Remember when flying was glamorous? When airlines like TWA and PSA offered generous legroom and complimentary everything? Those days are long gone, replaced by what can only be described as a human endurance test designed to push the limits of our collective patience.

Modern airports have become psychological experiments where common sense goes to die. From TSA lines where people act perpetually surprised by procedures established two decades ago, to passengers who bring steamer trunks as "carry-ons" and seem genuinely shocked when told they won't fit overhead. The bewildering behaviors extend to premature boarding lines, armrest territorial disputes, and the dreaded "recliner bullies" who transform your personal space the moment wheels leave the ground.

My travel philosophy has always been to lead with kindness, especially toward airline staff who deal with the worst of humanity daily. This approach has consistently proven more effective than my husband's "I deserve" attitude that comes from millions of miles flown. When a flight attendant once spilled an entire bottle of red wine down my white shirt, I laughed it off while a passenger who received merely a splash launched into a tirade. Sometimes being the voice of reason in these situations is necessary—your vacation status doesn't grant you royal treatment.

The "loud American" stereotype exists for a reason, and it's cringeworthy to witness fellow countrymen demanding Starbucks in Rome rather than embracing local customs. Instagram travelers who block historical landmarks for the perfect staged shot represent a particularly modern travel phenomenon. My personal rule? I never expect others to pause for my photos, and I don't alter my path for theirs.

How do we maintain sanity while navigating this new travel landscape? Pack your patience alongside your passport, invest in quality noise-canceling headphones, and lower your expectations. Most importantly, remember that you're not the only one trying to get from point A to point B safely. While travel may have lost its golden age glamour, it still fulfills its most fundamental purpose: getting us out of our zip codes and showing us new perspectives. Share your worst travel experiences with me at [email protected]—because sometimes laughing about it is the best therapy of all.