American Airlines expands its crackdown on line cutters

American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology that stops passengers from cutting in line during boarding to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving. The airline has given the technology a test-run at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport over the last month to fine-tune the process before a wider rollout. Passengers who board before their assigned group will trigger technology that makes a sound to alert the gate agent. “In these instances, the American team member will invite the customer to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called,” the airline said in a release. Use of the technology could help cut down on the crowds of people who hover near gates, creating confusion and congestion and at times blocking concourse thoroughfares. The crowds have been referred to by some frequent flyers as “gate lice” — an unflattering term that has its own Wikipedia page.<br/>