8 Annoying Types of Travelers
For whatever reason, for some people, all rules of common courtesy and common sense don’t quite make it on the plane with the rest of the passengers and luggage. It’s easy to lose your patience in any social situation, but when you factor in close quarters, personality clashes, and sleep deprivation the airplane cabin can quickly turn into a powder keg of impatience. There’s nothing you can do to avoid these pesky travelers, but you can make a conscious effort to not become one of them.
1. I didn’t pay attention to the TSA security attendant on repeat.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid traveler or if you haven’t been on a plane since the Johnson administration, once you get in that TSA security checkpoint line it becomes very clear, very fast what is expected of you. All right-minded travelers want nothing more than to breeze through airport security problem, but when you’ve got Miss Oblivious in front of you who neglects to conceal her liquids in the proper Ziploc container or Mr. Too Cool who refuses to remove his hat, the odds of getting to your gate without having an annoyance-induced heart attack increase exponentially.
2. I think this is a good spot to freshen up.
The downtime that accompanies a plane ride can be eaten up by numerous activities – reading, working, music listening, movie viewing – but it should never double as primp time. As much as you’d like to think that your armrest doubles as an invisible shield from all the plucking, flossing, blowing, picking, bathing, and reapplying going on, it doesn’t … it’s just a two and a half inch wide piece of rubber and plastic that does a terrible job of deflecting any strays produced by your personal hygiene routine. Trust us, no one wants to know how many pieces of steak got caught in your teeth during lunch or how long your nails actually were.
3. I have no control over my children, and I know you’ll understand.
Just because the airplane isn’t the most conducive place for the terrible twos, doesn’t make it OK to leave all parenting rules on the tarmac. No matter how many kids you have or how stressful your travel experience has been, there’s no excuse for allowing the cabin to become your free, multi-hour day care. Learn how to control your kids before you get on the plane, pack something strong enough to zonk them out, or give them a mesmerizing toy, or all three. No one wants to spend the better half of a three-hour flight listening to temper tantrums, watching the airplane aisle become a playground, or performing a full-on leg workout when your child has to use the bathroom every five minutes.
4. I think I’m above the carry-on bag rules.
You and everyone else on the plane have listened to the same internal monologue; I’ll do whatever it takes to avoid paying those pesky checked-bag fees. The only problem: there will never be enough overhead bin and under-the-seat space on a plane. It doesn’t matter if you’re the captain of the football team, the parent with three kids, or a “very important” business person; your too big, too many carry-on bag philosophy holds no weight with a flight attendant whose embarking on the final leg or his/her redeye shift or the rest of the passengers on the plane for that matter. Learn the rules of the air, abide by them, and don’t for a minute think you can sweet-talk anyone into giving you an exception or giving up their precious personal space; you’re just not that special.
5. I’ll talk your ear off.
You’ve finally arrived in your seat after a long, rough business trip or a no-holds-barred weekend and all you’re interested in is having some you-time, sleeping, or being nose-deep in a book/personal electronic device/mp3 player. Then, your aisle mate arrives bubbling over with energy and enthusiasm. Sure, some people can take a hint from tone or body language, but every once in a while you’re bound to run into a passenger so giddy over their airborne adventure they continue to engage you in the land of oblivion. By the end of the flight, you know their life story, they know your name, and you’ve gotten no rest.
6. I have a (drinking) problem with flying.
The practice of having a little cocktail to take the edge off before a flight is fairly widespread, but then there are those who take it a little too far. Whereas most folks think of an alcoholic drink as a way to help relax and possibly snooze on the plane, there will always be those clowns who have been pounding Red Bull vodkas since their layover began five hours ago. Now, instead of a calm, courteous passenger, we have a dazed, belligerent one that fits the profile of “that guy on the evening news who they had to land the plane for because of what his drunk ass did/said.” So, don’t be that guy; know your limits and don’t over-self-medicate.
