Airport gates can be places of extremes. One minute, they’re a quiet place to pass the time before a flight. The next, they’re a rush of activity, with chaotic boarding lines, muffled announcements overhead, and passengers gathering their things while hoping they’re in the right place at the right time. While travelers are juggling their own stresses, gate agents are managing dozens of moving parts at once on a strict timeline. But a few small actions can make a big difference in keeping the boarding process running smoothly for everyone involved. Here are six things airport gate agents wish travelers would do.

Ask Questions Early

Even well-prepared travelers may need help with things from time to time, whether it’s a seat change, extra assistance while boarding, or gate-check tags for a stroller or car seat. The best time to ask is well before boarding begins, not while it’s happening, according to United Airlines gate agents on Reddit. Once an inbound flight arrives, agents shift into a tightly timed process and interruptions become much trickier to manage. They’ll be juggling not just greeting each passenger at boarding, but also potential scanning issues, standby lists, and last-minute updates all at once. 

Of course, gate agents are happy to help, but they’re better able to do so before the rush starts. Agents interviewed by Outside magazine and Huffington Post recommend approaching them upwards of 30 minutes before boarding time. Just make sure it’s not too early — gate agents also appreciate when they’re given a few moments to log into their workstation and review the day’s itinerary when they arrive at the gate. 

Those Announcements Are Important

At the airport, it’s easy to tune out PA announcements, especially since many don’t pertain to your flight or because the terminal is simply too noisy — doubly so when loudspeakers can be a bit tricky to decipher to begin with. But gate agents share timely updates about delays, last-minute gate changes, and boarding over the loudspeaker. Ignoring them can cause unnecessary confusion for passengers and extra work for gate agents. 

Often, when passengers miss these updates, they head to the desk to ask questions that have already been answered. While gate agents are certainly there to help, it’s only one of several tasks they’re handling. Before asking, try checking the arrival and departure information board in the terminal, the screen at your gate, or airline apps for updates. During boarding chaos or tight turnaround times, even a few extra interruptions can add pressure to an already-packed workflow.

Be Ready To Board

Boarding moves quickly once it gets going, and gate agents are counting on it. Having your boarding pass out, your ID documents ready, and your group called before approaching the gate podium helps keep the line flowing smoothly. Agents aren’t just scanning you onto the plane — they’re usually troubleshooting and coordinating with crew at the same time, so doing your part to stay organized makes it a more efficient experience for everyone.

One common slowdown is when passengers approach the gate without realizing what they need in hand and end up fumbling for passes or identification. Travelers standing in the wrong group or presenting tickets for the wrong flight segment of a connecting flight (which needs manual correction through the computer) are also common causes of slowdowns. These small hiccups can add up when boarding needs to occur relatively quickly to keep flights on time.

They’re Multitasking — Not Ignoring You

It can feel frustrating when there are delays or changes, and a gate agent is typing away at their computer, barely looking up. To travelers, it might feel like they’re not paying attention, but they are — both to their environment, and to several of the other moving parts of their job. 

In just a short timespan, agents are most likely assigning seats, coordinating with flight crew, tracking connecting passengers, arranging preboarding assistance, and preparing the next flight for departure. They’re also physically responsible for parts of the turnaround process: For many airlines, that includes operating the jetway that gets passengers to the plane. A delay of even a few minutes can have a domino effect on a flight’s schedule, so it’s helpful to know they’re working as quickly as they can.

Patience Goes a Long Way

Gate agents are often the face of the airline, particularly during stressful moments, but they’re very rarely the cause of the problem. Delays, cancellations, baggage limits, and missed connections are certainly frustrating, but they are usually out of the agents’ control. What gate agents can control, though, is how they help you. Passengers who are calm, respectful, and patient often get more assistance more quickly than those who get confrontational, according to gate agents’ posts on Reddit.

When it comes to smaller requests such as seat changes or rebooking options, agents are often happy to go the extra mile for patients who treat them well. Try approaching the podium up to 30 minutes before boarding is scheduled to start to make sure they can better focus on your issue. 

Their Powers Are Limited

It’s fairly typical for passengers to need help with issues that may arise, but it’s also common for them to ask for extras such as upgrades, additional compensation if things go awry, or exceptions to rules or regulations. Agents are usually happy to help when they can, but in reality, their authority on these matters is quite limited. 

Airline protocols determine things like upgrade priorities, standby lists, and compensation for delays or overbooked flights. In many cases, the computer, not the agent, makes the final call. If the solution feels unsatisfactory, it’s recommended to politely ask if a supervisor can assist. If anything further can be done, it’ll come from above — not from the gate agent whose job it is to focus on the safe and timely departure of flights.