For most people, getting up stupidly early to travel to the airport is as much part of their holiday, as actually being away on holiday.
Unfortunately, airports are also one of the most stressful and irritating places to find yourself surrounded by crowds of equally tired holidaymakers, causing many travellers to go through a full spectrum of emotions before they ever set foot on the plane.
Trust us, we feel your pain. To help you recognise the symptoms of airport induced madness, ladies and gentlemen, icelolly.com gives to you, the 8 mental stages of air travel.
Stage One: Self-doubt
Brought on by: Last minute packing
7 bikinis, 12 dresses, 5 pairs of shorts, 8 tops, some jeans, a jacket, and 6 pairs of shoes should be enough for a week in Magaluf… right?
Stage Two: Anxiety
Brought on by: The taxi journey
Yes I know I have 3 hours to go until my flight, but STEP ON IT!
Stage Three: Excitement
Brought on by: Check-in
It’s really happening, I’m going on holiday! Yippee!
Which quickly changes to anger when you see this…
Stage Four: Guilty Panicking
Brought on by: Security
Completely unnecessary and totally irrational guilt sets in from the minute we see the body scanners. Does lipstick class as a liquid? Oh my god, I'm holding up the queue, come on shoe laces!
Stage Five: Impulsiveness
Brought on by: The departure lounge
Safely through security it’s time to shop for things we don’t need or want, just because they’re duty free!
Stage Six: Confusion
Brought on by: The gate
Why are people queuing already? Should I queue? The doors aren’t even open?
Stage Seven: Impatience
Brought on by: Boarding the plane
Hurry up! I just want to get into my seat and crack open the mini vodkas!
Stage Eight:Acceptance
Brought on by: People watching your fellow passengers
Woohoo! Finally I’m on my way!
Oh, wait. Oh. Hell. No. Every traveller's worst nightmare. The child who is potentially going to scream for the whole journey. It’s watching me…
Oh well… at least it’s only a short haul flight!
Viva Espana!
By Leanne Tonks – Complete airport stress head.