And more importantly, why?
This week I traveled to Chicago, I like Chicago, it’s a shame I couldn’t have stayed longer, the city is always alive, full of energy, don’t worry Chicago, I’ll be back. While at the airport I was struck, and again sitting on the plane as to all the different types of flyers there are. If you have read this blog at all in the past you know I am a frequent flyer. As one of those people who fly weekly, I have taken on a sort of style or type myself. I’m not talking about tall flyers, short flyers, family flyers or business flyers etc no I’m talking about personality traits that dictate what type of flyer you are. I am sure that some may find this a bit harsh, but follow me on this.
Decades ago flying was fun, something to look forward to, something you dressed up for even, something that put a smile on your face and made you proud when you told your friends of your pending exotic trip, even if you were only going to Tupelo (not that Tupelo is a bad place). Something that brought thoughts of exotic locations and new exciting people to meet who are unlike yourself. In short something to look forward to with anticipation and excitement and just a touch of trepidation because of the unknown.
Is it still that way?
When I arrive at the airport, it is my mission to get through security as quickly as possible, with the least amount of trouble, someone who flies as often as I do has learned the process of how to move through the system quickly. What to wear, what line to get into, how to pack, when to look someone in the eye or not in order to get through it fast, even what type of boarding pass to have, yes there are choices. But others have not.
Once through security (someday I will write about my TSA experiences) I can not get to the airline lounge fast enough. Often I feel like a mouse caught in a maze navigating around all the other mice who are dodging in and out. My patience is tested with people who can’t seem to walk in a straight line, or those who stop in the middle of their stride just to realize they were at the airport, completely unaware that there are hundreds of others walking directly behind them and about to run them down. But I have trained myself to get through this maze, quickly and find my peace in the airport lounge, with other people just like me, lonely travelers. I rarely notice in any meaningful way the people in the terminal or at the gates, I’ve trained myself to become oblivious to who they are.
But who are they and what type of fliers are they?
It is very difficult to tell in the terminal, but once your on the plane it is also very difficult to hide what type of flyer you truly are. At the airport I see, the businessman or woman with their briefcase in hand, the family on their way to grandmas or a vacation or the elderly that are completely confused in this foreign land called the Airport. This is not what I mean by type of flyer though. It becomes obvious on the plane, this is where you see it, oh yeah all those people are on my flight. However I don’t really see them that way, when I look around, I see.
The Nervous Flyer
You know the type, darting eyes, overly tightened seat belt, white knuckles during take off and landing. Then comes the one hour explanation of why they are so nervous. Afraid to get out of their seat during the flight flyer.
The Unaware Flyer
The type that is not aware that there are about 300 other people on this flight, they walk up and down the aisle, smacking you with their oversized luggage. Their not concerned nor are they even aware of the unwritten rules of arm sharing between seats or sleeping when they know they snore like a bear during hibernation. They don’t think there are rules to follow, they are oblivious.
The Impatient Flyer
This is the person who truly believes that planes take off on time and doesn’t understand why we are 5 minutes past our departure time. These people seem to believe that time really goes about 1- 1/2 times slower while in the air than on the ground, the drinks don’t come fast enough, there shouldn’t be a line for the bathroom etc.
The Unrealistic Expectations Flyer
This flyer is a lot like the Impatient Flyer, except they forget that the seats are close together when they book their ticket then board the plane and complain that there is no room. They just can’t understand why they don’t have more room. They expect courteous help, a free cocktail and by all means a bag of free peanuts, oh yeah and a pillow and blanket, without other people’s hair on them.
The Worker Bee Flyer
You know the type, walks on the plane with their laptop open and working or their on the phone closing the greatest deal in the history of the earth while they walk to their seat and sit down, buckle up and gets right to work, but don’t seem to accomplish much while they are doing it. Complaining about all the work they have to get done before they land, only when you glance over they are playing solitaire.
The Easily Annoyed Flyer
The smallest things can do it, you reaching up and over to turn on your light or open your air vent. Constantly fidgeting in their seat and giving the evil eye to the person sitting next to them because they breathe funny or smell funny, or look funny it doesn’t really matter, your just annoying them.
The Everything but the Kitchen Sink Flyer
We all know this one, too much luggage or the luggage is too large to fit in the overhead. they overpack for their two days in Tupelo and refuse to check a bag because it may cost some money. So they try to force it in. You know they need more space for life’s stuff. Or the person who reads the newspaper, holding it wide open encroaching into your space, they want and expect you to respect their personal space, but thinks their personal space is the whole plane and your infringing on it. Gets annoyed that their seat is too small. Can often be confused with Unrealistic Flyer and Easily Annoyed Flyer.
The McDonalds Flyer
One of my favorites. These are the people traveling with children, small children usually. They like to let their kids out of their seats to walk up and down the aisle, knocking into people etc so that the parents don’t have to deal with them while they are flying it’s the “out of sight out of mind” philosophy. At this point the plane becomes the ball pit at the local McDonalds. These are also know as the kickers, you know always kicking the back of your seat.
