A NEW system could soon stop those annoying passengers who try to board the plane too early.

American Airlines is rolling out the new technology at a number of airports.

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Back in 2018, a study by London Stansted Airport and YouGov revealed the top 10 most annoying passenger habits at the airport.

Queue jumpers came out on top.

American Airlines’ new system will see a loud sound played for passengers who scan their boarding pass at the gate if they are boarding in the wrong group.

They will then be told by staff to wait for their group to be called.

Currently in place at Albuquerque International Sunport airport and Tucson International Airport, the airline will test it at others including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

A spokesperson told Travel and Leisure: “We are in the early phase of testing new technology used during the boarding process.

“The new technology is designed to ensure customers receive the benefits of priority boarding with ease and helps improve the boarding experience by providing greater visibility into boarding progress for our team.”

And there is a reason airlines board from front to back too, and it’s to encourage passengers to buy more expensive tickets.

First boarding usually include those in first class and business class, as well as frequent flyers.

Despite this leading to huge queues in the aisle for economy passengers, experts have said the priority boarding can entice travellers to book tickets in a better class.

In theory, the best way to board a plane would be all of the window seats, followed by middle seat and aisle.

United Airlines currently uses the WILMA system, which stands for “window-middle-aisle”.

Otherwise there is also a boarding technique called the ‘Steffen method’.

This would implement the window-middle-aisle technique, but board all odd rows before even rows.

This means allowing more space between rows for passengers to put bags in overhead lockers and get into their seats.

But until all airlines roll this out, you can expect passengers to still crowd at the gates, especially on budget flights where there is limited overhead locker space.

This annoying airport habit is known as gate-licing – where passengers congregate at the boarding gate even if they are not called for boarding.

Brian Hart Hoffman, who was a flight attendant for eight years, told the Thrillist that crew “absolutely hate” gate lice.

He added: “There is no need for it and it absolutely hinders the flow of boarding.”

Larissa Dos Santos Lima’s Transformative Plastic Surgery Journey: Empowerment or Excess?

Larissa Dos Santos Lima, known for her captivating presence on 90 Day Fiancé, has made headlines for her extensive plastic surgery journey, investing over $72,000 in various procedures to transform her look. As a social media personality constantly in the spotlight, Larissa takes pride in sharing her experiences with fans, showcasing her quest for beauty and self-improvement.

In a revealing interview with Life & Style in September 2020, Larissa opened up about her motivations for these transformations. “I have family in Brazil and a younger boyfriend who is 28,” she explained. “Being in the public eye can be challenging. While I do face criticism, many of my supporters are genuinely curious about my procedures and fashion choices. I want to feel good about myself, support my family back home, and build a life for myself here.”

Courtesy of Larissa Dos Santos Lima/Instagram

The Belly Button Mishap

However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Larissa faced a distressing setback when she revealed that her belly button was “removed” during what she described as a “botched procedure.” In an emotional update, she disclosed that she underwent “three very painful revisions to create a belly button,” but unfortunately, it was never successfully fixed.

During a candid Instagram Story Q&A in September 2022, Larissa shared her thoughts on her body image post-surgery. Despite the hardships, she expressed that she is “pretty happy” with her current appearance and has decided to halt further cosmetic procedures. When a fan asked about the possibility of future surgeries, Larissa thoughtfully replied, “Sometimes I think about how my waist looks when I pose, but honestly, it’s a bit crazy to consider going under the knife just to have a smaller waist. At what point do you stop? I want to enjoy my life now … without worrying about my appearance.”

Larissa’s journey serves as a reminder that beauty is subjective and that the pursuit of self-love and acceptance often comes with its own unique challenges. As she moves forward, fans are eager to see how she continues to embrace her evolving identity in the public eye.

Courtesy of Larissa Dos Santos Lima/Instagram

The Hidden Dangers of Plastic Surgery Addiction: What You Need to Know

Plastic surgery can be a powerful tool for enhancing one’s appearance and boosting self-confidence, but it’s important to recognize the potential risks involved—both medical and psychological. The pursuit of beauty can sometimes lead to unhealthy obsessions, fueled by societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards that the industry perpetuates.

When celebrities like the Kardashians share their experiences with procedures like lip fillers or breast augmentations, it can spark a trend among fans and followers. This phenomenon helps explain the rising popularity of procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and buccal fat removal. The desire to alter one’s body often stems from an aspiration to mirror the looks of beloved movie stars. However, a study published in the 2024 Journal of Media Psychology emphasizes the importance of managing expectations. It highlights the vast difference between the polished images we see on screen and the everyday realities of life.

