Unfortunately for those who have to fly, we live in a world that now needs strict and sometimes embarrassing security measures at airports.
Fortunately for those of us sitting comfortably at home, we get to see those moments captured on camera and laugh. From unexpected traveling animals to questionable behavior these photos are sure to make your day!
Layover Laughs
Sometimes layovers can be very tricky: too short to leave the airport, but too long to simply sit and wait.
This annoying scenario usually leads to the sad conclusion that you’ll be sleeping in the airport on the uncomfortable seats that don’t allow you to lay down. Luckily, this lady was thin enough to lay under the armrests. Her diet was worth it for this moment.
Kids, Kids, Kids…
Traveling can be nerve-wracking, and traveling with a couple of kids is extra stressful. You already have the anxiety of making it to the gate on time, but you also have to make sure the little tykes don’t wander off and accidentally board a plane headed to Malawi.
This parent thought she could keep her kids on a leash, literally. Turns out they were not as domesticated as she thought. Looks like she needs some biscuits and a ball to keep these rascals busy.
Not The Usual Customers
Every day, these shoe shiners use polish and some elbow grease to give their clients’ leather shoes a glinting, burnished look. Usually, they cater to the business-class crowd: those with pressed suits and briefcases who can’t stop reading emails on their phones.
This time, however, the ladies took care of folks in town for Comic-Con in San Diego. The pair were dressed as versions of Iron Man, and their whole body armor, not just the shoes, needed shining badly. Hopefully, they tipped extra.
The Imperial March
These Star Wars uber fans got together in Denver for a meet-up just before the release of The Force Awakens. As a fun gag, some dressed up as stormtroopers, who held up a sign meant to catch the attention of their leader.
When Darth Vader came out, they played the “Imperial March” on their phones and celebrated the reunion loudly, to the delight of the other folks in the terminal. Darth probably drove whoever he was sitting next to on the plane crazy with his loud breathing.
Shuffle Your Cards
This Italian airport allegedly has very tight security, but one passenger who passed through security noticed that their officers might not be as vigilant as they should be. Upon closer inspection, the passport-checking software was open behind a game of solitaire.
This is not a good sign for Italy, but somehow they have been spared from the terror attacks that have been plaguing Europe recently. Whatever they are doing is working, so it’s best to let them shuffle the cards, and play another game.
Run, Forrest! Run
Traveling is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to see. This man at the Nashville International Airport was dressed exactly like Forrest Gump, complete with the haircut and Nike running shoes.
It is unclear where this fellow was heading, but perhaps he had a ticket for Alabama and was heading to see his mama or perhaps his Jenny. The good news is, if he is late and rushing to his gate, we all know to yell, “run, Forrest! Run!”
Best Nap Ever
Traveling with a child can be a handful. They need to be fed, entertained, and given time to rest when needed.
When this little girl’s parents chose their itinerary, they did not realize that having two layovers would be so taxing on her. She was unable to go on, but they had to make it to the gate to make it to dad’s conference on time. So in a brilliant moment of improvisation, the girl slept on a rolling bag, and her dad wheelbarrowed her around the airport.
The Rock Of Gibraltar
The symbolic beauty of the Rock Of Gibraltar can be reached by landing at the international airport nearby. Whoever designed this airport must have barely passed his or her civil engineering courses.
In a huge blunder, the runway has an intersection with Winston Churchill Avenue, a major street where cars can pass! The setup is incredibly dangerous and inefficient for both the motorist and the pilot. If you are thinking about going, it’s probably best to consider taking a boat from Spain or Morocco instead.
No Battery, No Problem
Not having enough battery on your phone can be the difference between waiting at the airport bored out of your mind, or being totally occupied, watching a movie, and texting friends.
That’s why airports like Newark Liberty International provide charging stations to make sure all passengers have enough juice for their phones. However, this particular charger only worked if you fed it quarters. One passenger who was not willing to pay found a simple hack: just plug it into the same socket as the machine!
Pushing Through Hardships
These Sri Lankan-American graduate students planned to travel back to see their families, but had the bad fortune to only have vacation during the typhoon season. So even though it was clear skies in Minnesota, their flights were grounded for days.
With nowhere to go, they eventually decided to set up camp and wait for clear skies. Suddenly they understood the value and relative softness of a cardboard box as opposed to the ground. When they finally made it home, they appreciated their beds more than ever.
The Stunts Of A Lifetime
When these guys started learning gymnastics, everyone laughed at them for wearing tights and hanging out with all the girls at the aerobatic gym. But when parkour became popular, they were primed and ready to transition to the sometimes dangerous, always impressive hobby.
When they did stunts, the pair took amazing, gravity-defying pictures and posted them on social media outlets, where they became immensely popular. They really threw it in the faces of those who laughed at them early on.
Living Life To Its Fullest
On the way to LAX, a couple driving over 70 miles per hour on a Kawasaki was seen with a rolling bag driving along on the pavement.
A High-maintenance Person
Maybe the most high-maintenance person to ever fly, he is wearing intense, noise-canceling headphones to block out the constant hum of the engines, a sleep mask to block out any light, and a surgical mask to block any germs.
Hopefully his seat mate wont have to get his attention to use the restroom.
One-Way To Antarctica
Even these adorable penguins were made to walk through airport security.
