The Golden Age of Travel: A Civility Campaign or Just More BS from the DOT?

Alright, let’s talk about Thanksgiving travel. Because what’s more American than cramming 2.5 million of us through the human meat grinder that is LAX in a week and a half? It’s already started, folks. LAX braces for 2.5 million Thanksgiving travelers as holiday rush gets underway - KTLA November 20th to December 1st, 2025 – a record-setting crush, they say. And if you’re thinking, “Gee, Nate, that sounds like a blast!” then you, my friend, are either a masochist or you ain’t ever flown outta Los Angeles for the holidays.

I saw the footage. People running to the terminals. Not jogging, running. Drivers just ditching their rides in the horseshoe because the gridlock was so bad they figured a brisk walk with their carry-ons was faster than sitting in what looked like a parking lot designed by a sadist. Abandoned cars, folks. That’s where we are. And Sunday, November 30th? They’re projecting over 230,000 souls trying to escape or return. Good luck with that. You’ll be paying around $700 for a domestic roundtrip, too. For the privilege of, what, being treated like cattle? Pre-book parking, check flight status, use LAXOrderNow for a discount (oh, thanks, a 20% off a mediocre airport sandwich really fixes the existential dread), pack comfortable shoes because you will be walking your butt off. It's not a suggestion, it's a grim reality. Seriously, wear sneakers. Or maybe a full hazmat suit, who knows what you’ll encounter.

Dress Codes and Delusions: The DOT's "Golden Age" Fantasy

Now, here’s where it gets really good. While we’re all bracing for this absolute nightmare, the U.S. Department of Transportation, bless their hearts, has decided this is the perfect moment to launch a nationwide "civility campaign." U.S. Transportation Department Issues Warning Over "Disrespectful" Clothing In Airports Ahead Of Thanksgiving Travel - TheTravel They’re calling it "The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You." Secretary Sean P. Duffy, with a straight face, announced this genius plan to bring "courtesy and safety back to America's airports." Courtesy. Courtesy! At LAX during Thanksgiving. Are these people living on a different planet?

Their little video features travelers misbehaving – because, offcourse, that's the real problem – and then hits us with questions about respectful conduct. You know, like helping pregnant or elderly people (which, sure, decent human behavior, I’m on board there), but then it pivots to "dressing with respect" and "controlling children." Wait, dressing with respect? American Airlines is telling us to "dress appropriately," no bare feet, no "offensive" clothing. Spirit Airlines, the bastion of luxury and decorum, prohibits "inadequately clothed" passengers. I mean, give me a break. Are we really going to pretend that the reason air travel feels like a cage match is because Brenda from Ohio wore sweatpants?

Let me tell you, this whole "Golden Age" talk? It’s like trying to put a tuxedo on a pig. No, that’s not right. It’s like trying to put a tuxedo on a pig that's already covered in mud and trying to charge you extra for the privilege of smelling the mud. The DOT wants us to pretend it’s the 1950s again, when flights were glamorous, exclusive, and only for the wealthy. Back then, a one-way to London was nearly $4,000 in today’s money. People dressed up because flying was an event. It was like a fancy dinner party, gourmet meals, premium booze, no class separation. As history professor Janet Bednarek wisely pointed out, when airlines give you minimal service – no meals, just a cold pop and pretzels – why the hell would anyone prioritize appearance? You’re smashed like sardines, paying through the nose for a sliver of legroom, and they expect us to show up in our Sunday best? It’s a total bait-and-switch. They stripped away all the amenities, jacked up the prices, and now they’re blaming us for not looking pretty while we endure their misery. Where’s the campaign about airlines treating passengers with respect, huh? Where’s the video about airline staff being helpful, especially to disabled travelers who, by the way, are reporting painful TSA pat-downs and unhelpful staff? My God, the sheer audacity...

The Public Isn't Buying It (Mostly)

And guess what? The public ain’t stupid. Social media is a mixed bag, sure. Some old-school types miss the days of dressing up, shaking their heads at pajamas and sweatpants. But a huge chunk, a huge chunk, is calling out the DOT for this nonsense. They’re asking why public funds are being spent on a "civility campaign" when the real problem is the airlines themselves. The FAA has recorded a 400% increase in in-flight disturbances since 2019, 13,800 unruly passenger reports since 2021. Yeah, people are acting out. But maybe, just maybe, it’s because they’re being treated like cargo, not cherished customers. When airlines reduce services, legroom, and add fees for everything but the air you breathe, you cultivate a certain kind of… resentment. You reap what you sow, American Airlines, Spirit, Delta, United, you name 'em.

I mean, I get it. Nobody wants to deal with a screaming kid or some entitled jerk. But to tie it to clothing? And who decides what's "offensive"? Is it the same people who think a $700 domestic flight for a squished seat and no meal is a "golden age"? This whole thing feels less like a genuine effort to improve travel and more like a corporate deflection. A shiny distraction while they continue to pack us in tighter, charge us more, and then wag their finger at us for not being polite enough about it.

Then again, maybe I'm the crazy one here. Maybe all it takes is a nice suit and a polite smile to make those LAX wait times disappear. Yeah, right.

This Ain't No Golden Age, It's a Gilded Cage