So, here’s the million-dollar question folks are actually asking: Do you ditch ’em? Do you sail through security like the airport royalty you are, or do you stand there, patiently, lovingly, waiting for your slowpoke travel companion?
The Great Airport Divide (and Why We’re Even Talking About It)
Look, this isn’t some niche query. This is a real, honest-to-goodness debate bubbling up in travel circles, online forums, and, apparently, even in the hallowed halls of PEOPLE magazine. Because travel, especially these days, is kinda… stressful. And PreCheck? It’s a literal oasis in a desert of airport anxiety. It’s the difference between a brisk 5-minute stroll and a 45-minute shuffle. And I get it. I really do. That siren song of speed is hard to resist.
But here’s the thing. We’re talking about a travel partner. Not a random stranger you happened to share an Uber to the airport with. This is someone you chose to embark on this journey with. Someone you probably booked tickets with, maybe even shared a pre-flight mimosa with. And now, at the first real hurdle, the first moment of minor inconvenience, the thought pops up: “Peace out, pal. See ya on the other side. Eventually.”
Etiquette, Schmetiquette… Or Is It?
This whole thing gained some traction recently when travel pro and etiquette expert Nicole Campoy Jackson weighed in on PEOPLE. She basically said there are times when it’s okay to split up and times when you should definitely stick together. Which, you know, makes sense on paper. But when you’re standing there, watching that PreCheck line just move, it’s a whole different story playing out in your head.
Jackson’s take? She kinda separates it into two buckets: if you’re traveling for work, or with a group of friends who are all kinda doing their own thing, then yeah, maybe you go ahead. Get through. Grab a coffee. Set up shop. But if it’s a “personal trip” with, say, your significant other, or your family, or someone you’re actually invested in having a shared experience with? Then, she says, you stick together. Which, honestly, sounds like pretty solid advice. Common sense, even. But, common sense isn’t always common, is it? Especially when a flight delay means you’re already cutting it close.
So, Are We All Just Selfish Jerks Now?
I mean, who cares about a few extra minutes, right? It’s just security. But I’ve seen the glazed-over eyes. The twitchy fingers. The sheer desperation to get past the TSA gauntlet. And it makes me wonder: has the convenience culture so thoroughly permeated our lives that we’re now willing to abandon our companions for the sake of shaving 15 minutes off our airport experience?
“If you’re flying together, you’re a team. And teams don’t leave teammates behind just because one person has a slightly easier path.” – A quote that basically summarizes my feelings, and probably Nicole Campoy Jackson’s too, if I’m being honest.
Because let’s be real, it’s not just about the time. It’s about the optics. It’s about the message. What are you saying to your travel partner when you bolt for the PreCheck line while they’re still untying their boots? You’re basically saying, “My time is more valuable than yours, and my comfort is more important than our shared experience.” Harsh? Maybe. But that’s kinda how it feels when you’re the one left behind.
The “But What If…” Argument
Okay, I’ll concede, there are edge cases. There always are.
The chronically late friend: The one who always makes you miss your connecting flight. The one who always needs to stop for another coffee. If you’ve explicitly agreed beforehand, like, “Hey, Bob, if you’re still fumbling with your ID, I’m going ahead,” and Bob agrees? Fine. But that’s an agreement. Not an ambush.
The emergency: You’re about to miss your flight, and one of you has PreCheck, and the other doesn’t, and there’s literally no time to spare. Even then, I’d say you both need to be running, and the PreCheck person should be waiting just past the x-ray machine, ready to grab bags. Not grabbing a croissant.
The “we’re meeting up later anyway” scenario: If you’re genuinely just on the same flight, but traveling entirely independently – separate check-ins, separate plans at the destination – then sure, maybe it’s not a big deal. But then, are you really “travel partners”? Or just fellow passengers?
The thing is, most of the time, we’re not in those extreme situations. Most of the time, we’re just a little impatient. And that’s where the “etiquette” part really kicks in. It’s about respect. It’s about recognizing that travel can be stressful for everyone, and a little solidarity goes a long way.
What This Actually Means
Look, I’m not gonna pretend I haven’t thought about it. That little devil on my shoulder, whispering, “Go on, just go. You earned it.” But then the angel (or maybe just my conscience) reminds me that travel is often about the journey, not just the destination. And if that journey includes someone else, then you’re kinda signing up for the whole package. The good, the bad, and the long, slow security line.
My honest take? Unless there’s a pre-arranged agreement, a genuine emergency, or you’re simply traveling on the same flight but not together in any meaningful sense, you stick with your people. Period. A few extra minutes of waiting is a small price to pay for not making your travel companion feel abandoned, or worse, like a burden. Because if you can’t handle waiting with them at the TSA line, what’s gonna happen when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to the resort? Or when their luggage gets lost?
Travel reveals character, folks. And rushing ahead, leaving your partner to navigate the chaos alone, well, that just doesn’t scream “good character” to me. It screams, “I got mine. You get yours.” And who wants to travel with someone like that? So next time you’re eyeing that PreCheck line, just remember who you’re with. And maybe, just maybe, offer to carry their laptop through once they finally get through the metal detector… if they’re still talking to you, that is.
