LA woman gets confused seeing a long line at LAX airport and asks a lady about it. Her response left her too stunned to speak: ‘No sh-t’
I would’ve snapped.
Airports are notoriously high-tension environments, even for frequent fliers. But one traveler’s LAX airport experience with a lady left her questioning people’s audacity and common sense.
Los Angeles creator Erica Jones’s (TikTok/@erica_joness) recent morning trip to LAX turned into a lesson in sarcasm and literalism. While navigating a massive, disorganized crowd, Erica encountered a long line. But the fellow traveler she looked to for help was more interested in winning a verbal spar.
A line at the LAX airport spanning four different gates confused Erica
Erica arrived at LAX to find a “super, super long line” that stretched across four different departure gates. Because the crowd was so sprawling, it was impossible to discern which specific flight or gate the line belonged to. Seeking clarity, Erica approached a group and asked a simple, reasonable question: “Oh, what are you guys in line for?”
But instead of a flight destination, Erica was met with a look like she had “two heads.” A lady in the group snapped back, “To board a plane.” And Erica immediately thought, “WHY ELSE WOULD YOU BE AT THE AIRPORT?!”
Erica kept her calm despite the absurd answer
Despite the “no sh-t” obviousness of the answer, Erica kept her cool. She clarified that she was, of course, asking about the destination. “Obviously I meant which flight,” she recalled saying, trying to maintain a “nice and calm” demeanor. However, she admitted being left too stunned to speak.
The woman eventually revealed they were waiting for a flight to Las Vegas. But the damage to the social vibe was already done. She noted the absurdity of the interaction, especially since another person approached her just three minutes later to ask the exact same question.
For Erica, the incident was a reminder of the “nerve” some people have to treat others like they are “crazy.” Even though she was seeking basic information in a chaotic public space.
Airport fatigue can lead people to be hostile
Travelers at high-volume hubs like LAX often experience “cognitive tunneling.” The stress of navigating security and timing sometimes lead to a defensive social posture. In this state, people may resort to literal or sarcastic responses as a way to process their own frustration.
However, as Erica’s experience shows, this behavior ignores the collaborative reality of airport logistics. When lines span multiple gates, people often seek verbal confirmation to avoid making a mistake. Treating a peer with hostility only increases the collective anxiety of the terminal.
How to navigate airport crowd confusion?
If you find yourself lost in a line at an airport, you might need to interact with others for clarity. But you can still avoid the sarcasm. Instead of asking “What is this line for?”, try asking “Is this the line for the Vegas flight at Gate B4?” Specificity often reduces the chance of a sarcastic response.
If the crowd is aggressive, bypass fellow passengers and look for an airline representative or “Gate Agent.” They are trained to manage the four-gate sprawl Erica described. You can also check the overhead flight information displays (FIDs) before joining a mystery line. If the line doesn’t align with the flight currently boarding on the screen, it’s a red flag.
And like Erica, if you encounter a “literal” traveler, don’t escalate. A calm “I meant the destination” and a quick exit to another group is the best way to preserve your peace.
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