Featured Image Credit: Izabela Habur / Getty
There are so many things that you need to now remember before heading to the airport, and often a priority for most is to remain as comfortable as possible during the process.
Loungewear is the default go-to uniform of experienced travelers who don't let airports and flying phase them, but one former secret service agent has revealed one particular type of footwear that you should never, under any circumstances, wear to the airport, as per UNILAD.
Now I know what you're thinking - the answer is probably boots right? Not only are they bulky and sometimes uncomfortable to have glued to your feet during a long haul plane ride, but they can also typically cause issues with security, and the last thing you'll want to do is have to take them off and on again when you're running late.
However, according to TikTok account texascrimetravelers, it's actually quite the opposite.
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"As a retired US secret service agent, here's one thing I would never do," argues the video. "I would never wear flip flops in an airport."
That might sound shocking to some, especially considering how easy and comfortable flip flops are to just whack on and go about your business, but there's a very good reason behind this strict rule.
He explains that while there's perhaps no easier shoe to take on and off during TSA than flip flops, "if there was ever an emergency that you had to evacuate the airport quickly, or even exit the aircraft quickly, you don't want to be stuck in flip flops when you're trying to hustle."
That's certainly a good point, because if you've ever tried to do some serious running while in flip flops you'll quickly realize it's a near-impossible task.
"One time we were flying back to the United States, and our plane had to make an emergency landing in Brazil," he continues. "Of course the airport wasn't ready for us, so they landed us at this runway on the outskirts of the airport.
"And of course out there there's no jet bridge, so we had to exit the aircraft by its own stairs and walk to the terminal, which seemed about a mile, and we walked across not only the runway but we had to walk between airfields, and the fields were muddy, it was cold, it was rainy, and I just don't think if you had flip flops on you would have been able to make it to the airport."
That's certainly a convincing argument to make, and if you're at all a nervous flyer then this should possibly be one of your main considerations before setting off towards your flight.
The comments appear to have cracked the case and found the sweet spot between comfort and practicality though, offering the humble croc as the perfect flip flop rival.
"Or just wear crocs on sport mode," one user proposes, whereas another writes "crocs ftw."
Waterproof, comfortable, and it won't slip off your feet like a flip flop or even sliders might? We might just have a winner for the airport here.
