I always get so excited when I get to fly anywhere. I have been traveling by plane for as long as I can remember and it has always been the easiest way for us to get where we need to go. However, now that I have started traveling alone, I have realized that as exciting as flying is, there are definitely some aspects that I certainly DO dislike about the experience, and I tend to block these out from my memory...until the next time I have to fly again.
1. The pre-flight "hurry up and wait" process.
All airlines recommend you arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before your scheduled boarding time. But honestly, how often does that really happen? For me, it’s rare, but when I actually do, I breeze through security and then have to sit at my gate for what feels like forever. But, of course, anytime I am running even a few minutes late, security is so slow I have to run to make it to my gate on time. But maybe that has more to do with my bad luck than anything else.
2. Airplanes are SO incredibly loud!
I don’t know if I was sitting above the engines but my last flight, well, the flight I’m writing this during, is so freaking loud. I can barely hear myself think. I have no doubt that I will have a headache by the time we land. But unless you’re on a very early or very late flight (in which everyone is sleeping) the likelihood of your flight being anything that can be considered close to quiet is slim to none. Whether it's because of the engines, movies playing, people talking (or laughing obnoxiously), babies crying or dogs barking, your flight is going to be loud.
3. COSTS!
I am relatively new to this whole idea of buying flights and taking trips by myself. Actually, this is my very first vacation that isn’t me going “home," and therefore the first trip I am funding entirely on my own. But the airline I’m on makes you pay for everything! Even when I was booking the flight, they wanted me to pay extra for any choices they gave me. If I wanted to pick my seat, extra fee. If I wanted a paper boarding pass, extra fee. If I had any bags, even a carry-on, extra fee. Then I got on the flight, and while most airlines still give out complimentary drinks and snacks, not this one. Even just getting water costs money. I’m surprised they don’t have an extra fee for using the restroom during the flight.
4. The. Seats.
Airplane seats are tiny! I know this isn’t really a new thing, but I am always shocked each time I get on another flight and see how small it really is. Luckily, if you’re on the aisle seat, you can stretch your feet out. But, looking around right now, I am the only person taking advantage of this perk. Maybe it's frowned upon? But I am a tiny person and my legs aren’t that long so I’m really unsure of how everyone else survives. The next best seat is obviously the window because you can just rest your head against it and knock out for the entire flight. But then again, if you’re traveling with someone, your seat doesn’t matter because you can just lay against them and fall asleep.
5. The air-conditioning.
When you’re on the ground and the AC isn’t on or isn’t on nearly enough so you’re sweating and BOOM! There’s that nice aroma of sweaty strangers in the air. Once you get to cruising altitude, though, suddenly it’s the freaking North Pole in the cabin, and because you were sweating so much before, you are actually freezing now.
But I have to be honest: even with all these little annoyances, I still love to fly. When you fly, it means you’re traveling, and traveling is the best no matter where you go, no matter the reason you go. Whether it’s for work, family or play, just getting to spend time in a different place than you are used to is always awesome, hands-down.
