What's bugging you? **2025**

[LouisEly]

11 hours ago, nate82 said:

Our newest gen-z hire is heavy into conspiracy theories like simulation theory and birds are not real.  She 100% believes in these conspiracy theories.  What is wrong with gen z?

TikTok

That, and despite growing up attached to cell phones and tablets, they can't figure out how to use the Calendar app on their phone to set reminders.

[CheezWizHed]

16 hours ago, nate82 said:

Our newest gen-z hire is heavy into conspiracy theories like simulation theory and birds are not real.  She 100% believes in these conspiracy theories.  What is wrong with gen z?

Birds aren't real? How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his son???

But on a serious note, I was 19 and in Minsk, Belarus talking politics with other college students (this was 1993 shortly after the communist bloc fell apart).  I mentioned how someone's view was propaganda based from their government.  They responded with "how do you know it isn't propaganda from your government?"

And it occurred to me... why would either government do anything but put out propaganda to make themselves look good?

I don't believe in those two conspiracy theories, but I question anyone that doesn't at least believe in one conspiracy theory....  You have to at least question the events around JFK's assassination.

[greeg35]

On 4/22/2025 at 9:03 PM, nate82 said:

Our newest gen-z hire is heavy into conspiracy theories like simulation theory and birds are not real.  She 100% believes in these conspiracy theories.  What is wrong with gen z?

Actually, simulation theory (better called a hypothesis) is not a conspiracy theory, it's a probabilistic argument.  I don't think its originator believes it is true, but an interesting idea nonetheless.

Whatever your coworker believes probably doesn't resemble what Bostrom was saying, but that's not a reflection on the hypothesis.

https://academic.oup.com/pq/article-abstract/53/211/243/1610975?login=false

 

[Samurai Bucky]

On 4/22/2025 at 9:03 PM, nate82 said:

Our newest gen-z hire is heavy into conspiracy theories like simulation theory and birds are not real.  She 100% believes in these conspiracy theories.  What is wrong with gen z?

You do realize we are all pawns in the game of life... ?

[nate82]

I hate O’HareI hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare.  Stupid airport I hate it all of the lounges are garbage.

Also I am a bigger dude I can deal with the smaller seats width wise that doesn’t bother me but OMG American Airlines not everyone is five foot four.  Domestic flight at most it is four hours but a 9 hour international flight and I couldn’t even use the head rest.  Ugggg the business class wasn’t any better just another two inches taller but wider. Stupid American Airlines my least favorite airline of all time.  Spirit is better than American Airlines.

[madbad2000]

2 hours ago, nate82 said:

I hate O’HareI hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare.  Stupid airport I hate it all of the lounges are garbage.

Also I am a bigger dude I can deal with the smaller seats width wise that doesn’t bother me but OMG American Airlines not everyone is five foot four.  Domestic flight at most it is four hours but a 9 hour international flight and I couldn’t even use the head rest.  Ugggg the business class wasn’t any better just another two inches taller but wider. Stupid American Airlines my least favorite airline of all time.  Spirit is better than American Airlines.

I fully concur with hating Ohare.  That is easily the top airport I avoid at all costs.  I find your opinion of American interesting because my experiences would be the opposite.  I think American is one of my top choices.  Being in the South, American and Delta are my main options.  Delta used to be my go to, but their value dropped hard and their seats are worse than other airlines (outside of extreme budget planes).  Being 6'4, 240 the options outside of first class are never good and I just suck it up. 

[homer]

4 hours ago, nate82 said:

I hate O’HareI hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare.  Stupid airport I hate it all of the lounges are garbage.

Also I am a bigger dude I can deal with the smaller seats width wise that doesn’t bother me but OMG American Airlines not everyone is five foot four.  Domestic flight at most it is four hours but a 9 hour international flight and I couldn’t even use the head rest.  Ugggg the business class wasn’t any better just another two inches taller but wider. Stupid American Airlines my least favorite airline of all time.  Spirit is better than American Airlines.

It's only going to get worse on planes. They will try to cram as many people in there as possible. I wish rail were a better option in the US. You aren't going to take it from Seattle to Miami, obviously, but regionally it could work well. Much more civilized mode of transit, imo.

[LouisEly]

7 hours ago, nate82 said:

I hate O’HareI hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare I hate O’Hare.  Stupid airport I hate it all of the lounges are garbage.

Also I am a bigger dude I can deal with the smaller seats width wise that doesn’t bother me but OMG American Airlines not everyone is five foot four.  Domestic flight at most it is four hours but a 9 hour international flight and I couldn’t even use the head rest.  Ugggg the business class wasn’t any better just another two inches taller but wider. Stupid American Airlines my least favorite airline of all time.  Spirit is better than American Airlines.

Oh yes, AA definitely has the shortest seat pitch.  My knees are wedged into the seat in front of me.  Have to try to spread my legs as much as I can to the edges of the seat in front of me, no way can I have them straight forward.

That being said, AA is a lot cheaper than United in terms of seat upgrades.  And you can use miles to upgrade your seat on AA.