No discrimination in sight, they were required to act like normal passengers and find their seats. Although, we cannot deny they are absolutely adorable!
Run(a)way Bear
Delays on the runway usually have to do with icy, wet weather, especially when you look at Alaskan airports.
On this particular day, a polar bear wandered in from the ice onto the runway, delaying all flights until authorities could move him safely using tranquilizers.
Passenger Falcons
We’ve all heard of messenger pigeons, but these falcons on a commercial plane took the idea a bit too far. A Saudi Prince traveling from the United Arab Emirates got passports for his falcons (yes, really) which have a three-year validity and allows the falcons to travel between certain Middle Eastern countries.
Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways both allows falcons onboard, but usually with a limit of six. This Saudi played the royalty card and was able to bring a whopping 80.
Too Specific
This Toronto family decided to prank the woman of the house by offering her a welcome home that she’d never forget. The trio awaited her arrival from Rotterdam anxiously.
When mom finally came through customs, they cheered, and her smile turned to a blush when she saw her daughter revealing the “from prison” sign. Since she was jet-lagged and absolutely mortified, mom walked away from them, pretending not to know her own family. Now, she looks back on the prank and laughs.
Place All Cuddly Objects In A Bin
Traveling with a baby is hard work, because not only do you have to make sure they’re wearing clean diapers and fed, you have to fend off the annoyance of other passengers on the plane when the rugrat cries.
The other big obstacle is security. This lady absentmindedly placed her baby in a bin for inspection. The TSA is at the center of many air travel horror stories, but even they would not put this tot through the X-ray machine (hopefully).
It’s Personal
This man has traveled many times in his life and has had the bad luck of losing his luggage multiple times. Airlines have sent his bags to the wrong city on multiple occasions, and once his bag was even stolen from the claims area.
To make sure this never happened to him again, he decided to get his face printed directly on a hard-shell rolling bag with his most important items, so there could be no confusion about who owned it.
Traveling Light
Seattle is known for its large hipster population, and it shows even at the airport as two separate people were spotted within weeks of each other casting aside laptops for its predecessor, the typewriter.
The bulky alternative is not easy to travel with and probably caused a nightmare at airport security. Plus, all the clicking and clacking causes a disturbance to other passengers, who are stuck with the annoying noise for hours upon hours in the cabin. Next time, just bring a laptop like a normal person.
Choking Up
When ‘Mokie’ went on his first business trip for work, he knew he could rely on his old college roommates to pick him up, but he never expected this sort of welcome.
When he stepped off the plane to his friends holding signs that brought back an embarrassing memory of him choking on a mozzarella stick at their favorite bar, that happened to be captured in a perfectly-timed picture. Luckily for Mokie, he was not traveling with his boss on this trip.
What A Welcome
This guy was always a prankster both in everyday life and in his relationships. When his wife went away on a business trip, he decided to pick her up dressed as a limo driver looking for a “Smokin Hot Italian Chick.”
Even though she came to the arrivals hall with her co-workers, and was a bit embarrassed by her husband’s stunt, he was able to use his natural charisma to make the stunt lighthearted and fun for everyone.
Nunderneath The Robes
The TSA sometimes chooses the most unlikely people to search extra thoroughly. This nun was checked for weapons underneath her robes, which seems ridiculous, as the only weapon this sister might have is a ruler.
However, the TSA must check, because bad agents may try and dress innocently to pass security at a lower level of stringency. She got through no problem, as all she had with her was her simple dress and some books- the New Testament, and a diary of a famous nun from the 1600s.
Make Yourself At Home
After a flight cancellation, hundreds of passengers are thrown into disarray. A mob of angry customers usually head to the service desk and make a scene, and kick up dust.
Finally, everyone begrudgingly gets into a line, and it takes forever to sort everyone as final destinations vary from person to person. This fellow decided to make himself at home and stretch out on the ground, using a backpack as a pillow, to wait until the crowd died down before getting his ticket re-booked.
The Grinch Of The Airport
Some things you cannot bring on airplanes are no-brainers. Firearms, knives, gas canisters, and anything that would be a risk to the passengers or cabin pressure are banned. Airlines do sometimes have strange restrictions.
The TSA acted like the Grinch when they banned snowglobes, as they have water that might be switched out with a clear explosive liquid. The Bangkok airport banned flying with Durians, a fruit native to Thailand and Malaysia, as they smell bad and can make passengers dizzy.
A Little Icy
It seems a little icy out there or maybe the pilot had a few too many iced beverages before flying.
Either way, it makes for a nasty clean up out there.
Delayed Maturity
These days, millennials are becoming less and less mature. They are likely to move back in with their parents for an extended period of time after going to college.
The babying of this new generation took new heights when this twenty-something greeted his parents at the airport with a tongue-in-cheek sign showing his helplessness. The penguin-themed onesie pajama look added to the sophomoric vibe. Hopefully, for his and his parents’ sake, this was all one big joke.
Checked In
Sometimes traveling with your teenage daughter can be tough – moodiness and attitude enhanced by the groggy lack of sleep, uncomfortable seats, and tasteless airplane food.
Your only hope is the movie on the plane is something she is interested in. Otherwise, good luck. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just check her in with your suitcase, and pick her up at luggage claim? It looks like someone did. This picture is only a tease, though – it’s a teenage girl participating in the 2010 “planking” craze.