Flight attendant reveals common practice that can cause passengers to delay their flights

You've heard of head lice, but have you ever heard of 'gate lice'?

Sadly, you can't even combat this kind of parasite with a decent comb and a medicated shampoo - as these sorts of pests come in human form, rather than being one of the gross wingless insects.

And apparently, these lot are the ones to blame for travel delays.

For those who aren't aware of the term, the phrase 'gate lice' refers to overeager holidaymakers who assemble themselves in a queue at the gate way before boarding is due to begin.

Even though their designated seat on the plane is secured and the aircraft isn't going to take off without them, for some reason, a lot of travellers want to be first in line.

There's no reason to form an orderly queue so prematurely though - and airline workers have claimed that these kinds of passengers are actually shooting themselves in the foot.

'Gate lice' can actually delay your travel schedule rather than making it quicker (Getty Stock Image)

According to Urban Dictionary, gate lice are 'passengers, often inexperienced flyers in [economy] class, who crowd around or line up at a gate at an airport completely blocking the boarding area'.

It also stated that this often prevents passengers flying in first and business class from being able to get on the plane when the airline allows them to.

"They can also cause delays and confusion if a passenger in a wheelchair needs to board as the chair has to plough through the mass of gate lice hovering around the gate," the definition continued.

"When it’s time to board, they have to be shooed from the front boarding area to the back of the line, delaying the flight for everyone."

So, although they might think queuing makes the embarkment process quicker, this is seemingly not the case when there are other cabin classes who have to get on the plane first.

A former gate agent turned corporate communications manager at Delta Air Lines, Drake Castaneda, also pointed out that you may as well make the most of stretching your legs while you can.

Queueing at the gate prematurely isn't as efficient as you might think (Getty Stock Image)

He told The Washington Post: "If you’re at the airport, you’re ready to get where you’re trying to go, so you’re just antsy and anticipating the travel experience.

"For me, even as a traveller, if I know I’m going to be sitting on a plane, especially for longer flights, I like standing."

And that's coming from someone who's job it was to man the gate and has no doubt seen countless 'gate lice' in his time.

Discussing the reasons why people do this, Shira Gabriel, a psychology professor at the University of Buffalo, told the publication that it's often a case of monkey see, monkey do.

She explained: "People will do any weird thing if they think that’s the way to behave. When you see people lining up, getting ready, it makes you feel there’s a benefit for that."

However, Gabriel did say that on some occasions, passengers have no choice but to be a member of the 'gate lice' crew.

The expert pointed out that it might be the best move for travellers who are short for time between their connecting flights or those who need to get their carry-on luggage into the overhead bins.

Psychologist Dr Audrey Tang reckons that queueing up much too early may also relieve stress for some anxious passengers.

She told Metro: "Queueing for boarding as soon as we are able to can help us to feel in control, which in turn makes us feel less stressed. Maybe some people just like to be first, but it’s largely to do with keeping ourselves calm."