8 cringey airport behaviors that quickly reveal you haven’t traveled since 2019

by Lachlan Brown | May 5, 2026, 9:38 pm

Traveling can be a great adventure, but it also has its own set of etiquettes and unspoken rules. Now, after a year of staying home in 2020, it’s understandable if you’re a bit rusty.

There’s a big gap between being a seasoned traveler and a novice. The difference lies in how you conduct yourself at airports, the gateway to your journeys.

Exhibiting certain behaviors at an airport can instantly reveal that you haven’t been on a plane since 2019. Yes, they’re that cringey. They make fellow travelers roll their eyes and airport staff sigh in exasperation.

To help you avoid these tell-tale signs of travel-rustiness, I’m here to share eight airport behaviors that are sure to give you away. These are behaviors you might not even realize you’re displaying!

In this article, I’ll help you navigate these common pitfalls, so you can travel with grace and confidence once again. Let’s get started.

1) Overpacking your carry-on

We’ve all been there. After a year of no travel, you’re excited and want to be prepared for every possible situation.

But let me tell you, there’s a clear line between being prepared and going overboard.

Seasoned travelers know the art of packing light, especially when it comes to carry-on luggage. They understand that it’s not just about fitting everything into your bag. It’s also about making sure you can quickly and easily access the essentials during the journey.

If you’re struggling with your overly-stuffed carry-on at security, or worse, trying to shove it into the overhead compartment on the plane, it’s a dead giveaway you haven’t traveled recently.

Remember, less is more when it comes to packing for a flight. Aim for essentials only, and keep it organized. Not only will this make your travel experience smoother, but it’ll also save you from some embarrassing moments at the airport.

2) Getting confused at security

I’ll never forget my first flight after the long hiatus of 2020. I was at the security checkpoint, and I found myself fumbling with my belongings.

I was unsure about the liquids rule – does my hand sanitizer count? And what about my laptop, does it need its own bin? I could feel the impatient stares from the travelers behind me as I struggled to remember the process.

It was as if I had forgotten all the rules and routines that were once second nature to me. It was a clear sign I hadn’t been in an airport since 2019.

So, before you head to the airport, take a few minutes to refresh your memory on the security protocols. Trust me, it’ll save you from a lot of confusion and embarrassment, and keep the line moving for everyone else.

3) Not using digital boarding passes

In recent years, airports have been adopting more and more digital solutions to streamline the travel experience. One of these is the digital boarding pass, which most airlines now offer through their apps.

However, if you’re still clinging to your printed boarding pass, it might be a sign that you haven’t traveled since 2019.

Here’s something you might not know: it was reported that Ryanair has saved 300 tons of paper due to its digital boarding passes, and will increase in the future years.

By switching to a digital boarding pass, not only will you be keeping up with the times, but you’ll also be doing your part for the environment. So next time you fly, consider going paperless. It’s easier than you think!

4) Ignoring social distancing markers

A lot has changed in the world since 2019, and airports are no exception. One of the most noticeable changes has been the introduction of social distancing markers.

These are the stickers or signs placed on the floor to help passengers maintain a safe distance from each other while queuing.

However, if you’re standing too close to the person in front of you, or if you’re ignoring these markers altogether, it’s a clear sign that you haven’t been in an airport since 2019.

You see, respecting these markers isn’t just about following rules – it’s about ensuring your safety and the safety of those around you. So next time you’re at the airport, keep an eye out for these markers and be sure to follow them.

5) Not appreciating the journey

Before 2020, travel was something many of us took for granted. It was just another part of life, and often, we were too focused on the destination to appreciate the journey.

But having spent a year without travel, it’s clear how much of a privilege it truly is.

If you’re rushing through the airport, impatient and frustrated, it might reveal that you haven’t traveled since 2019. You’ve forgotten what it’s like to not be able to travel at all.

Next time you find yourself in an airport, take a moment to breathe and appreciate the journey. Look around at all the different people, each with their own stories and destinations.

To travel is a gift. It’s an opportunity to explore new places, meet new people, and create new memories. Don’t let the small inconveniences of the trip take away from the joy of the journey itself.

6) Rushing to board the plane

I’ve always been the kind of person who likes to be first. Whether it’s a competition, a line, or a plane, I want to be at the front. But, after a year without travel, I found myself rushing to board the plane as soon as the boarding announcement was made.

In my eagerness to get back in the air, I had forgotten one simple truth: we all arrive at the same time.

Rushing to board the plane when your row hasn’t been called, or constantly checking your watch while waiting, can reveal that you haven’t traveled since 2019.

Next time you’re waiting to board, try to relax. Enjoy the anticipation of your trip, chat with your travel companions, or lose yourself in a good book. The plane won’t leave without you – we’re all headed to the same destination.

7) Not being ready for the temperature checks

In response to the global pandemic, many airports have implemented mandatory temperature checks as part of their safety measures.

However, if you’re caught off guard by this or don’t know where to stand or how to behave during these checks, it could be a sign that you haven’t traveled since 2019.

Being prepared for these checks can help the process run smoothly and efficiently. It’s a small step, but it can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.

Remember, these measures are not there to inconvenience you but to ensure the wellbeing of all travelers. So be patient, cooperate with the staff, and let’s all do our part in making travel safe again.

8) Forgetting to enjoy the experience

Travel isn’t just about reaching your destination. It’s about the journey, the experiences, and the memories you make along the way.

If you’re so focused on getting to your destination that you forget to enjoy the experience of travel itself, it’s a clear sign that you haven’t traveled since 2019.

Yes, airports can be chaotic and stressful. But they’re also places of excitement, anticipation, and new beginnings.

So next time you’re at the airport, take a moment to soak it all in. Watch the planes take off and land, listen to the announcements in different languages, and relish the unique buzz of activity that only airports can offer.

After all, travel is a privilege. And every moment in an airport is a reminder of that privilege. So enjoy it.

Final thoughts: Travel is a privilege

The world of travel is an ever-evolving landscape. It’s a blend of old practices and new norms, with a dash of unpredictability thrown in for good measure.

In an airport, every step you take, every action you perform, tells a story. It reveals not just your travel history, but also your adaptability, your respect for others, and your openness to new experiences.

In the grand tapestry that is travel, these cringey behaviors might seem like small threads. But they are threads that weave together to form the larger picture of who you are as a traveler.

Whether it’s overpacking your carry-on or not being ready for temperature checks, these small slips can quickly add up and impact your overall travel experience.

But remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about learning, evolving, and making the most of every journey.

Travel is a privilege, not just because it allows us to explore new places, but because it gives us the opportunity to grow, to learn new things about ourselves and the world around us.

So next time you’re at an airport, remember that each moment is a chance to make your journey better. To become a better traveler. To create better stories.

After all, isn’t that what travel is all about?

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.