A new airport system designed to help things run more smoothly will shame passengers trying to board too early or without their groups. The technology by American Airlines is launching in more than 100 airports and hopes to help ensure travellers board with their designated groups ahead of the busy holiday travel season – but not everyone is convinced.
While cutting in line in airports certainly hits a nerve with some – there are concerns that this new technology consitutes to shaming customers. It works by emitting an audible sound when someone tries to scan their boarding pass before their designated group.
With the new system in place, those trying to board before their designated group will hear the noise. The gate agent will then ask the passenger to rejoin the line and wait until their group is called.
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There are some exceptions though. This includes that gate agents can override the system for passengers who are travelling with a companion in an earlier boarding group.
Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, doesn’t see it as shaming though, reports AP. He said: “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos.
“And I hope it will defuse any potential flare-ups of anger [from] people who simply think they’re entitled to board out of turn… it’s just not fair.”
(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Seth Miller, editor and founder of PaxEx.aero, said he can see benefits but isn’t “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers”.
Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other airlines soon followed in America’s footsteps with the new technology.
Among the more than 100 airports using the new technology include Atlanta International Airport with the airline having plans to expand it in the coming months.
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