10 Things That Trigger Infrequent Travelers (And They’re Actually Wrong About Them). Here is the List!

Many who frequently read EyeOfTheFlyer are seasoned travelers. They have literally flown millions of miles and stayed at countless hotels. Some, like me, have spent hundreds and hundreds of nights at sea cruising around the world. Point being, frequent flyers and frequent floaters know the travel game very well.

But those who only fly maybe once or twice a year often are triggered or shall we say are upset when we who know travel do things they think we should not. Let me show you the list and see if you agree.

• The first one that always seems to upset folks is what happens as soon as an airplane reaches the gate after a flight. As soon as the “ding” sounds, indicating it is safe to stand up, everyone in aisle seats often jumps up as quickly as possible. While this upsets infrequent flyers, it is a smart thing to do, and we should all do the same 99% of the time. Why? Getting up and getting your carryon down and ready will speed the deplaning process. I say 99% of the time as the only exception to this rule is when a flight attendant tells you to please remain seated as a few passengers have a very tight connection and we should let them deplane first.

• Next up (or back, or down, as it were): seat recline. There have been endless news stories and posts about the right and wrongs of seat reline and even events that have gotten out of hand when someone has reclined their seat. The simple truth is the seat is yours and you 100% have the right to recline your seat you paid for. Now sure there are simple courtesies that should be observed such as reclining slowly and not reclining during meal times and so on but no one should ever tell you that you can not recline your seat!

• Arriving early at a cruise port. Switching gears or shall we say rudders, another thing that seems to upset so many is passengers who arrive early at the cruise port. Most cruise lines even try to prevent you from arriving early by telling you when you should arrive. However, a vast majority of the time when you arrive is up to you and if you are some of the first at the port you will be some of the first onboard to begin to enjoy your cruise vacation.

• Boarding a jet as quickly as possible. With this point understand I am not talking about crowding the boarding area. That is stupid, pointless and only slows down boarding. But if you are booked in first or have status that allows early boarding by all means you have the right to board as soon as you can. Doing this may trigger some but they did not pay or earn the right you have to get onboard early.

• Spending points vs. hoarding them. Next, we have one that always blows my mind, and that is those who think it is wise to hoard frequent flyer points vs. spending them as quickly as possible. I have had endless conversations with folks who have a goal in mind of holding 1 million or even many millions of points for “when they retire” or for some amazing trips years away – they are fools. The reality is frequent flyer points are like milk – they have a shelf life and are getting worse every moment you wait before consuming them. I have told this to many people — and you should see how they instantly dismiss me. I just smile and think of their reaction as gulping down a large swallow of spoiled milk! 😉

• The value of points vs. cash back. Another trigger point is getting folks to understand the outsized value of some points vs. cash. I get why some feel that cash is king, and during the COVID years, I would agree with them and even took the same stand and focused on cash back. But those days are now over and being able to fly in business class or cruise for free in a suite and so on can yield vastly more than a 2% cash back card.

• Bringing your own food onboard. It seems folks are upset when I pull out a delicious sub sandwich to enjoy with the chips and cookies provided by the airline. The smell of salami and capricola along with vinegar and oil results in looks of distain. Well, too bad. You may not be aware but most flight attendants and crew bring their own food onboard. Why? Because airline food, even in business class, really is not all that good or healthy for you. If someone chooses to bring food onboard that is their right and you need to deal with it!

• Using elite lines at hotels or car rentals. For those who have status, there is nothing like walking into a hotel or a car rental location and seeing the elite sign and walking past the many waiting to get instant service. The infrequent travelers will give sometimes give you looks that “could kill”! Heck, there have even been commercials and movies that shame those who “jump the line.”

• Using the flight attendant call button. It seems that many infrequent flyers look upon the flight attendant call button the same as pulling a fire alarm – they are not at all the same. There is a reason airlines install these buttons and it is not only for emergency needs. If there is something you need from a flight attendant then push the button if they have not walked up and down the aisles for quite some time and you need their assistance with whatever.

• Wearing a mask when traveling. For some reason a percentage of the population seems to think that it is important to get infected breathing air from sick people. There seems to be no convincing them of the wisdom of choosing to wear a mask when traveling. Clearly the science tell us that properly wearing an n95 can help you not get sick. Of all the things on my list above this wise choice seems to trigger many more than anything on the list.

So there you are. These are the things that so many get wrong or come unglued when they see them. Is there anything we can do to help educate people what is right? I doubt it but if you have suggestions on how to school those who are wrong I am ready to hear your advice on how to help them. – René