Traveling during the holidays is not necessarily fun. Traffic is awful and security lines are atrocious. There is never an empty seat on the plane and everyone seems in even more of a hurry that usual. You would think that people would be cheerful to get off work and see their families for the holidays, but they don’t act that way.

Is it just me, or do airline seats continue to shrink? I swear I haven't grown and I feel like I am more crammed every time I fly. I used to be able to curl up in a ball and sleep, but those days are long gone. Now, I can barely use my laptop without my elbows jutting into the ribs of the person next to me. I always say I am going to study on the plane, but I barely have room to open my textbook. I hate awkwardly brushing elbows with the person next to me or getting stuck next to a arm rest hog.

My luggage is stuffed. I know I am notorious for over packing, but every time I am packing to go home, my luggage never wants to zip. Once I put all my weight on it and finally shove everything in there, I feel incredibly accomplished. I always pray that I didn't forget anything because there isn't room to squeeze one more t-shirt into that suitcase. I also hope that it isn’t an once over 50 pounds because then I’m going to have to rearrange all my bags in the middle of the airport.

I hate being trapped in a metal tube with a bunch of sick people. I know it’s cold season, but everyone seems to be sick around the holidays. I don't know if it's all the stress or lack of sleep, but no one seems healthy. I don't want to be in close proximity with all these sniffling strangers.

I love the holidays and I love a break from school, but traveling half way across the country around the holidays is something I could definitely do without.