7. I don’t know the limits of my own seat.
Personal space on airplanes is growing increasingly smaller. Therefore you have to make some attempt to extend common courtesy to your fellow passenger. One way is to follow pretty logical seat etiquette; don’t dominate that shared armrest, try to avoid excessive fidgeting, remember to leave your tray table up as much as possible so people can get by, oh yeah, and try to bathe before your flight. Air travel brings enough headaches before you even reach the gate, so don’t compound those problems by being uncivil; every passenger is in the same position, literally, and deserves the same respect and space as you.
8. I love aisle seats… and sleeping.
Not everyone gets to choose where they sit on a plane. That being said, if you tend to pass out the whole flight, maybe an aisle seat is not for you. Nothing is more awkward than having to wake up a stranger, especially if they’re a heavy sleeper and you have to shake the daylights out of them. Although, no one should give you the evil eye, the occasional selfish ass will wrinkle his brow in disapproval as if to say, “do you really need to go that bad” or “you didn’t think to bring diapers.” Yes, most people are civil, but it only takes a chance encounter to leave you screaming choice words you may end up regretting later.”
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so true!
so false!
Only a small list of annoyances on airplanes, but very realistic.
I think I would have to use the infamous *airline sickness bag* if the person next to me started flossing. It churns my stomach just thinking of it, haha.
I cant stand people who think no rules apply to So true observations
“But I don’t want to take off my shoes.” I was in line behind this person last time I flew (in my crocs ’cause they’re fast to get off & on)
We have a terrible time going through security with two kids and electronics. But we stream line it as best as we can and move as fast as we can.
It is so hard for me not to ever say something to these people!
I love the picture of the baby sleeping on the tray tables. I think that may be us on the next trip.
Some very good advice and pet peeves in this article, however, I disagree with the advice to give kids something “strong enough to zonk them out”. Medicating children for the convenience of others is not okay. If the child can’t behave well enough to go on a plane, then the child should stay home. If they must be on the plane, there are certainly other ways to deal with them besides medication. Everything else was right on.
I’ll leave my 5 kids at home, how does that sound LOL.
Ew. I had no idea that many travelers Floss their teeth on a flight!
I totally agree with all these rules. No one is above any of these. Apllies to ecomomy class as well as all others.
I had a #8 one time and hated it. I had actually offered to switch with the person so they could take the window seat and sleep but they would not have it.
Love this! Thanks for the advice, and the hilarious pics to go along with it!
How true this is!
funny, yet I have a toddler and there are some things you really cant control.
I love the picture of the little boy sleeping on the tray tables! At least he’s not screaming!!!
I would add one more annoyance to the list. Those who take off their shoes and they have terribly smelly feet. That is no fun whatsoever.
Very true and thanks for entertaining pics
#7 is my pet peeve!! haha
Some people just don’t know boundaries or have common courtesy..Great list!
Ugh, I think I’ve gotten them all… once on the same flight
it was miserable.
Additionally, snorers!
#8 , closely related to #7 albeit deserving a category all of its own has to be the obnoxious traveller who insists on reclining their chair as soon as possible and encroaching further on the battery cage conditions – my long legs always retract to my rib cage and I respond by pressing against the seat with force; a no win situation all round.
And whats with the comments against medicating children? Best thing for them. My dream airline would have a no children policy or at the very least stick them all at the back together like they used to with the smokers and other miscreants.
Don’t forget to mention: The Creepy Old Guy Hitting On Your Mom!
Almost enough to make you sacrifice the coveted window seat and sit in the middle.
I believe I have actually flown with all of those people on a delayed flight one time!
I love this list–especially #2 and #3. Also, #7 is so annoying!
How about people with poor personal hygiene and those who make a lot of noise with their newspaper reading on a 6 am flight? Both of these really get on my nerves.
BTW….I hope it’s OK to share a link here. I recently wrote a post re: how to deal with one or two of these problems (ie, the bawling babies, etc.): 5 Solutions to Travel Noise Pollution at http://tiny.cc/3la6l Enjoy!