Rolling on the Runway: A Traveler’s Guide to Airport Personalities

Welcome to the Airport

Whether you are traveling for vacation or business, there is one commonality amongst all types of travelers, and that is…who you become when you enter the airport.  

You’ve successfully made it to the airport to catch your flight.  Maybe you’re a business or solo traveler who’s ready to quickly move through security so you can grab a coffee and get settled in.  Maybe you’re in the family of travelers who are just happy you got to the airport on time and you didn’t  lose a bag, a favorite stuffed animal, or one of your kids.

Overhead you hear, “No liquids.  Shoes in the bin.  Please remove everything from your pockets.  Laptop computers and all electronic devices must come out of your bag.”  These are the familiar sounds of making your way through security. 

Whether or not you realize it, your airport personality is emerging with every step through the security line.  But who will you become on the other end of that line?  Who are you when you’re at the airport?  

Join me for a cup of coffee and let’s grab a seat at this gate over here to observe our fellow travelers.

The Characters Among Us

First, we see The Greeter.  Hello to everyone, says the greeter.  This person is happy to be moving about the airport.  They’re in no hurry.  Their head is on a swivel as they smile and nod at their fellow travelers.  Their glass is half full with jet fuel!  They don’t work here but they should get paid for excitedly making other airport patrons feel welcome.  Smile and we will gladly smile back.

Opposite the Greeter, we have the Grumbler.  They do not want to be here and will not be smiling at anyone.  They really aren’t into people or flying, but they need to get to where they’re going.  We can hear the “hrumpf” as they grumble by.  They shouldn’t be bothering us unless we were relying on them for a feel good moment and are now disappointed.

The Grumbler missed their calling to join The Invisibles.  No one really knows who The Invisibles are but we know they are there.   We feel their presence, but they draw no attention.  Thankfully, they keep things moving efficiently and we can all appreciate their contribution to pleasant travel. 

A less annoyed Grumber is the Avoider.  The Avoider aspires to be invisible but they haven’t figured it out yet.  Their heads are down with ear buds in.  They are deep into their phone, tablet, laptop, or a book.  No harm done.  It’s all good.  We can stay out of each other’s way.

The Grumbler, Avoider, and Invisibles are going to fly under the radar.  They don’t bother anyone and we can stay out of their way.  For them, airports are just a means to an end. Just when we thought things were quiet, we realize The Disrupter is lurking amongst us.  

The Disrupter will fool you by posing as a Greeter but secretly their glass is half empty.  You don’t know it until…dun dun dun…the security line is long and slow, there is a flight delay, or there’s a hiccup at the gate.  “This is ridiculous!”, “I cannot believe they….” are a few common phrases they’ll say.  Add some profanity they mutter under their breath, but loud enough that others will hopefully overhear to really get the party started.

The Disrupter is craving attention.  They want to be heard.  They are the misery that is anxiously inviting company.  Soon enough, they have a few people in their camp to banter with while the rest of us innocent bystanders ignore them and avoid eye contact.  Guess who’s not worried about them…The Avoider or The Invisibles!  Maybe The Grumblers would join in on the communal whining but they are too anti-social.

Look out!  The Stealth just whizzed past.  No looks, no nonsense.  Just fast walking with the most efficiently packed carry-on in tow.  They’ve got travel down to a science.  They are cordial and may crack a quick smile if there’s time.  They dodge and weave like a sports car.  These pro-travelers make us all look like sloths.  

We commend their commitment and how they’ve mastered the art of travel.  We stay out of their way.  Gates later, when we finally catch up to them, we will find them plugged in at a workstation with a full Starbucks.  They are productive energizer bunnies.

Lastly, The Innocent sneak past us.  They rarely travel and are outside of their comfort zone.  They are attempting a half smile telling themselves they are having fun and this is all worth it.  Deep down, The Innocent are anxious to get to their final destination.  They aren’t sure if they really like to fly because they don’t do it enough.  

We will be nice to them.  If they are looking around the airport, we will ask if they need directions.  We will help them find their seat on the plane.  We were all Innocents in our early days of travel.  Let’s lend a hand and make them feel welcome, like others did for us.

The Group Travelers

Here comes The Wolfpack.  This is a family of travelers and they are commanding the walkway space!  They are excited but stressed.  They are attempting to stick together while getting to their gate and grabbing food along the way.  They use their stroller like a minivan.  It’s fully packed and you may see a child’s head peeking out through the blankets, duffle bags, and water bottles.  

They are thinking, don’t lose anyone, don’t forget a bag, don’t touch that, or don’t put your hands in your mouth.  We’ve got a mixture of emotions amongst the group: excitement, hangry, frustration, and relief.  We assume they are going to Disney World.  

The ‘Guys Trip’ Guys are relieved that they checked their golf clubs and are owning the airport.  They are similar to the Wolfpack but without the stress.  They occupy the sports bar at all hours and are gearing up for a ‘baggage free’ weekend.  Don’t tell anyone what you see.  What happens at the airport, stays at the airport.  Now they have the liquid courage to get on that plane!

The Girls’ Trippers are also traveling in style, often coordinating their cowgirl hats and boots or some tropical gear that signals, we are ready to party.  I’m thinking these groups are heading to Nashville or Miami, depending on their jazzy styles.  We’ve got girls' weekends, birthdays, and bachelorette parties ready to commence.  Sashes and tiaras usually signal what they are celebrating. Yes way, Rosé!

Will You Embrace Your Personality?

Now that we’ve seen what comes out the other side of the airport security line, I have to ask…what is your airport personality?