take a coincidence in restricted times.
The psychology of the flock effect
Social psychology explains this behavior through the principle of conformism: when a person gets up, he provides others for information on how they should behave, triggering a chain reaction that brings more and more passengers to follow the example. Thus a vicious circle is created where the perception of competition becomes reality, even when not necessary.
Concrete consequences and safety risks
The phenomenon is certainly not very pleasant, an index of rudeness, arrogance and incivility, but at first analysis it could appear as completely harmless, linked only to logics of good civil coexistence. In reality, this is not the case, because in addition to being annoying it is a dangerous behavior, where the practical consequences are far from negligible: the corridors are congested, the landing times stretch paradoxically, and above all dangerous situations for passengers with reduced mobility or for families with small children who are entitled to precedence. The flight staff is also forced to manage tension situations that could be easily avoided.
Turkey is serious: fines arrive
The situation has become so critical that some countries have decided to intervene with drastic measures, such as in the case of Turkey, which through the Civil Aviation Directorate (DGCA), has introduced pecuniary penalties for passengers who rise before the plane is completely stopped and the signal of the seat belts is off, with fines that can go up to 2,600 turkish lire, about 60 euros.
The new Turkish rules provide that a specific announcement be read in each flight: “It is strictly forbidden to get up, open the compartments or occupy the corridor before the plane has reached the parking site and the signal has been off”. The measure represents an absolute novelty in the panorama of world civil aviation and could act as a forerunner for other countries.
Technology and innovation in the fight against lice
The introduction of pecuniary sanctions is not the only strategy adopted by the airlines. American Airlines implemented an innovative technological system that emits a sound signal when a passenger tries to embark before his turn, already extended to over 100 US airports. The system identifies transgressors and allows land staff to have better visibility on passenger flows.
The role of luggage policies
The question of the corridor lice is closely connected to the policies of the airlines on luggage, which certainly have responsibilities on the matter. The introduction of rates for the hold luggage has encouraged passengers to travel with hand luggage, the case that inevitably increases the competition for space in the upper compartments. A vicious circle that feeds the anxiety of travelers and, consequently, incorrect behavior.
How to manage lice: the guidance of the courteous traveler
Whether you are simple passengers with a placid nature, or on board staff to the limit of exhaustion, we have good news for you: there are strategies to get out alive, precautions to better manage the situation
The first precept is easier to say than to do: maintain calm and courtesy, avoiding any type of direct clash with the “louse” on duty. You can kindly ask the person if he has an urgent coincidence, or an emergency that justifies the haste. Otherwise, trying to politely explain the existence of a label for landing capable of guaranteeing efficiency for everyone would be the way to go, even if you probably end up creating a casus beautiful, so perhaps better to avoid.
To completely circumvent the problem, the most effective strategy involves booking a place near the window, so that it is possible to remain sitting until most passengers have moved away. A choice that might seem counterintuitive, but which instead often turns out to be faster than the struggle for the first places in line.
Not all lice are the same
It is important to recognize that not all apparently incorrect behaviors are intentional, keep it well in mind. Some people may have medical needs that require to move and stretch during the flight, while others may find themselves in real emergency situations. The best approach is always to assume good faith, however maintaining compliance with the safety rules.
The future of air travel: towards a new civilization
The future of the management of the corridor lice seems oriented towards more stringent technological and regulatory solutions. Some airports are experimenting with gate layouts that naturally discourage assembrans, while airlines are investing in aircraft with more spacious higher compartments to reduce competition for space.
The most important lesson to be drawn from this phenomenon is that mutual respect and patience can transform a potentially stressful experience into a moment of shared civilization. After all, a few minutes of waiting more will hardly change the course of the day, while courteous behavior can improve the travel experience for all passengers on board.
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