denkthoughts

I’ve got travel on the mind lately.

Isn’t it so crazy that we can literally FLY through the air and get anywhere in the world within a day or so? Us humans are pretty good at getting used to things and not giving them much more thought, but think about that again for a second. We somehow figured out how to build giant metal boxes, pack them full of people, and zip around the heavens willy-nilly. And a lot of people actually consider that experience boring.

Anyway, we just recently got back from Colorado where we visited some family and attended a friend’s wedding. It was a blast! And now over the next 11 weeks, there’s even more travel happening in our circles:

• Vancouver (the Canada one) trip
• Hosting out-of-towners #1
• Hosting out-of-towners #2
• Georgia trip
• Arizona trip
• Utah trip
• Hosting out-of-towners #3
• Arizona again
• Shelter Island trip with out-of-towners

1. Everyone should check their bags more

Checking a bag is awesome. You don’t have to worry about packing travel-sized toiletries, you don’t have to lug your suitcase all over the airport, and you don’t have to stress about boarding the plane as early as possible to try to get an overhead bin spot.

I’ve heard plenty of people complain about waiting too long at baggage claim, or airlines losing luggage, but somehow I’ve never had a single bad experience when checking bags (knock on wood). I also have a couple airline credit cards that give me free checked bags, so for me, it’s a no-brainer.

Plus, have you ever flown on any of the budget airlines that make you shove your carry-on in the tiny little size-checker before boarding? And the employee finds someone with a carry-on that’s too big and they’re like “How DARE you try to sneak this past us to avoid our fees, you disgusting sicko SCUM” and the embarrassing public shaming makes you want to never travel again?

2. Everyone should stop trying so hard to minimize their time at the airport

Why is it considered a badge of honor to barely sneak through the airport in time to board your flight right before the doors close?

The airport is literally a mall. People go to malls for fun all the time. It’s fun to walk around, check out the shops, grab a snack, hang out, and do some people-watching. Being in a rush or being stressed for time is the worst, so why not just arrive early and enjoy the mall? Plus, these days pretty much anything I’d be doing at home, I can do at the airport.

3. Aisle seats are the best

I’m gonna assume you’re not a weirdo who prefers middle seats. I used to be a window seat guy, but lately I’m all about the aisle seats. Window seats can be nice on shorter daytime flights to look out the window and enjoy the view, but for the most part aisle seats are just better all around.

There’s nothing worse than being cramped and claustrophobic and being powerless to do anything about it. Having that extra little bit of shoulder room and the ability to get up and walk around whenever is priceless. Well, maybe “priceless” is the wrong word here, since there’s quite literally a price associated with choosing an aisle seat, but you get my point.

4. Planes shouldn’t have Wi-Fi

Must we always be reachable?

Planes are one of the final escapes in society where it’s normal to be completely unplugged and present. I’ve done some of my best reading and thinking on airplanes. Or sometimes a plane is the perfect excuse to finally watch that movie you normally wouldn’t go out of your way to watch, but you have a few hours to kill and you’re bored, so you might as well.

I have very mixed feelings about airplanes offering free messaging, or even some planes having Starlink now. Like objectively I understand it’s valuable for people to have the option, but it also feels like the end of an era.

5. I’m not weird for standing up as soon as the flight is over

Why is there such a negative stigma around standing up once the plane finishes taxiing to the gate? My legs are cramped from being squished in a tiny seat for so long!

I’m not trying to assert dominance or get off the plane any sooner - it just feels good to stand up, stretch my legs, and air out my swass. Enough said.

6. The convenience and miracle of FLIGHT should outweigh any other minor inconveniences

Any number of things could go wrong on travel day. Some people seem to let these minor inconveniences ruin their whole mood. If I could offer these people some unsolicited advice, it would be to remind themselves that they’re literally FLYING THROUGH THE AIR IN COMFORT WITH AMENITIES GALORE.

I think it’s helpful to take a step back and consider traveling to your same destination, but 200 years ago instead. Sure, maybe your flight today got delayed 30 minutes, but you’ll still get there a few months faster than you would have back in the day. It’s all about that sweet, sweet, perspective.