Courtesy of Larissa Dos Santos Lima/Instagram

While cosmetic procedures can produce satisfying results, it’s essential to remember that they aren’t miraculous solutions. Celebrities benefit from a team of professionals, including makeup artists, nutritionists, publicists, and stylists, all contributing to the flawless images we admire. Unfortunately, these depictions can distort our perception of beauty, leading many to believe they need drastic changes to feel worthy or attractive.

The journey can become even more complicated when individuals find themselves unhappy with their results, often leading to additional surgeries in a quest for their ideal appearance. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a consistent rise in cosmetic procedures in 2022, raising concerns about the potential for addiction to aesthetic changes. This underscores the necessity for thorough psychological assessments by medical professionals before agreeing to multiple or repeated surgeries.

Courtesy of Larissa Dos Santos Lima/Instagram

Empower Yourself with Thoughtful Choices

Cosmetic surgery can be transformative when approached with care and mindfulness. To minimize the psychological risks associated with surgery, here are some practical tips to consider:

1. Set Realistic Expectations: Aim for achievable results rather than striving for perfection. Recognize that every individual’s experience is unique, and it’s unrealistic to expect drastic changes.
2. Encourage Open Dialogue: Keep communication lines open with your plastic surgeon and your loved ones. Discuss your motivations, concerns, and emotional well-being throughout the process.
3. Seek Professional Support: If you find yourself struggling with your emotions post-surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from mental health professionals.
4. Cultivate Media Awareness: Develop critical thinking skills when engaging with media portrayals of beauty and surgical outcomes. Understand that the notion of a “perfect look” is often a fantasy.

The relationship between plastic surgery and mental health is intricate and varies from person to person. Plastic surgeons play a vital role that extends beyond the operating room. By being aware of potential challenges and promoting informed decision-making, cosmetic surgery can become a source of empowerment rather than insecurity or disappointment. Remember, true beauty comes from within, and making thoughtful choices can help you feel confident in your skin, no matter what.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of plastic surgery requires careful consideration and self-reflection. It’s vital to prioritize your mental health while exploring ways to enhance your appearance. By fostering a healthy relationship with beauty standards and seeking the right support, you can embark on a journey that truly celebrates you.

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HSBC’s new chief Georges Elhedery is engaging in a reshuffle. It could be the purposeful reshaping of a supertanker towards a promising new future — or it could be merely some drag-reducing furniture rearrangement. Either way it should raise questions about the bank’s broader direction of travel.     

It is not hard to see why Elhedery may be looking to declutter his vessel. The bank, listed in both Hong Kong and London, is in a sweet spot: expenses consume just under 50 per cent of its income, and it generated a 15 per cent return on tangible equity in 2023, where 10 per cent is the least shareholders tend to demand. Yet its seas can only get choppier.

Widely expected rate cuts are one menace. For every 100 basis points that interest rates decline, HSBC’s illustrative sensitivity analysis yields a $2.6bn cut from full-year net interest income.

Indeed, a Barclays analysis suggests that, should 2026 rates fall to 3 per cent, the bank will need to cut $1.4bn of costs to keep its returns on equity above 13 per cent. That’s a glum prospect for HSBC’s 214,000 employees. Gold-standard Singaporean competitor DBS is 50 per cent more profitable per employee, Barclays reckons. 

Elhedery hasn’t put a number on what level of costs his rejig will save. HSBC’s unmoved share price on Tuesday suggests investors think not much. Yet there’s virtue in simplicity. The bank is unshackling its two home markets, Hong Kong and the UK, from any regional-and-product matrix and turning them into standalone full-service banks. That may make them sprightlier. Crunching together its investment banking and commercial lending businesses should help reduce some overlap.

What results, though, is still somewhat ungainly. The bank is headquartered in the UK despite making nearly three-fifths of its profits in Asia. Major shareholder Ping An, the Chinese insurer, has unsuccessfully pushed for the separation of its Asian business from the rest of its operations.

Putting UK and Hong Kong businesses in their own divisions, meanwhile, shows their lack of synergies with each other and the rest of the organisation. And a further split in the way the businesses are managed between ‘Eastern’ and ‘Western’ looks odd for a global bank. HSBC’s valuation reflects its uncomfortable straddle. Its shares trade at an undemanding valuation of 1.1 times tangible book — a premium compared to the beleaguered European banking sector, but a big discount to the largest US banks and DBS.

HSBC may insist that it is simply aligning its workforce with its strategy. For a new chief executive with something to prove, it’s helpful to make an entrance. But having changed what HSBC looks like, his next challenge is to be clearer about where it’s going. 

camilla.palladino@ft.com