With spring break beginning to roll around for many schools, traveling through airports either to home or on vacation is a must. After beginning my trip for spring break through multiple airports, and sitting through a four-hour layover, I began to see the wide range of diverse people traveling to and from. This being an international airport, the diversity was even more than it would have been in any other capacity. Although there was an interesting mix of people, they all seemed to be in very similar groups, 21 groups to be specific. These are the different people you will see at the airport while flying.
1. The Business Man
(Or Woman). Usually dressed very well and walking with a purpose. Also usually has a large purse or briefcase as well as a stylish and well-packed suitcase that only hold clothes for about a day or two. (Maybetalking on a phone or into a Bluetooth headset, but not always).
2. The Vacationing Family
Usually accompanied by small children (whether or not they may be happy will depend on the family). They have strollers and diaper bags and all the kids have dolls (or nowadays iPads) and cute backpacks with TV show characters on them. The parents can range in age from their 20-40s and the family will usually consist of four or more.
3. The Spring-Breakers
Usually, they are either sporting inappropriately small amounts of clothing in cold weather or their college’s t-shirt or fraternity or sorority letters. They may be seen at the bar (if they are old enough) or at the charging stations watching Netflix or browsing social media (also, may be seen taking selfies, be forewarned). Usually, they travel in packs of two or more, and will probably be carrying large water bottles, energy drinks, or iced coffees.
4. The Flight Attendant
Still in their uniform, and rushing from flight to flight, these men and women are professional and again, carrying a small suitcase that may only fit a night or two of clothes. They may be seen in packs or just one rushing from flight to flight.
5. The Disgruntled In-Laws
These groups are seen usually around the holidays more than they are now. They are the husbands or wives in families that do not want to have to see the in-laws, and would much rather be anywhere but where they are at the current moment. Sometimes may be fighting, other times no even talking, most times just giving one-word answers or disgruntled looks to their significant other.
6. The Military Personnel
May be seen in uniform, or repping their services letters or crest. You always see them boarding first, and usually, they are by themselves.
7. The College Sports Team
These people are all matching (either full outfits or just the same t-shirts). They are usually seen in food courts or flying towards southern states (most likely the Carolinas or Florida). Sometimes they will be carrying their equipment, but most likely they will be just holding Nike or Adidas bags everywhere they go.
8. The Backpackers
These people will look sometimes dirty and have about 30 pounds of random things stuffed into a large pack on their back. Depending on if they are starting or ending their trip, they will look tired and will probably be seen leaning up against, sitting on, or laying on said backpacks. Will most likely be seen in Chacos.
9. The Tourists
Most likely you will hear them speaking a different language and walking around in large groups confused. Do not try and help these people – try to let them figure things out on their own, and let them approach you if they need to be pointed in the right direction. May be seen with GoPros or large cameras around their necks.
10. The Class Trippers
A large group of students ranging from 15-22, may look like tourists, but will be more engaged with each other (or within a book) than that. They may all have the same t-shirt on, with the specific name or a country on the back. Usually, they are spoken to by someone much older (by the process of elimination a teacher or professor), and will probably be seen grouped together by the window in the terminal or sitting all in the back of the plane with each other.
11. The Honeymooners
That couple who is so in love, you are just annoyed. Usually traveling to some international or tropical locations and may even have matching “newlyweds” t-shirts or sweatshirts (barf). They will be seen without phones or electronics usually sitting unnecessarily close and holding hands. Will probably be seen dressed well and kissing every minute or two.
12. The Running Man
(Or woman). This person’s last flight was late or stopped for some reason, or security (specifically #19 on this list) made them almost late for their flight. They may be seen running the “Airport Marathon” or just awkwardly speed walking behind people until they can swerve through the crowds.
13. The “I Don’t Want to Go Home” College Students
These people are usually alone and sporting the apparel of their school from head to toe. They do not look happy or may be hungover, and you can tell they are not that excited for the break at home. These are the people who love being on their own and at school, the “rebels.”
14. The Long Layover Napper
Seen sprawled across three or four chairs or along the ground by a wall. Usually, this person comes prepared with a small pillow and blanket and is not awakened by people passing or taking pictures. May appear dead, but is usually just camped out for the longest two to six hours of their lives.
15. The Drunks on a Plane
These are the people seen at the bars or those that order the small bottles of liquor on the plane. Usually, these people can be combined with a number of others on this list (#1, #3, #4, #5, or #13 specifically). And they are either fearful of their flight or not excited to go where they are going. Most likely sipping on heavy drinks and can be seen sitting in a bar for an hour or more at a time.
16. The Unaccompanied Minor
These are the kids who look less than 15 years old and they make you do a double-take when you see them because you cannot believe someone that young is able to travel alone. Sometimes will be in groups with more young kids accompanied by a flight attendant or even pilot.
17. The Man Who Just Rolled Out of Bed
This person is usually seen in pajama pants with disheveled hair. Whether or not they chose to dress this way, they look as if they have just rolled out of bed. These are usually the people you see flying before 9 am and after 10 pm. They just want to get to their destination and do not care how they look on the travel there.
18. The Personal Musician
This is the person seen with headphones on, forgetting there are others around them. You may not notice them until they start belting their favorite verse, or air drumming so hard they hit you in the face in the middle of their solo. Usually seen wearing a band's t-shirt, or dressed like they want to be a groupie of someone, even if it does not matter who.
19. The Really Unprepared Security Liner
This person may make you late for your flight or just extremely irritated. They either have to walk through the metal detectors five or more times, or they keep asking questions about what can and cannot be in the bag. It makes you want to scream at them or just ask if you can cut, and they hold up the process for everyone else.
20. The “Model”
Most likely you will see this person in high heels or with sunglasses on. They will have full make-up on (if they are a girl), and will be wearing a hat or fur vest or ripped jeans. You know most of their clothing articles are more expensive than your outfit combined, and they strut their stuff everywhere (and let everyone know they think they are hot shit).
21. The Adorable Elderly Couple
This is the final and my favorite group seen at the airport. They are usually seen together fighting on where they are leaving from or what time they board. They may also be seen having some small talk or reading their books side by side. It does not matter where this couple is going, they are just going together, and you know they must be in love.
Although there may be more groups seen while traveling through the airport, this is just a list. Make it a game next time and try to mark all the 21 of these off while you people watch and wait for your flight. I saw most of these just while writing this article. Even if your layover is not that long, and no matter where you are going, enjoy your flight and safe travels. I’m off to be one of these travelers myself, bon voyage.