With the exception of the McDonalds Flyer, I have been all of these types over the years. I have also learned to mesh them all together when necessary, or pull out the one I need in an instance. For the most part I am now the type of flyer who can fall asleep in my own space before take off, the quiet, doesn’t like to talk much flyer, the aware flyer, but not too aware and most importantly the flyer that HAS a realistic expectation of what flying is today and how stressful it can be and why you just have to relax, take a deep breathe, for it will come to an end.
Today it seems that flying is a microcosm of anywhere in the life of anyone. Look around when your out and about, do you see some of these same people, at the mall, restaurant, grocery store, certainly at McDonalds, don’t you? Are we ever to see the glory days of flying again? With daily news of airlines financial troubles, passengers throwing their food trays because they didn’t get a vegan meal, or flight attendants slamming a beer on their way down the escape chute, of planes popping open like a big flying sardine can.
Sadly, I don’t think the glory days will come again.
I know what type of flyer I am.
What type are you? What type do you want to be?
Don’t be shy, leave a comment, do you know of another type?
Happy Travels
http://www.travelwithscott.com
Hey it's me! I enjoy long walks on the beach, sunsets..... oh whatever. I enjoy traveling and having fun, join me on my next trip.
I am the “Can’t wait to get on the road again” traveler. Retired almost a year from a job I couldn’t wait to leave I’m looking for something, anything to do before I go nuts! Granted, my work travels were restricted to no more than six hours drive time from home. Nonetheless, I was active, doing something whether it was windshield time or sitting in a cellar reconciling numbers I worked eight plus hours a day, five days a week. Yes, my vacation time found me in far flung locations typically more than ten or twelve-hours flight time from home but I knew I would go back to, ugh, work come Monday morning. During my non-working travel I discovered how little attention I paid to my college photography instructor or that creative writing course. Returning to work on Monday mornings I spent too much time trying to figure out where my next vacation would take me. Would I want to go back to work full- time? Maybe. Certainly not to the mundane work of my previous job, analyzing numbers but a job where I could interact with people. Suppose, suppose just for a moment- that I could write an award winning travel column. My new employer would be sending me to exotic locations around the world; traveling as a “Worker Bee Flyer” perhaps sitting next to the “McDonalds Flyer” or the “Impatient Flyer.” What would you think of me?
Toomanythingstoolittletime,
I would think how wonderful that you had the opportunity to chase your passion and become a travel writer. I have that same dream, so maybe we will meet up in the airport. The thing that I believe most people have in common is that we “Dream” of something more whether it’s in our job, our personal life or the freedom and financial ability to just go somewhere, anywhere and experience the world.
I greatly appreciate your stopping by, I have so much more to share, come back again soon.
Scott
thanks for making me laugh : )
Your welcome and thank you for stopping by my blog in progress. It’s not quite done yet, but I will get there.
Scott
Hi Scott! Yes, I did like this article – anything like this always makes me laugh. I, too, am some of those flyers (excluding the McDonalds one). Actually, I’m afraid to fly! But I fly a LOT, too. I know you mentioned briefly about the “Old Days” – http://airportsmadesimple.com/2012/03/19/can-flying-be-fun-again/ the romance of flying and how it used to be. I agree! you don’t have to read it, but one of my older posts got a 50/50 response. Half thought it “could” happen if you are prepared and expect nothing – ha. The other half was like “no way-it’s NEVER going back to that. I think a LOT has to do with education – with ignorance comes fear and stress. Here it is – curious as to your thoughts?
I did read it, and I think you are right, we can see the winds of change happening. I commented on the post.
Great post! I actually chuckled a few times. People watching is a favorite pass time of mine while at the airport and you hit your characterizations spot on in this!
Thanks Geography of a Nomad.
People watching is one of my favorite past times as well.
Hi Scott
somehow I can ot find myself as traveller. I fly very often accross the europe and I have been even in states, Africa and Asia.
I missed the organized and rutine flyer in your article though I agree about the types you described. I had them in front of my eyes while reading your article:-)
I would classify myself as a very organized flyer:
on time at the airpot, welle packed approved handbagage
on time by the gate
mostly sleeping or listening music on the plane.
Sometimes talking to other traveller sitting beside me – depending on their personality.
Sometimes when people discuss low budget companies I just wonder: why don´t you read the conditions before clicking on agree. They wouldn´t be surprised that they charge them extra for too big bagage. Today, I am more excited about new destination than the flight itself. Sometimes I still look on people at the airports and remember old good times when people had nice clothes and good manners.
Hi Andrea,
It sounds to me you and I are a lot alike as travelers. At the end the day it should be about the excitement of the destination. I think when you fly so much it’s easy to see those that don’t because they stand out.
Scott
This iis the perfect site for everyone wwho wants to find out
about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue
with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely
put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for years.
Excellent stuff, just excellent!
HI Catharine,
I would like to say that the reason I haven’t replied is because I have been traveling so much, but in all reality I simply didn’t catch your comment. Please accept my apology.
Scott
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I look forward to fresh updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
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Continue the good work!
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