I haven't been in an airline lounge in close to 20 years, so I can't speak to those.  But if you hate O'Hare, then I can only assume you have never had to connect at MSP or flown out of the new terminal in SLC.  I've walked over a half mile going from one gate to another in MSP, and good luck finding a halfway decent restaurant along the way.  Same with SLC, it's probably over a half-mile walk from check-in to the end of the new terminal and that includes the few people-movers they have.

If flying on United, O'Hare is super easy.  After going through security you're right in concourse B, and then it's a short walk to the escalator and people movers to get to concourse C.  Nothing is a long walk in the United concourses.  And if you want some quick food to take on your flight, there's a food court in concourse C with a decent cheap Chinese restaurant.  I could leave my place in Chicago ~2:10 before my flight, walk three blocks to the blue line, 40 minute light rail to the airport, 10 minute walk from the blue line stop to security, be through security and get some food with plenty of time to spare.

[GAME05]

I hate that they took out the smoking lounges. Sure they were gross but after 10+ hours on a plane and going through it all it'd sure be nice to have a touch of stress relief.

[LouisEly]

Went to the vehicle this morning to run an errand before work... and when I start the vehicle a low tire pressure warning comes up.  Back right tire down to 20 psi.  Sure enough, I see a nail/screw of some type sticking out.  And sure enough, it's along the edge of the tire, too close to the sidewall to patch.

The silver lining - just last week I got an oil change and the shop said that my tires will need to be replaced soon.  Down to about 3-4mm and the sides are worn down.  Was hoping to get through the summer and replace in late October before the snow hits.  I could try to find a used tire to get me until late fall, but don't think it's worth the hassle to just replace all of them 5 months from now.

Tires are damn expensive.  But Walmart has some non-advertised/likely Chinese tires that are cheap.  Not just cheap, but like $180/tire less than the lowest brand name tires.  That's $720 total less... plus 10% sales tax, so more like $800 total less.  Total cost with installation for four tires - $600 + tax.

Has anyone tried this Summit brand tire before, or a non-name-brand from Walmart?  If the difference was like $50/tire, I would go with brand name.  But for $800 less... I think worth the risk.  $60K tread warranty.  Sold by Walmart, not a 3rd party, so I think they'll stand behind it.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Summit-Trail-Climber-SUV2-All-Season-265-40R21-105W-XL-SUV-Crossover-Tire/7024712042?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1100&from=/search

[CheezWizHed]

On 5/4/2025 at 2:17 PM, LouisEly said:

Oh yes, AA definitely has the shortest seat pitch.  My knees are wedged into the seat in front of me.  Have to try to spread my legs as much as I can to the edges of the seat in front of me, no way can I have them straight forward.

That being said, AA is a lot cheaper than United in terms of seat upgrades.  And you can use miles to upgrade your seat on AA.

I haven't been in an airline lounge in close to 20 years, so I can't speak to those.  But if you hate O'Hare, then I can only assume you have never had to connect at MSP or flown out of the new terminal in SLC.  I've walked over a half mile going from one gate to another in MSP, and good luck finding a halfway decent restaurant along the way.  Same with SLC, it's probably over a half-mile walk from check-in to the end of the new terminal and that includes the few people-movers they have.

If flying on United, O'Hare is super easy.  After going through security you're right in concourse B, and then it's a short walk to the escalator and people movers to get to concourse C.  Nothing is a long walk in the United concourses.  And if you want some quick food to take on your flight, there's a food court in concourse C with a decent cheap Chinese restaurant.  I could leave my place in Chicago ~2:10 before my flight, walk three blocks to the blue line, 40 minute light rail to the airport, 10 minute walk from the blue line stop to security, be through security and get some food with plenty of time to spare.

Uhg... Chicago is 100x worse than MSP, especially if you are flying through it.  I've gone MSP end to end in 10 min.  Moving sidewalks and the tram make it easier to move around.  I've walked 10-15 min through OHare without anything but a few bathrooms.  

CDG in Paris is my second airport to avoid.  You can go through security multiple times going international to EU local flights, plus a 20 min bus ride.  And the French attitudes... 

On 5/4/2025 at 6:06 PM, GAME05 said:

I hate that they took out the smoking lounges. Sure they were gross but after 10+ hours on a plane and going through it all it'd sure be nice to have a touch of stress relief.

I've seen some international airports have rooms for smokers (similar to the potty rooms for dogs).  Didn't even look like you needed to bring cigarettes... just walk in and inhale. 😲😂

[AKCheesehead]

I don't know if it's changed, since this was I think 18 years ago when I had a connection there, but Denver International was an interesting one. I could not locate ANY signage for where my connecting flight was, and my ticket only had a gate number, no letter for which concourse. It was a tight turnaround too, so I got on the little train and picked a concourse (1 in 3 chance) and lucked out.  It was in final boarding so there was no time for a wrong guess. Just bizarre.

[LouisEly]

5 hours ago, AKCheesehead said:

I don't know if it's changed, since this was I think 18 years ago when I had a connection there, but Denver International was an interesting one. I could not locate ANY signage for where my connecting flight was, and my ticket only had a gate number, no letter for which concourse. It was a tight turnaround too, so I got on the little train and picked a concourse (1 in 3 chance) and lucked out.  It was in final boarding so there was no time for a wrong guess. Just bizarre.

