For many Brits, the holiday feeling is shattered before they even reach the departure lounge, all thanks to a single, infuriating habit known as 'belt bumping'. This trend, which involves passengers failing to return their airport security trays, is turning pre-flight stress into outright annoyance.
What Exactly is Belt Bumping?
Coined by Metro, the term 'belt bumping' describes the act of abandoning a security tray after collecting belongings. Offenders either leave it on the unloading table or, worse, on the moving conveyor belt itself, forcing others to deal with it. It's a breach of unspoken travel etiquette that instantly sours the mood.
'I always start the holiday being slightly pissed off,' admits Amelia Jackson, 26. 'Luckily the airport pint comes shortly after.' For travellers like Amelia, the successful getaway begins at security, not on the beach.
Why Do Passengers Find It So Maddening?
The consensus among frequent flyers is clear: belt bumping is a sign of sheer disrespect. Fleurine Tideman, 29, compares it to not returning a shopping trolley, calling it a 'societal rule' that reveals character.
Blaise Kelly, 26, agrees, stating it's 'horrible etiquette and disrespectful to the queue and people working at the airport.' Some have taken direct action. Charlotte Howard, 26, now passive-aggressively returns trays herself, offering a sympathetic smile to overworked security staff.
This frustration has spilled onto social media. On TikTok, user @currentdowns posted about starting a 'shift' at security due to others' mess. In the comments, a former security worker named Kav expressed gratitude: 'We actually love people like you.'
Is It Always Bad Etiquette? An Expert Weighs In
However, Laura Windsor, a manners expert dubbed the 'Queen of Etiquette', offers a nuanced view. She argues that while returning your tray is common courtesy, it isn't always a passenger's responsibility.
'Many passengers are travelling with young children, elderly relatives, or have mobility issues,' Laura tells Metro. For those who are able, grabbing a few extra trays can smooth the process, but 'it isn't compulsory'. She concludes that airport staff should ultimately manage the flow, and helping out is a courtesy, not an obligation.
Despite this leniency, the habit is exacerbated by known hygiene concerns. A 2016 study by the University of Nottingham and the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare found traces of the common cold virus on airport trays. Yet, as manners decline, the trays – and the irritation – remain.
For Amelia Jackson, the act is a 'massive red flag', especially when trays are left on the belt, clogging the system. As Brits jet off in search of winter sun, the battle for basic consideration at security looks set to continue.
