NEED TO KNOW
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CNN spotlighted British travel journalist Huw Oliver for coming up with the idea of an “airport divorce” in a Nov. 8 article
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Live with Kelly and Mark hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos recently got into an on-air spat while discussing the idea of tryin an “airport divorce” for themselves
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The term refers to couples going their separate ways after they get through airport security so they can do whatever pre-flight rituals give them peace of mind
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According to Oliver, the concept did wonders for him and his fiancee and could be the key for other couples who want to have a smooth travel experience with their partners
While couples who love to travel together are considered lucky by many, parting ways at the airport could be their secret to a peaceful vacation.
Earlier in November, CNN spotlighted British travel journalist Huw Oliver for coming up with the phrase “airport divorce.” To explain the concept, Oliver detailed how he and his fiancee split up ahead of their flight to do their own airport rituals that give them peace of mind — whether that’s having a beer and keeping an eye on the departures board or browsing all of the duty free options.
In Oliver’s original article published in The Times, the London-based columnist said his airport routine was so “vastly different” from his fiancee, that the “optimal outcome” for both of them was to do their own thing and reconvene later on the plane.
Getting an “airport divorce” certainly resonated with Live with Kelly and Mark hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. The married cohosts discussed the idea of trying out the concept on their next trip, which sparked a little playful on-air spat between the two.
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Stock photo of a man and woman shaking hands at an airport
“Couples are doing something unique and I want to run this by you,” Ripa, 55, said during the Oct. 22 episode. “I think we could do well with this: an airport divorce. [Because] you and I have different traveling philosophies, different traveling styles.”
Consuelos, 54, immediately questioned his wife’s suggestion. “What do you mean? Like, I walk fast in the airport?” he asked, to which Ripa responded, “You need to get there before 4 to 16 hours before a flight takes off.”
After Consuelos insisted “that’s not true” and clarified that he only likes to arrive about 90 minutes early, his wife then stirred the pot even more by recalling a recent airport incident when Consuelos’ TSA PreCheck had temporarily lapsed.
She ended up sacrificing her usual fast-track line to wait with him, but things didn’t go smoothly, she remembered.
“The line was too slow and he got irritated with me!” Ripa told the audience. “And I said, ‘No no no, this isn’t the part where you’re irritated with me because the line is too long. This is the part where you say, ‘Thank you honey, I’m sorry that I’m making you wait in this line.’”
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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’
Her husband then said his perspective of what happened was “so different,” but Ripa did not back down.
“My line was straight ahead, where the people sailed through because they still had their TSA [PreCheck] privileges,” she said. “But now I’m with Mark, so my shoes are coming off and everything’s being taken out of my bag. I am being violated in this line — and Mark is still irritated with me!”
“The airport divorce is what we are definitely getting,” she joked.
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PEOPLE previously spoke to travel advisor Nicole Campoy Jackson of Fora Travel to weigh in on the divisive question of whether it’s okay to ditch your companion at airport security to enjoy the benefits of TSA PreCheck.
According to Jackson, ditching your travel partner or group to use the PreCheck line really boils down to “know your audience.”
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Stock photo of couple arguing in an airport
“If you’re traveling for work and one or some of you have PreCheck and the others don’t, go for it. No need to wait in line unnecessarily,” she explained. On the opposite end, “If you’re a couple on your honeymoon, it’s maybe not the best start to things to leave your beloved behind at security.”
However, there are some situations where it’s acceptable to “push back” if your travel partner is “entirely capable” of going through the line on their own.
She also added that if you’re the one traveling without PreCheck, you need to “know yourself” and speak up about being an anxious traveler who would prefer companionship during the sometimes stressful security process if that’s the case.
Read the original article on People