That's odd.  I've been connecting or flying out of there for 25 years and have never experienced anything like that.  Denver's terminals are Terminal A, B, and C.  Your boarding pass should say gate A25 or B49 or C36, with the letter indicating the Terminal.

About 12 years ago I was flying out of there and noticed that they had put some travel-related quotes on some of the windows.  Almost yelled when I saw this one.  Haven't checked recently to see if it's still there, and didn't remember where it was, but now that I zoom in on the background I can see the sign at the top of the jet bridge that says B49.

 

[NeedMoreFans]

On the topic of airports and airlines- why do airlines think 35 minutes is acceptable for a layover (looking at you AA and CLT)? There have been times where I've been able to make that connection, but more often than not, that would cut it too close for comfort, if not missing it altogether. 

[madbad2000]

10 hours ago, NeedMoreFans said:

On the topic of airports and airlines- why do airlines think 35 minutes is acceptable for a layover (looking at you AA and CLT)? There have been times where I've been able to make that connection, but more often than not, that would cut it too close for comfort, if not missing it altogether. 

This is a good gripe.  I have had this connection at Charlotte a couple of times and rolled with booking it because it was the cheaper option.  Every time we have arrived early and got to the next gate in plenty of time.  I know there is usually buffer placed on routes to cover any delays and to make passengers feel better since they arrive early.  I wonder if there is some of that psychological manipulation going on. 

[LouisEly]

3 hours ago, madbad2000 said:

I know there is usually buffer placed on routes to cover any delays and to make passengers feel better since they arrive early. 

Oh, yes.  Depending on what airport you are flying out of or in to there is a buffer of up to 30 minutes.  I think O'Hare is 30 minutes. 

Departure time is also the time you push back from the gate, not wheels-up.  That's another reason for the buffer.  You could have to taxi for 10 minutes and then be #13 for departure.

[nate82]

Went to the Vatican today and wasn’t elected the Pope.  Also the Sistine Chapel is closed to visitors.  

[NeedMoreFans]

3 hours ago, madbad2000 said:

This is a good gripe.  I have had this connection at Charlotte a couple of times and rolled with booking it because it was the cheaper option.  Every time we have arrived early and got to the next gate in plenty of time.  I know there is usually buffer placed on routes to cover any delays and to make passengers feel better since they arrive early.  I wonder if there is some of that psychological manipulation going on. 

I'm a bit scarred from the last trip I made through Charlotte.  We went to the Dominican Republic and connected through CLT both ways.  While booking flights, they had a 45 minute layover coming home as an option; and of course it was the cheapest.  I opted for a layover that was about an hour and 45 minutes because of needing to go through customs.  By the time we got off the plane, through customs, rechecked our bags, got through security, got a quick bite to eat, a stop at the bathroom, we were the last ones to board our plane to Madison.  

[Jim French Stepstool]

5 hours ago, nate82 said:

Went to the Vatican today and wasn’t elected the Pope.  Also the Sistine Chapel is closed to visitors.  

Given my baseball-fandom, it's a little disturbing to me that a large group of Cardinals would elect someone from Chicago.🤔

[Jimbo]

15 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Given my baseball-fandom, it's a little disturbing to me that a large group of Cardinals would elect someone from Chicago.🤔

At least the Pope isn't a Cubs fan.

 

[AKCheesehead]

On 5/7/2025 at 3:01 PM, LouisEly said:

That's odd.  I've been connecting or flying out of there for 25 years and have never experienced anything like that.  Denver's terminals are Terminal A, B, and C.  Your boarding pass should say gate A25 or B49 or C36, with the letter indicating the Terminal.

It's likely I just couldn't find the signage I needed, but I certainly did wander around looking for it for a while before I gave up and just took a chance.  Now that I remember it more, I checked the # in whatever concourse I'd arrived to from I believe MSP.  So eliminated that one and I had a 50/50 chance when I hopped on the "all aboard" train thing.  Boarding pass should've said terminal, but didn't. 

I really like airports that are more mid range.  Big enough to have good amenities and options, comfortable, but not huge.  ANC is great (I may be a tad biased but not by much) and if I'm heading down, I'll take PDX over SeaTac whenever I can.

[homer]

guys that take their shirts off in the gym. This has bugged me since I first stepped foot in a gym.

[wallus]

A tornado hit my parent's farm. It is going to take forever to rebuild and clean up.

[nate82]

Got stuck in Venice the other day and missed my connecting flight back home.  But was put in a nice hotel in London.  That wasn’t bad but the Venice airport is not all that great.  Reminds me of Milwaukee’s airport.  Small and dingy but not as dark as Milwaukee’s airport.  Is it still dark and dingy at Mitchell?  It has been like 5 years or so since I have been to Milwaukee.

Heathrow airport is awesome though.

[GAME05]

16 hours ago, homer said:

guys that take their shirts off in the gym. This has bugged me since I first stepped foot in a gym.

I haven't been to a commercial gym in a while. Is it overblown the number of e-girls there filming themselves working out in what's basically underwear, or is social media making it a bigger problem than it really is?