Come Join for My Fourth Annual List of Travel Grievances

2025 Travel Grievances

I love and loathe travel – sometimes, concurrently.  I’m confident I come out ahead in this equation – otherwise, I wouldn’t be traveling, writing about it, or blathering on during a MtM Diamond podcast.  Of course, I’m perfect – it’s all those insufferable people who soil my travel experience.  And I absolutely must write about it every spring, because I’m supremely confident I’d hear from readers, asking why I’ve taken a year off from complaining online.  That’s what I tell myself, at least. So, let’s jump right into this mess of 2025 travel grievances.

The X-Ray Machine Belt Is My Personal Wardrobe People

I begin in a similar setting as last year, albeit with a different (or maybe similar) offender.  While some aren’t into storing the TSA bin they just used, others are apparently even less interested in moving their own bodies.  After going through the scanner, you’re waiting for your TSA bin to come down the x-ray machine belt.  Unfortunately, the traveler at the front of the belt with an apparently-bottomless bin decides to reattach each accessory, restow every item, unlace/put on/retie both shoes, etc at this crucial location.  The other bins indefinitely await this individual’s whims, sometimes accordioning together, creating a jam uglier than a hot tar spill on the Capital Beltway.  This can singlehandedly delay multiple areas of the security process.

Invariably, the offender is remarkably oblivious to the indiscretion.  But they’re even more unaware of another item – a few feet away, generous seating for travelers to reorganize.  Apparently, looking beyond their own noses is too inconvenient.

Pajamas Everywhere People

Meanwhile, other Americans going around the world can’t be bothered to dress as if they’re leaving their own homes.  Travelers sporting pajama pants and other slumber wear are seemingly everywhere.  They’ve been in hotel breakfast areas for quite some time and increasingly patronize airports these days.  If they can make an effort to buy a plane ticket, why are normal clothes such a challenge?

Of course, these individuals don’t just travel – they’re at the grocery store, fast food joint, gas station, you name it.  I imagine some get into bed after the day has gotten all over those pajamas.  Eeww.

Mindless Elevator People

Elevators and their related waiting areas are always a wild card.  One thing’s for sure, many people here left their brains somewhere else.  Elevators just invite zone-outs.  Here are just a few examples:

• People incessantly ask which way the elevator is going, not realizing they can look at the bright indicator around the door for the precious info they seek.
• Individuals arrive at their floor and are inexplicably slow or do NOT get off.  This makes another frequent faux pas more understandable, people entering an elevator before others exit.
• Individuals who enter an elevator while talking on the phone and are confounded when they lose their connection.

Not Exactly Student Driver People

I’m certainly not the first on this one, but a ton more student driver stickers and magnets seem to be on cars these days.  I don’t know why this is, perhaps because I’m not interested enough to get to the bottom of it.  Regardless, it’s annoying.  I personally subscribe to the theory that experienced drivers use these notices to excuse their poor behavior behind the wheel, like camping out in the pass lane or driving dangerously slow while they complete quite important tasks on their phones.  It’s as if they’re claiming some weird elite status on the road.

This student driver stolen valor has gone too far.  I refuse to believe that many middle-aged student drivers exist.  Like many of you, I’m now numb to those warnings.  I’m skeptical of anyone claiming to be a new driver.  To all of you crying wolf, thanks for screwing things up for the true drivers in training.

I Must Block Every Walkway People

Airports suck, especially ones in the States.  Certain travelers turn perfectly-acceptable airport walkways into their personal islands.  Worse, this happens with multiple individuals, creating an archipelago quite cumbersome to traverse.  Often, the volumes of people standing still in walkways create complete barriers to get from point A to B within a terminal.

Gate lice contribute but aren’t the sole culprit here.  Individuals post up in the middle of the walkway for most any reason, unable to think of anyone but themselves.  Barry Petchesky at Defector writes about it in this masterpiece.

I Shall Pay No Attention In Line People

Speaking of in-the-way individuals, some queue up and promptly switch off.  I’ve experienced this in restaurants, airline customer service counters, store checkouts, etc.  Workers call for the next customer, just to be ignored by the guy/gal watching some dumb crap on their phone, often at full volume.  I’ve fantasized about just moving past them to keep the line moving; instead, I meekly bring the sir or madam’s attention with an, “excuse me, you’re next.”  A man can dream.

2025 Travel Grievances – Conclusion

Okay, I think I’m good now – for another year, at least.  But please chime in with what or who has been nagging you during the past 12 months of travel.  I’d love to hear your grievances so that I can more properly put mine in context.  I’m confident many of you fall on either side of the above topics.  Are you with me, or am I way off?  Why?  Let me hear from you!