Winter is a busy travel season; school is out, vacations are being planned and family is coming to town for the holidays. The destinations are very exciting, but the traveling is always a hassle. Getting through security on time, making sure all your bags are where they need to be, and finding your gate are all little battles. However, we always forget that there could be some disruptions on the flight itself, usually from other passengers.
1. The college kid
Usually seen rocking their school colors, college students make up a decent number of passengers on your flights, especially during the holidays. They can be super chill, the type of person that sleeps on the flight and doesn't push their way on/off the plane. On the contrary, they can be super loud and excited about going home or back to school, especially if traveling with their buds.
2. The FaceTimer (without headphones)
This one just confuses me because I see it so often: people FaceTiming on the plane without using headphones. I understand wanting to stay connected with friends and family while on the road, but the whole cabin does not need to hear about how Aunt Janice's dog got into the Christmas mashed potatoes before she served them. Crazy story, but I'd rather take my nap in peace.
3. The foodie
This could go one of two ways: very pleasant, or very gross. On one of my flights back to school, the woman next to me was eating veggie pizza and it smelled AMAZING. That was a pleasant experience. Sometimes the smells that come from food hang in the air and stick with you the whole flight and it's just a bit too much.
4. The businessman turned actor
This one is one of my favorite ones to witness. Someone who is on planes a lot for work but does not like to fly gets seated next to or in front of a loud, energetic kid and acts like it does not phase them. Coming from a graduated annoying airplane kid passenger, I apologize on behalf of all of us.
5. The sneezer
Flu season is upon us, meaning that there are plenty of sneezers and coughers and wheezers travelling. While it's understandable that you can't control when you have that conference cross-country or when you get a cold, but plenty of tissues and hand sanitizer is what separates a courteous passenger from patient zero.
