Passengers look at an American Airlines jet. The airline is cracking down on “gate lice” – passengers who crowd the departure gates in terminals trying to get ahead in the boarding queue.

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American Airlines is testing a system to curb airport infestations of “gate lice” – the derogatory term for passengers who crowd terminal boarding areas to board planes before their group or zone is announced .

“We’ve been pleased with the test results so far,” the airline tells NPR.

American’s initiative aims to reduce crowding and line-jumping, which have surged as people try to avoid high fees to airlines that charge both for checking baggage and for the privilege of boarding early raise.

It also shines a new spotlight on gate lice, a creature that has been discussed for years but with which few seem to identify, at least publicly. The term became popular back in 2010, shortly after airlines began charging passengers to check a suitcase.

“In general, you’ll find more ‘gate lice’ … en route to or from vacation destinations and during peak leisure travel,” Gary Leff of the aviation industry website View from the Wing tells NPR. “Sundays in Orlando, for example!”

American says it is testing the new technology at three airports: Albuquerque International Sunport; Tucson International; and Ronald Reagan Washington National.

At gates using the testing system, a warning tone will sound if a passenger scans their boarding pass before their turn. They are then asked to wait for their group to call.

Leff says that to avoid imposing new technical tasks on flight attendants at the gate, the computer system essentially rejects the invalid passport and forces the passenger to wait until the appropriate time to rescan their passport in order to board can.

Over the past decade, both the number of gate lice infestations and efforts to control them have increased.

“United Airlines actually already has a somewhat similar system in place, but Delta doesn’t (and neither does Southwest),” Leff says.

Critics say passengers trying to board out of order creates delays and frustrations that many travelers want to avoid – fears that are compounded by complicated hierarchies that can span a half-dozen or more boarding zones and groups can be.

“I do think people try to get in earlier (and earlier than they should) for reasons other than bin space,” Leff says.

What gate lice really want, he says, is to feel the sense of confidence that comes with feeling like you’ve finally reached your seat on the plane: “They did everything they could to make sure theirs The trip goes smoothly, everything is under your control.” The way to the airport, the security check and boarding the plane are all taken care of.”

American Airlines’ new push comes months after a frequent flyer posted an advisory online that was seen as a green light to combat gatekeeping of the most aggressive kind.

“Get into Group 1, regardless of your group,” said author Dickie Bush in his short guide. “99% of the time they don’t say anything. Worst case scenario, they tell you to wait, then you’ll be the first one when they call your actual group.”

Leff agrees that many gate agents don’t closely vet boarding groups, noting that they have many other responsibilities and often work alone or in smaller teams.

But Leff says it’s overkill to commit to Group 1, noting the ethical questions involved and the good chance of finding room to stow luggage if you’re a boarder in the first half.

“In general, I would rather be the last one on board rather than the first if I was sure I would have access to the dump,” he tells NPR.

“Why spend more time in an airplane seat than necessary?”