5 Travel Rules That Apply to Life (Especially When Things Go Sideways)

I’m writing this from 30,000 feet in the middle seat of a Southwest flight from BWI to San Diego.

There weren’t many options, and I needed to get home. But I’ll be honest: I’m a Delta girl through and through. Even when things don’t go to plan, their experience still feels more thoughtful, more human. And lately? That’s rare.

The chaos of boarding. The surprise fees. The overall “Lord of the Flies but with overhead bins” vibe? It reminded me of something bigger:

People are forgetting how to act.

Not just in travel. Everywhere.

I say this knowing that it wa just a few years ago that I wouldn't change seats with a family that wanted me to move to coach so they could bring their teen to first class....🤯

The Rise of Everyday Incivility

In the past few years, something’s shifted. Maybe it’s the stress of the pandemic. Maybe it’s burnout. Maybe it’s the slow erosion of empathy from too much screen time and not enough real connection.

But the data backs it up:

• Air Travel: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported over 2,100 unruly passenger incidents in 2024, a slight increase from 2023. While this is a decrease from the peak in 2021, the numbers remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels .

• Workplace Behavior: According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 66% of U.S. employees have experienced or witnessed incivility at work. These moments of disrespect don’t stay isolated—they ripple through organizations, affecting morale and productivity .

• Employee Well-being: A 2023 Gallup survey revealed that only 32% of U.S. employees feel engaged at work, with burnout hitting record levels. The American Institute of Stress reports that 83% of workers deal with work-related stress, costing U.S. employers nearly $300 billion annually due to absenteeism, turnover, and lost productivity .

In other words, we’re not just tired—we’re taking it out on each other.

And yet, when I was traveling 225+ days a year, the thing that made the biggest difference wasn’t the airline lounge or elite status—it was remembering how to be human.

Here Are My 5 Rules of Travel That Double as Rules for Life:

1.Stop Blaming People Who Don’t Have Control

The gate agent didn’t break the plane. The front desk staff didn’t cancel your reservation. The intern didn’t make the executive decision.

Blame travels fastest to the people with the least power. But leadership—and maturity—is knowing how to express frustration without misplacing it.

2.Assume Sh*t Will Happen—and Adjust Accordingly

There is no perfect plan. There is only your ability to respond to what actually happens.

The most adaptable people (and businesses) win. Why? Because they don’t burn energy on “shoulds”—they focus on “what now?”

3.Even If It’s Warranted, Don’t Take It Out on People

You’re allowed to be frustrated. But unloading it onto another human being doesn’t fix the issue—it spreads it.

Emotional regulation is a leadership skill. Use it in airports. Use it in meetings. Use it when the project’s late and the client’s upset.

4. You Catch More Flies with Sugar Than by Vinegar

Being kind isn’t just nice—it’s strategic.

I’ve been rebooked, upgraded, and helped behind the scenes more times than I can count simply because I was kind to the right person.

Civility isn’t weakness. It’s influence.

As workplace civility expert Catherine Mattice notes, “Civility is about treating people with respect, regardless of whether they deserve it in that moment” .

5. If You Want Predictability, Stay Home

Travel, like life, is unpredictable. If you can’t tolerate change or discomfort, don’t leave your zip code—or your bubble.

Growth happens in turbulence. That’s not just a metaphor. It’s a law of leadership.

the takeaway?

You’re not always in control. But you’re always responsible for how you show up.

So whether you’re stuck on the tarmac or stuck in a team meeting that’s going sideways—take a beat. Ask yourself:

Am I contributing to the chaos or calming it?

Because the world doesn’t need more monsters on planes. It needs more grounded humans.