American Airlines is trying new technology to shame line cutters

NEW YORK – American Airlines is testing a new technology during the boarding process at three airports across the country that aims to reduce the number of passengers attempting to cross the border.

The technology, which is being tested at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport in New Mexico, Tucson International Airport in Arizona and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Virginia, alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket before arriving. their assigned group.

“The new technology is designed to ensure customers easily receive the benefits of priority boarding and helps improve the boarding experience by giving our team greater visibility into boarding progress,” American Airlines said in an emailed statement email to The Associated Press.

American Airlines said a gate agent politely informs the customer that he cannot accept the pass and asks the customer to get back in line when his boarding group is called. In some cases where a passenger may board out of order, such as when traveling with a higher status companion, the agent has a quick way to ignore the warning and accept the pass, American Airlines said in the statement .

Although the technology is only in a pilot phase, the airline says it is pleased with the results so far.

— By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Business Writers