Thanksgiving travelers could be hit with a perfect storm of chaos as airlines issue advisories about gate lice and winter weather while ticket prices skyrocket.
Forecasters have warned that a wave of winter storms across the US, from New York to California, could complicate travel ahead of the holiday season.
Heavy snow and wind gusts of up to 90 km/h could cause flight delays and cancellations across the Sierra Nevada, forecasters warn.
The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will also see rain and snow on Monday, and the East Coast will be hardest hit over Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and high winds, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks.
According to FlightAware, more than 10,500 flights have been delayed and more than 500 canceled in the US as of Sunday afternoon.
Passengers who have yet to book their tickets could also face eye-watering prices for last-minute flights.
Travel deals site Hopper said prices would rise 5 to 10 percent every day in the last two weeks before Thanksgiving, or as much as $30 per day.
Thanksgiving travelers could be hit with a perfect storm of chaos as airlines issue advisories about ‘gate lice’ and winter weather – while ticket prices rise
American Airlines recently implemented new measures at more than 100 airports aimed at preventing “gate lice” – people queuing to board before their group is called –
Meanwhile, ‘Gate lice’ (people queuing to board before their group is called) is a growing problem, so much so that American Airlines recently implemented new measures to prevent it at more than 100 airports.
The airline has announced that the system is now being used across the country after successful early testing at 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 “delighted” to have the technology up and running before Thanksgiving.
Aviation industry analyst Henry Harteveldt noted that almost every aviator has witnessed the frustrating habit of impatient flyers.
He added that he doesn’t see airline technology as a way to “shame” those at the forefront, but instead as a way to “bring order to chaos.”
“I hope it will defuse any flare-ups of anger (from) people who simply think they have the right to board out of turn. It’s just not fair,” he said, adding that he believes it will improve the experiences of both customers and gate agents.
Others, however, remained skeptical, such as Seth Miller, editor and founder of the website PaxEx.aero, who said he’s not yet “100 percent convinced this is perfect for passengers.”
Forecasters have warned that a wave of winter storms across the US, from New York to California, could complicate travel ahead of the holiday season
An aviation industry analyst, Henry Harteveldt, added that he doesn’t see airline technology as a way to “shame” those leading the way, but instead as a way to “bring order to chaos ‘.
Passengers who have yet to book their tickets could also face eye-watering prices for last-minute flights. Travel deal site Hopper said prices would increase by about $30 per day
He believes the new technology would cause delays for people traveling in pairs or groups, or make lines just one troublesome customer away from arguments and delays.
Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other airlines soon follow American Airlines’ lead.
The new technology was rolled out for testing in October and is designed to play a sound for gate agents if a boarding pass is scanned before the passenger’s boarding group is called.
A spokesperson said this Travel + Leisure: ‘The new technology is designed to ensure customers easily receive the benefits of priority boarding and helps improve the boarding experience by giving our team greater visibility into boarding progress.’