When it comes to travelling, there are plenty of annoying habits that can get on the nerves of fellow travellers.
Recently, the term ‘luggage lounger’ was being banded about on social media, with holidaymakers sharing videos of the annoying behaviour.
The term describes travellers who lounge around and wait for their luggage right by the carousel, sometimes even leaning against it, causing frustration to others who are trying to retrieve their cases.
And now, another irritating habit of plane passengers has been exposed online.
While ‘aisle lice’ may bring to mind weevils burrowing into seats, this is the nickname that has been given to passengers who jump up the second the plane arrives at the gate – even, in some cases, before the seatbelt sign has turned off.
These travellers might push through to the front of the plane in the hope of disembarking first.
While this behaviour is nothing new, with many passengers innocently wanting to stretch their legs, the issue has been exacerbated by people sharing their experiences on social media.
In October, a passenger triggered chaos on a plane when she blocked the aisle and refused to move while others were trying to disembark.
Are you an ‘aisle lice’? This is the nickname that has been given to passengers who jump up the second the plane arrives at the gate
In October, a passenger triggered chaos on a plane when she blocked the aisle and refused to move while others were trying to disembark
Footage of the ordeal shows a crowd of people waiting to leave the Frontier Airlines aircraft after landing in Baltimore, Maryland, only to be blocked by a passenger.
As she refused to budge, other passengers ganged up on her and demanded she get out of the way.
According to one member of flight crew, it’s not just rude and against etiquette to block the passage – it can have real knock-on consequences for passengers who genuinely need to get off quickly.
American flight attendant Cecily Anderson told Reader’s Digest: ‘It’s not just annoying, but it also slows everything down, making them even less likely to get what they want.
‘We have rules about deplaning for a reason.’
The protocol for disembarking a flight begins by waiting for the seatbelt sign to turn off – a key safety regulation.
Then, passengers should gather all personal belongings and exit row by row from the front in an orderly fashion towards the exit.
The purpose of this is that it allows passengers with tight connections to disembark quickly.
Turkey will now enforce fines for passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts, stand up, or open overhead bins before the plane is fully stopped and parked
To combat the issue of ‘aisle lice’, Turkish authorities have introduced the new measure to try to control travellers who scramble to leave once a plane lands.
Impatient passengers who race to get off the plane could be looking at fines of £50 for their speedy exit.
The new ban will tackle people who take off a seat belt early and stand up before the plane has taxied to the terminal.
Plenty of people have complained about ‘aisle lice’ online.
One Reddit user wrote: ‘I can’t tell you how uncomfortable it is to have someone’s rear end standing beside my face while waiting to deplane. Or those who rush up the aisle as soon as the parking brake is set.’
Another added they had a similar experience a few years ago on a flight to Manchester.
They wrote: ‘Two guys decided they wanted to guarantee they’d get off first, so almost as soon as the thrust reverse started kicking in, they stood up, got their bags from the overhead lockers, and headed to the back of the plane to wait.
‘I’m not exaggerating with how stupidly and dangerously early they got out of their seats and got their bags down.’
In a rush to get off? You could be annoying fellow passengers, as well as causing a safety issue
However, others argued that they stand early to avoid missing their next flight when they have a tight connection.
There are ways to avoid being ‘aisle lice’ though – even if you want to stand up quickly or are in a rush yourself.
Angela McMurray, a flight attendant on an international carrier, told Reader’s Digest: ‘It’s fine to stand up if you need to stretch a little bit, but try and stay in your seat area.’
She also recommends you gather your belongings while you wait and check you have everything.
Angela adds: ‘The worst thing you can do is wait until it’s your turn and then start fumbling around. Also, we shouldn’t have to say this, but put your darn shoes on.’
