We Asked Travel Experts About the Most Annoying Airport Habits—These 5 Things Top the List
Key Points
Crowding the gate before your boarding zone is called can slow the boarding process and create unnecessary congestion.
Loud phone use, rude behavior toward airport staff, and careless suitcase handling can make stressful terminals even more frustrating.
Travel professionals also urge passengers not to request wheelchair assistance unless they genuinely need the service.
There’s no denying that travel can be incredibly stressful. While you can’t control everything that happens at the airport, certain habits can make an already arduous experience even more frustrating for those around you—and we asked several travel professionals to share the airport habits that annoy them most. Consider this your list of common offenses to try and avoid the next time you fly.
These are the five things flight attendants and other travel experts wish you’d stop doing at the airport.
Crowding the Gate
Travelers who hover around the gate before their zone is called—also called “gate lice”—tend to top the list of gripes for most travel professionals. “Among the most irritating passenger habits these days is the insistence on lining up and forming a crowd around the entry to the jet bridge,” said Patrick Smith, a former commercial airline pilot and founder of AskthePilot.com. “As soon as the first boarding call is made, 200 people, regardless of which zone or row they’re sitting in, instantly stand up and form an unruly line. The people whose turn it is to board must now fight their way to the front.”
As a result, the “already tedious boarding process,” in his words, gets slowed down.
Using a Phone Without Headphones
Whether it’s to make a call, FaceTime a loved one, or watch mindless videos, many passengers are guilty of using electronic devices with the volume on full blast. “It’s rude and disrespectful to subject people around you to your conversations or noises,” an anonymous American Airlines flight attendant shared with Travel + Leisure via text. “Invest in a pair of headphones to put people out of their misery.”
If you’re flying and forgot your headphones at home, a flight attendant will usually be happy to provide them to you at no cost. Many in-flight entertainment devices can also be synced with wireless earbuds for added comfort and convenience.
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Being Rude to Gate Agents and Airport Staff
Delays and cancellations happen, but they’re rarely, if ever, the fault of airline employees. Taking out anger and frustration on an innocent bystander is a surefire way to annoy those around you. “The agents didn’t cancel the flight and had zero say in the decision… and agents would genuinely rather see every passenger make their flight than deal with the added work of rebookings,” said Jimmy Yoon, head of points intelligence at point.me. “Beyond simply being human about it, keep in mind that the agent who’s being yelled at is far less likely to go the extra mile to take care of you when they need to rebook your flight.”
If a customer service line is too long—or you feel like you won’t be able to control your temper in person—you can always use the airline’s app. Most apps either connect passengers to a live agent or allow them to make updates themselves.
Not Being Mindful While Walking With a Suitcase
Spinner suitcases are a very specific pain point for Smith. “Way too many travelers use them, holding them well off to one side, sometimes at arm’s length,” he explained. “This now takes up the lateral space of two people. Add thousands of passengers into such congested spaces, each hauling their little outstretched sidecar, and you’ve created the worst kind of obstacle course.”
The best practice, he said, is to roll your bag directly behind you, following your shadow. “It’s in nobody else’s way unless someone is directly on your heels,” he added.
Requesting Wheelchair Access When It’s Not Needed
Wheelchair service is a necessity for many travelers—and it should be reserved for those who genuinely need it. Using the service when you don’t require it can have consequences for the travelers who do. “People who… rely on that assistance may end up waiting longer because of it, as there are only a limited number of employees who do this,” Yoon said. “It’s worth respecting that these services exist for travelers who truly need them.” Should you need extra time to go down the jet bridge, gate agents will allow you to board early.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
