Motivation of people who say they will never ever fly?

[CaliKid]

At this point we are doing about one flight a week so I don't even think about it. People that don't want to fly good for them. I am envious. It sounds nice and simple! To each their own!

 

[CO-guy]

Non of the places you mentioned are high stress environments. By the time people get onto the plane, they're at a 7 in terms of stress on a scale to 10. The slightest thing will freak people out at that point.

People are never on time, but at an airport, you will be left behind if you aren't on time. Dragging luggage around, getting through security. Heck, people get stressed waiting to line up to board a plane. They usually call you by groups, yet everyone will gather around even though their several groups away from being summoned.

These are first world problems and people probably shouldn't let things like this bother them, but that's just the reality of the situation.

I'm not much more stressed at an airport than I am at the mall, but that's because I do my best to mitigate those issues you mentioned.

• I show up on time and, frankly, I have little sympathy for people that are habitually late.
• I don't drag any kind of luggage around. Not checked. Not roll aboard. None.
• I have TSAPreCheck which, for under $20/year makes security a breeze.
• I am usually one of the last people on the plane. Why spend any more time on there than necessary?

For the most part when traveling, busses, trains, and planes are on time. People that are not on time get left behind. Also, not everyone gathers around the gate at boarding. Many of us are sitting comfortably nearby wondering why some folks are scrambling to spend even more time in an uncomfortable environment.

 

[Flyfish1]

Ok - we are probably a little spoiled. But, as far as dragging luggage around it's not a thing that is bothersome. Modern luggage rolls very nicely Car service drops you at the door and you have to roll your luggage to the check in for business class - that's it. When we arrive we may have to roll our luggage from baggage claim to the sidewalk and another car service takes it from there. Hotels - not an issue bellhop takes care of it. Really a non issue.

Interestingly we were just in Japan and the Japanese all stayed in their seats until their boarding group was called. Very proper and respectful. The tourists of course were standing by the gate clogging things up.
We don't drag rolling carry ons aboard, just some small soft hand luggage that goes under the seat- so we don't have to fight for overhead space and can take our time boarding. Now boarding a Japanese bullet train is different - you better be in line when that thing pulls up- because you only have a minute or less in some cases to get on. They will not wait for you.

 

[Gumby]

I found all of Japan to be orderly, organized, polite and quite aware of the physical space they occupied. They all queue up properly, move expeditiously and take care to minimize their impact on their fellow travelers (such as by shifting their backpacks around to their front when on the crowded train). There was no gate/door rushing, just a calm group of people doing what is necessary to live together in close proximity. I was especially impressed by the way literally everyone stands on the left side of the escalator (right side in Osaka) unless they are actively climbing the stairs.

 

[Sorcerer]

I'm not much more stressed at an airport than I am at the mall, but that's because I do my best to mitigate those issues you mentioned.

• I show up on time and, frankly, I have little sympathy for people that are habitually late.
• I don't drag any kind of luggage around. Not checked. Not roll aboard. None.
• I have TSAPreCheck which, for under $20/year makes security a breeze.
• I am usually one of the last people on the plane. Why spend any more time on there than necessary?

For the most part when traveling, busses, trains, and planes are on time. People that are not on time get left behind. Also, not everyone gathers around the gate at boarding. Many of us are sitting comfortably nearby wondering why some folks are scrambling to spend even more time in an uncomfortable environment.

You just listed things that apply to you. I'm just laying out reasons why the gen pop are stressed to fly. No reason to overthink it. Good luck to you.

 

[Contrarian]

Am sure someone must have already said, but I imagine the main motivation of those who do not fly is not falling to their death.
Edit-am aware may be other reasons too...

 

[Aerides]

I found all of Japan to be orderly, organized, polite and quite aware of the physical space they occupied. They all queue up properly, move expeditiously and take care to minimize their impact on their fellow travelers (such as by shifting their backpacks around to their front when on the crowded train). There was no gate/door rushing, just a calm group of people doing what is necessary to live together in close proximity. I was especially impressed by the way literally everyone stands on the left side of the escalator (right side in Osaka) unless they are actively climbing the stairs.

And they actually stand at the sides of open doors on trains, elevators, anticipating that others will want to get off before they get on.

Unlike that experience in the US where you practically have to push to get off before they try to get on.

 

[Masquernom]

My sister is terrified of flying. Of course, she wouldn't use the cruise control on her suv either. She said it might get stuck and she couldn't stop.

 

[CO-guy]

You just listed things that apply to you. I'm just laying out reasons why the gen pop are stressed to fly. No reason to overthink it. Good luck to you.

It's not that those things apply to me. While I accept the fact that a large proportion of air travelers are nincompoops, showing up late, not planning ahead and being impatient at boarding are all choices people make.

Am sure someone must have already said, but I imagine the main motivation of those who do not fly is not falling to their death.

There's a plurality of reasons given, but most common are medical reasons and folks where the costs and inconveniences of air travel over time now outweigh the benefits of any future destinations.

 

[marko]

Am sure someone must have already said, but I imagine the main motivation of those who do not fly is not falling to their death.

My sister is terrified of flying. Of course, she wouldn't use the cruise control on her suv either. She said it might get stuck and she couldn't stop.

I think its best for people like this to stay nearer to home. Safer for everybody.

