Last year I posted about being a travel snob and admitted to a few violations myself. A year later I have to admit that I might be a travel snob, especially after reading this post over at View From The Wing. Below is the video, and it makes the point better than the article, sorry Gary.

Recently I was traveling with someone that had no, and I mean no status. When we approached security I went to the TSA pre-check lane, and they went to their noticeably longer lane. They didn’t realize that if you have TSA pre-check (me) you can’t suddenly decide to go through the Non-TSA pre-check lane (them). Insensitively I explained it this way, “No one with TSA Pre, yes we call it that, goes through the long line”. On this day I was wearing my asshat shoes. It seems that when I put these on I inadvertently piss everyone off when I speak.

This exchange made me think about the new term “Mansplain“. If you’re not familiar with the term, see below.

man·splain – manˈsplān – verbinformal –

gerund or present participle: mansplaining
(of a man) explain (something) to someone, typically a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing.
“I’m listening to a guy mansplain economics to his wife“

In case you didn’t know condescending is when you talk down to someone. See what I did there.

I propose a new term, “Travelsplain“. Travelsplain, when a traveler explains travel to a non-traveler in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing.

Scenario – Passengers, especially non-travelers, crowding the boarding area waiting for their zone to be called.

Travelsplaining comments that you might hear – “It doesn’t matter when we board, we all get there at the same time” – “Most credit cards offer priority boarding if you qualify for it”

Scenario – A non-traveler breaking out a smartphone to call in order to book, change or cancel a hotel, rental car or flight reservation.

Travelsplaining comments that you might hear  – “There’s an app for that” – “I can’t believe that you’re going to try and talk to an actual human”

Scenario  – A non-traveler arrives at the gate with more carry-on bags than the Duggar’s have children.

Travelsplaining comments that you might hear – “Thank God I have priority boarding” – “Does this clown think he’ll be carrying all those on?”

Scenario – A non-traveler is seen boarding a SuperShuttle. The SuperShuttle provides rides to and from the airport.

 Travelsplaining comments that you might hear – “One of those rubes will be the last one dropped off after an eight hotel run”  – “Apparently someone’s never heard of Uber“

All joking aside, roadwarriors try to help, but often we lack the tact needed to effectively communicate our suggestions.

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