22 pet peeves about air travel

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column called “12 Ridiculous Things about Air Travel” and asked readers to e-mail their own contributions to the list. I received more than 500 responses — more than I can answer personally, but I had a great time reading each and every one of them. Thanks to those who responded; I appreciate your candor, humor and occasional good wishes.

Here are the results: a varied collection of pet peeves and wry observations — along with some polite disagreements and a handful of explanations. Many thanks to the contributors, who shall remain anonymous.

The 8 biggest gripes

My favorite pet peeves from readers

Readers had countless pet peeves and recitals of personal bad luck at airports, in security lines, on the plane and at the baggage carousel. Here are some of my favorites in the readers’ own words.

5 things that seem ridiculous but actually do have a reason

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

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Finally, here are five seemingly senseless things that actually do have a reason. Some of these I just learned myself.

A couple of readers complained that I refer to air travel as a joke when it should be considered serious business. While I don’t want to be sitting next to these readers on a long flight, I do appreciate their opinion. In fact, I do think of air travel as a joke, the same way I look on all of life as a humorous journey. For me, seeing the humor in every situation is a good way to keep sane. On the other hand, my wife says I’m not all that sane anyway, so maybe the serious folks are right after all.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation spotlights stringent New York state laws that have long drawn criticism

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts

FOR SUBSCRIBERSDecades-old march dispute reignites in Northern Ireland, threatening political crisis

I hope not.

James Wysong has worked as a flight attendant with two major international carriers during the past fifteen years. He is the author of the "The Plane Truth: Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet" and "The Air Traveler's Survival Guide." For more information about James or his books, please visit or .