Featured Image Credit: Getty stock photo
Topics: Social Media, TikTok, Travel, Viral
Joshua Nair
Travelling can be a massive headache, making sure you've packed everything, remembering passports, getting through security or, you know, just getting there in time for your flight.
But what if I were to tell you that there was a new social media trend that puts that last point at even greater risk?
We've all been running late for a flight before, but even then you'll probably get to the airport an hour or so before your actual departure.
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However, the act of turning up just before jetting off is being pushed even further with a new viral trend that has been dubbed the 'airport theory'.
Putting your anxiety to the test, the crux of it is that you aim to arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before your gate closes to see if you can clear security and make it onboard with no hassle, saving time that would usually be spent loitering around the airport.
The trend has caught on, garnering upwards of 400 million views on the app, and apparently, a lot of missed flights.
Who would have thought?
It should be noted that people aren't religiously sticking to the 15-minute rule, instead just getting to the airport as late as possible.
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User @danaa.rain tried it out, posting a clip and explaining: "I got here at 10:32, my plane boards 11:15, got through security, got some McDonald's and now I'm literally chilling at my gate,
"This is why I will never get to the airport early," she claimed.
But as expected, the overwhelming majority of people in the comments didn't agree with her comments.
One user wrote: "Lmaooooo. As a frequent traveler because of my job, yall will learn very quickly!"
Another commented: "You’ll learn the hard way soon."
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A third stated: "Don’t try that when flying international," while a different user pointed out: "Haha just remember the flight can leave early and the gate can change."
Obviously, not everyone has been successful, with some other users not making their flights in time in their attempts to test the airport theory.
So, what's the takeaway from all of this?
Well, you could try and show up as close to your flight departure time as possible - but really, you shouldn't.
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Unless you want to risk losing the value of your flight ticket, of course.
Who wants travel anxiety in the first place?