Anyone who has taken a flight knows the mayhem that ensues the second the plane gets to the gate as passengers crowd into the aisle in a bid to exit the aircraft first.
These pesky people are now being referred to as “aisle lice,” and unless you have a connecting flight departing in the coming minutes, it’s rude to rush ahead of those sat in front of you.
However, in a bid to avoid confrontation, those angered by the aisle lice should practice patience and politeness, travel experts told HuffPost.
“Stand by and let pass, or kill ’em with kindness,” Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the flight alert service Going, told the outlet.
She advised politely asking the person if they have a connection or an emergency that requires them to get off the plane as soon as possible. If they don’t, explain to them that there is an etiquette to deplaning so everyone can get off as efficiently as possible.
“If the other person isn’t willing to oblige, well, you tried to do your part.”
Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, shared with HuffPost that there are some instances when standing in the aisle can be acceptable — but most of the time it isn’t polite behavior.
“If there is room, I am all for some of the passengers standing up in the aisle because this allows those still seated in the row a bit more elbow room and the ability to actually look around their seats to gather all of their belongings. It also allows for the overheads to be opened, making for easier unloading,” Smith said.
“What is not OK is pushing those standing in the aisle. Not every aisle seat will be able to stand, and if the passenger across the aisle from you has already stood, you will need to wait.”
The best way to avoid aisle lice, she said, is to book a window seat and stay seated until a majority of people are out of the way. Passengers who need extra time or assistance to deplane should wait until passengers are disembarked, as airlines usually request.
“Honestly, what is more of a nuisance, especially in airplane travel, are those passengers who stand lollygagging in the aisle, turning this way and that, surprised that it is their turn, while blocking others from disembarking,” Smith said.
Smith also advised not judging too quickly and to first assume that the passengers standing don’t mean to be in others’ way.
“Not everyone is able to sit still for hours on end,” she explained. “For others, it may be medically necessary for them to walk and stretch during the journey.”
Another valid reason could be if the passenger had a long delay and their connection time is now shorter, meaning just a few seconds could make or break the person making their next flight.
“But other passengers are just done being seated and want to stand to stretch their legs,” Smith said. “And yes, there are a subset of passengers that are just plain pushy.”
In some places, aisle lice has become a bigger issue. Turkish Aviation Authorities implemented a fine for fine passengers who stand up early and crowd aircraft aisles while waiting to deplane, with penalties reaching nearly $70.
“Aisle lice” is related to the concept of “gate lice,” the people who crowd the gate area during boarding, even before their boarding group is called.
