Many passengers habitually stand up as soon as the wheels touch the runway, retrieve their luggage, and crowd the aisle. In the airline industry, this group of passengers is colloquially known as "aisle lice", referring to those who push forward hoping to be among the first to exit, even while the fasten seatbelt sign remains illuminated.
This behavior not only annoys but also directly impacts the deplaning process. Cecily Anderson, a flight attendant in the US, notes that crowding slows things down, reducing the chances of an early exit for all passengers. "We have deplaning procedures for a reason", Cecily states.
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Many passengers habitually leave their seats and crowd the aisle area immediately after the plane lands. Photo: Escape
The standard procedure begins when the seatbelt sign turns off. Passengers collect their belongings and move row by row, from front to back, orderly towards the exit. This method ensures the fastest flow of people, assisting those with tight connecting flights. When some passengers stand up early and cut into rows ahead, they disrupt this order and block the path of others.
On travel forums, many people also express frustration about this habit. One reader shared on Reddit their annoyance when someone stands too close or rushes into the aisle as the plane lands. Another traveler recounted a trip to Manchester, England, where two people next to them hastily grabbed luggage from the overhead compartment and moved to the back of the plane as soon as the aircraft reduced thrust. The witness described this action as "foolish and dangerous".
To avoid causing inconvenience, Angela McMurray, a flight attendant for an international airline, advises passengers to stand in place to stretch but limit crowding the shared aisle area. Angela also recommends passengers use this time to check their belongings, put on their shoes, and prepare to deplane.
"The worst thing you can do is wait until it's your turn to start fumbling for your things after the plane has landed", she says.
Minh (via DM)
