11 Things You Do at The Airport That Make Everyone Else Cringe

Few things are as mesmerizing as people-watching at the airport. It’s an incredible display of human behavior, seeing people from all walks of life cross paths for a brief moment. Of course, airports are often where you will see social norms fly by the wayside, and the audacity of some travelers is mind-boggling. Spend an hour in any airport in the country, and you’ll know what airport behaviors I’m talking about. Sometimes, it feels like I’m watching everyone’s first day on Earth. Main character syndrome is in full display. There are so many things people do at the airport that make everyone else cringe. Why?

Sure, I’ll give grace to some. Maybe it’s your first time flying, and you didn’t know you had to take liquids/laptops out. Maybe you’re anxious and completely forgot about that metal belt that sets off the scanners. But for the most part, there seems to be a growing trend of…inconsideration from travelers. I travel fairly frequently, and some of these airport behaviors just have to stop.

1. Playing Music/Videos Without Headphones

I honestly wish this were illegal. No one, and I mean no one, wants to hear your music or video. You are not the airport’s DJ. 

2. Facetime. Loudly.

Again, no one cares to hear it. Headphones are a wonderful invention. Try a pair out sometime! They even sell them in the airport!

3. Leaving Your Trash

The disrespect here is incredible. I can only imagine what your homes look like. There are trash receptacles everywhere in airports. This is also a problem on airplanes! People leave their trash in the seat pocket or even just throw it on the ground. Who raised you?

4. Bringing Smelly Food On Board

Keep your tuna-onion-boiled eggs in the food court and stop bringing them on board, where the entire plane is subjected to your pungent lunch.

5. Public Grooming

This is not the time to trim your nails, apply a gallon of perfume/cologne, or apply any heavy-scented lotions. 

6. Gate Lice

You know the ones. They lurk around the boarding area immediately after the gate opens, even though they are in the last boarding group. It makes it impossible for travelers with earlier boarding groups to get through. Please stay seated until your boarding group is called. Why is this so hard?

In the same vein, don’t crowd the baggage carousel. Your proximity to the carousel does not make your suitcase appear any faster. 

7. Not Being Ready

People standing in the TSA line for 10 minutes, and then fumbling for their IDs when they get to the agent—why? This frustration carries on when travelers aren’t taking liquids out, go through the scanners with items in their pockets, etc. 

8. Showing up With Much More Than Your Carry-on + Personal Item

*long sigh*

In what world do you think the gate agents are going to let you through? And when has the “but I’ve flown with this bag for years!” argument ever worked? 

9. Intoxication

I know airport time is a free-for-all, and having a drink or two prior to takeoff is a popular pastime to “calm the nerves.” I don’t drink, but if I can smell the alcohol off of you, that’s a problem.

10. Seat Switchers

You’re welcome to ask for the window seat I paid for, but you are not allowed to give me an attitude when I say no. Enjoy that middle seat you were assigned just before boarding.  

11. Being Rude

There is never a scenario in which being rude to airport staff, TSA, or a gate agent will work out in your favor. Your entitlement is pure cringe, and I get second-hand embarrassment from your spectacle. We all do. I can’t wait to read about it from witnesses on Reddit. I look forward to it, actually!

Imagine a world where we shifted from me to we. Heck, just imagine a day at the airport where airport behaviors were centered around kindness and a genuine respect for others. Next time you’re at the airport, I challenge you to move through your terminal with this mindset. 

Share this article with your travel buddies. Have you caught them in any of these bad airport behaviors? Or are you two the ones sitting in a corner and observing the chaos?

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.