By Sarah Nicastro, Creator, Future of Field Service

I’ve had it on my mind to speak on this topic for quite a while, but coincidentally am writing this on a flight home after a hellish day of travel turned extra night away from my family turned into another day of travel. And sadly, that isn’t an experience that’s unfamiliar to me – or to many of you, I’m sure.

Over the last four or so years, I’ve traveled extensively. I have a handful of horror stories that would rival anyone’s and, if I’m being honest, have had a handful of full-on breakdowns in airports from the exhaustion and desperation to get home to my family. Not that it’s been all bad! I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to see different places and, more importantly, to meet and spend time with people face-to-face.

What I’ve observed over hundreds of flights and plenty in time at airports across the globe is behavior that makes me cringe. It’s interesting to watch how, when a flight is delayed, it’s almost always the most frequent fliers that are throwing fits, huffing and puffing, yelling, and treating airline employees like trash. I’ve witnessed some truly abhorrent behavior from the most experienced travelers.

It's important to remember that your 1K/Platinum Elite/Whatever Top-tier status may provide you with premium perks, but it does not guarantee a smooth experience every time because that simply isn’t possible. You may observe an airport’s inefficiency with keen awareness of how it could be done better, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat TSA employees who are simply doing their jobs poorly.

That family on vacation, with strollers and diaper bags that’s holding up the security line? They are simply trying to enjoy their lives; not make yours more challenging. The person who hasn’t flowed but once or maybe not at all who has 100 questions? They paid a ticket price to get the same place you’re going. The flight attendant who is required to follow specific guidelines to keep all passengers safe, when things go smoothly and particularly when they don’t, are doing a very hard job. The individual rushing from the back of the airplane to deboard before their row’s turn may be desperate to make their connection.

My plea is this: let’s try our very best, even in the situations that make you want to cry or scream, to see the human in everyone we encounter. Let’s please remember that your tax bracket, your title at work, your airline status do not make you any better than anyone else. Let’s remember how far a little kindness can go, and let’s try to be a pinch more patient, understanding, polite, and empathetic.

I understand the grind, deeply. I really do. At times it can be incredibly challenging to maintain composure. But the privileged, entitled behavior I’ve seen far too many business travelers exhibit is truly unacceptable, regardless of how frustrating a certain situation may be. So next time you find yourself in a circumstance that makes you want to roll your eyes or make a rude comment, I hope you’ll think twice and remember that it really won’t make things any better – it just makes you look like a jerk to everyone around you.