 

[oldphd]

We were flying in New Zealand, and had asked for the non-smoking section on our flight. When we got on the plane, we discovered that the 2 seats on the left hand side on the plane were non-smoking , while the 2 seats on the right side were smoking, so the non-smokers just sat across the aisle from the smokers.....LOL!

per jcfradio...

Hmmm... sorry for the messed up quote, not sure why it didn't come in right... my reply below...

+1 to that experience... only for me it was SAS in Sweden, mid 80s, maybe 86 or 87, don't remember exactly. At the time I thought about how ridiculous, I'm in an aisle seat, the guy on the other side of the aisle is smoking with his cigarette in the hand hanging in the aisle, I'm sitting right next to him!!!

 

[Out of Steam]

• I don't drag any kind of luggage around. Not checked. Not roll aboard. None

Do you ship clothes to a hotel at your destination or buy on arrival?

 

[marko]

Do you ship clothes to a hotel at your destination or buy on arrival?

If it's a long-ish stay, we very often ship. Sometimes cheaper or only slightly more than the airline charges to check it.

UPS picks it up at the house, the next time we see the luggage, it's waiting for us in our hotel room.

 

[FIYes]

I will say that the lack of smoking is the one big improvement in flying compared to the old days. The ever more cramped seats coupled with the ever increasing passenger size is not an improvement. Still I’m glad to be able to fly and visit far flung places. I didn’t have the opportunity to travel much in my younger days and I’m making up for it in retirement.

 

[bonvoyage]

I didn’t have the opportunity to travel much in my younger days and I’m making up for it in retirement.

Much the same here. Both my wife and I worked in demanding fields involving long hours at work Vacation time was precious and we used it as best as we could. Then my parents started ailing and I used all of my vacation time to help look after them. After they passed, it took a long time to wrap up their estate.
We have only started traveling in earnest in the past four years. We are well off now and can afford to travel at the front of the plane and stay in nice hotels. Having Global Entry and TSA Pre also helps a lot.
I am fully aware that the general wisdom is to travel when you're younger. And in fact, I have done my share of shoestring budget travel in Europe and Southeast Asia in the 1980s (when I was in my 20s). But to be honest, I think I actually prefer traveling in luxury now in my 60s.

 

[CO-guy]

Do you ship clothes to a hotel at your destination or buy on arrival?

Clothing is the main thing in my personal item sized bag which weighs around 15lbs and is easily carried without dragging.

However, we do buy bulkier items once we reach our destination. For example, we spent a month in Italy last summer and purchased a pair of beach towels, a beach blanket and a beach umbrella. The total was under $50 and we donated the items after we were done with them.

 

[G-Money]

I loathe flying, but don't necessarily fear it. Even a first class seat (like you'd find on a 737) isn't that comfortable for someone my height.

I loathe the security theater. The safety theater. I loathe the general public doing general public things in airports. And being trapped in an aluminum tube next to those people I wouldn't otherwise really care to be around, with the exception of any family or friends I'm flying with. It's just not my schtick. If it's ~18 hours or less by car I'd rather drive. But, I do have to fly for work sometimes, and I will opt to fly for vacations sometimes, is what it is. But, IMO, flying really sucks and there's huge room for improvement.

 

[audreyh1]

I am fully aware that the general wisdom is to travel when you're younger. And in fact, I have done my share of shoestring budget travel in Europe and Southeast Asia in the 1980s (when I was in my 20s). But to be honest, I think I actually prefer traveling in luxury now in my 60s.

Hear, hear!

 

[Chuckanut]

I did some descent travel into my 50s. I was still able to sacrifice some comfort to save a few dollars. As I have aged, while everything still works, I don’t feel the need to sacrifice being comfortable to save a few dollars. I especially like a well located hotel, and a somewhat bigger and better equipped room. I don’t need the royal suite. But, I am done with rooms that don’t have a comfortable couch or chairs to sit on. I also like a table to spread my tourist maps on when I call an audible due to the weather or strikes or whatever forces a change of plans.

 

[bonvoyage]

I know we have people at both ends of the spectrum in this forum when it comes to flying. As I've mentioned previously, I still enjoy flying. I have tracked the flights I have taken over the years in a web app called my.flightradar24.com . I thought you some of you might find this interesting since 2025 was a jackpot year for travel for me with two trips to Asia and one to Europe as well as a lot of domestic US travel.

 

[CO-guy]

I did some descent travel into my 50s. I was still able to sacrifice some comfort to save a few dollars. As I have aged, while everything still works, I don’t feel the need to sacrifice being comfortable to save a few dollars. I especially like a well located hotel, and a somewhat bigger and better equipped room. I don’t need the royal suite. But, I am done with rooms that don’t have a comfortable couch or chairs to sit on. I also like a table to spread my tourist maps on when I call an audible due to the weather or strikes or whatever forces a change of plans.

I agree completely. There are many factors that go into finding accommodations, but we prioritize location and comfort over cost.

Since becoming FI we have visited many places we individually visited back in our 20s when we were staying in hostels on a shoestring budget. For example, on a recent trip to Rome we skipped all the main tourist sites since we'd seen them decades ago. Instead, we stayed in a gorgeous flat a block from Villa Borghese and focused our visit on, taking strolls, eating at local cafes and enjoying upscale restaurants in the area. It was a totally different experience for both of us.