Ah, air travel. The thrill of soaring through the skies, the excitement of new destinations, and the utter horror of the six worst things about flying.

First up, we have the dreaded security line. Nothing gets your trip off to a more stressful start than a line that snakes on for miles and miles. You watch as each person in front of you slowly unpacks their life’s belongings, removes their shoes and belts, and begins the never-ending process of stuffing everything back into their bags. And let’s not forget about that one guy who always tries to bring a full-sized bottle of shampoo through security. Good luck with that one, mate.

But the agony doesn’t end there. Once you’ve finally made it through security, it’s time to board the plane. And if you’re like me, that means getting to know the backsides of everyone else in line as they slow down the boarding process by trying to cram their oversized bags into the overhead compartment. Sorry, Karen, but that Louis Vuitton luggage has got to go. You’re holding up the line!

Now that you’ve finally made it to your seat, it’s time for the next worst thing about flying: the inevitable crying baby. You’ve got your noise-cancelling headphones and a good book, but there’s just no escaping the ear-piercing wails of a little kid who’s not a fan of altitude (on that perhaps we can agree).

But wait, there’s more! Have you ever been stuck in the middle seat? (course you have) If so, you know that it’s basically the equivalent of sitting in the pits of hell. You’re squished between two strangers, trying to keep your elbows in and your feet out of their personal space. And forget about using the armrests. Those are already spoken for by the two rugby players on either side of you who seem to be having a grand old time while you suffer in silence.

Speaking of suffering, let’s not forget about the in-flight meal. Or lack thereof. These days, you’re lucky to get a tiny bag of pretzels and a cup of water that’s smaller than your toddler’s sippy cup. And don’t even think about asking for a second bag of pretzels. You might as well be asking for a unicorn riding a rainbow.

Last but not least, we have the dreaded turbulence. You’re finally settling in for a nap or a movie, when suddenly the plane starts to bounce and sway like a drunk on a mechanical bull. Your heart races as you grip the armrests and wonder if this is it. Is this the end? Will you finally get to meet your maker in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?

So there you have it. The six worst things about flying. But hey, look on the bright side. At least you’re not on a Greyhound bus..