Carefreetrip.com :: Travel Blog

Remember that bumper sticker “Mean People Suck!”? Well this is even more true for travelers - Mean Travelers Suck! I am sick and tired of sitting next to, standing in line behind, or waiting for travelers who are mean and think they are entitled to something the rest of us aren’t. So listen up! We travelers need an attitude change!

Here is my list of the top offensive travelers and travel situations.

Airport delays. Stop acting like the entire mission of the airlines is to make you late for your business appointment or for the Broadway show you paid $600 a seat for. The airlines want you out of their hair as much as you want to be gone. Stop yelling at someone who usually is trying to do everything they can to help you. Its amazing how much someone is willing to help you if you use kind words like “Hello”, “Please” and even “Thank you”. Irritating the airline workers isn’t going to help you or the rest of us stuck in the same predicament you are. Take a breath, as my wife would say, and get over yourself!

Bluetooth headsets. If you need to use a bluetooth headset, then try to find a quiet place to talk. I don’t want to hear your conversation about how you are the greatest salesperson in the history of mankind, or that your oldest child just got arrested (true story) or that you need to change your travel reservations. For some reason bluetooth headset users like to talk overly loud leaving the rest of us wondering if they are talking to me or if they are just loud and obnoxious. Get away from the rest of us when using these things.

MP3 Players set at 30 dBs. Recently I was on a flight to San Francisco and an older female passenger was assigned the seat next to me. After the captain cleared the passengers to use their electronic devices, my passenger buddy pulled out her iPod and began listening to rap music at 30 dBs. Holy crap lady! Can’t you hear? By the way I have had a long day and rap music is not helping me relax in anyway. People! Control your music. I love loud music as much as the next person, but have a little respect for your fellow travelers.

Airline passengers who do not turn off their electronic devices, put up their tray tables, and/or put your seat back to the upright position. Okay Lenny, this isn’t rocket science. You agreed when you purchased your airline ticket to abide by federal law AND to adhere to the policies of the airlines. I don’t care if your cousins, brothers, friend told you that the plane will not crash if you keep your phone or iPod on. IT’S AIRLINE POLICY! Don’t question it, just do it so we can land without you demonstrating your idiotic behavior. You don’t have to agree with the policy - just DO IT!

Full Gear Backpacks. This one chaps me more than most. Have you ever just got situated with your bags in the overhead bin, already for push back when at the last minute a gent comes on board with a full gear backpack. First, how did the airlines even allow this to pass their “on-board” baggage policy? Second, if you have an extra large baggage be on time! For some reason the back pack owner thinks its okay to shove their “luggage” into an already full overhead bin and then complain that someone else’s bag is to big and bulky. I love the outdoors as much as the next person, but you have to leave your “outside” equipment outside. Try using normal luggage like the rest of us. And a note to airlines, enforce all of your policies not just the one’s you have time or have to.

Bottom line - we can all use my wife’s advice to “take a breath”. Be courteous to others who are in the same, or even worse, situation than you are. Also try to talk like you would to your grandmother not to your ship mate. Much of the current commotion for travelers could be avoided if we all get it through our thick heads that KINDNESS BEGINS WITH ME!