‘It genuinely fills me with rage,’ Josie de Kock, 26, exclaims.
After a long travel day, there’s nothing that gets Josie more riled up than an impatient crowd edging their way closer and closer to the baggage claim area.
Hands clenched and faces red with anticipation, people seem to lose all sense of personal space when it comes to locating their suitcase.
Being 5 ft 3 myself, I relate to the rage. Trying to secure a good viewing spot near the carousel is near-on impossible. It’s partially why I try and opt for carry on luggage these days.
Coined by Metro, carousel grinding refers to people who crowd incredibly close to the conveyor belt to try and make sure they get sight of their suitcase first. They tend to barge through others to get to their personal belongings, practically climbing on top of the carousel in the process.
It can make the last stop on your journey home truly tiresome. There are only so many sharp elbows and crushed toes I can handle when I’m on a Werther’s Original sugar crash.
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And I’m not the only one who dreads this unhinged corner of the airport, if you take a quick scroll on TikTok, you’ll come across dozens of videos from frustrated passengers complaining about this universal pet peeve.
I’m sorry but I call them carousel morons
For West London resident Josie de Kock, 26, her biggest gripe with this bad travel habit is the fact that it exposes some of society’s worst qualities – aka, our self-obsession.
‘I think it’s just shows how selfish everyone is, as if as long as they’re close and have got their spot by the carousel then they don’t worry about anyone else.’
She adds: ‘Also it makes me think they’ve all been born that very day, because how do they not understand that a small tight circle around the carousel means that less people can access it…’
Sophie Alcock, 26, a senior surveyor from Kent and another anti-carousel grinder, tells Metro: ‘Waiting at the carousel won’t make the bags come any faster.’
‘It’s so annoying then when your bag comes out and you can’t get to it because people don’t want to give up their waiting spot,’ she continues. ‘It’s really bizarre.’
Hate carousel grinders? You might also have beef with belt bumpers
Belt bumping refers to a frustratingly common habit where people refuse to properly put away their tray once they’ve collected their belongings from the conveyor belt.
This could mean leaving said tray on one of the designated unloading tables or even abandoning it altogether in the middle of the belt — but either way, bumping the responsibility to do the right thing and return their receptacle.
While common sense – and numerous signs dotted around the security area – should dictate against this, it seems many people are either unaware or ignorant of the pre-departures protocol.
Fleurine Tideman, 29, has seen her fair share of belt bumpers over the years, telling Metro: ‘It’s the equivalent to people who don’t put away their shopping trolley. It’s one of the societal rules that aren’t about legality, so it shows you who people are.’
Blaise Kelly, 26, adds: ‘It’s horrible etiquette and disrespectful to the queue and people working at the airport. It’s also a request from the staff, so you’re basically choosing to ignore them.’
Is carousel grinding bad etiquette?
Metro spoke with Laura Windsor, dubbed by the public the Queen of Etiquette, to find out whether or not carousel grinding is actually impolite or just another pet peeve born out of humans’ love of complaining.
‘While it may be seen as one of Britain’s worst travel habits, the reality is that especially after a long flight, all people want is to grab their suitcase and get home. That’s completely understandable. It’s also human nature to crowd around the carousel to watch for your bag.’
She goes on to add: ‘However, when too many people crowd the belt, it makes it harder for everyone to spot their bags. The situation is made worse when an entire family gathers at the front — parents, children, trolleys, buggies and all — when in reality, only one or two people need to retrieve the luggage.’
‘However, this isn’t just a British peeve,’ Laura notes, ‘it’s a worldwide one.’
And she’s right, I’ve come across videos from flyers in the US, Italy, the Philippines, and dozens more destinations – all complaining about carousel grinding.
So, what should you do if you find yourself confronted with a whole cohort of carousel grinders and you feel the red mist starting to cloud your vision?
Laura recommends that you: ‘Stand back to allow everyone to see their luggage and the moment it arrives, step forward, lift it off, and move on quickly. But habits are hard to break, especially when you are tired and impatient to get home. So, first things first, take a breath.’
She continues: ‘Accept that this behaviour isn’t going away any time soon. Try moving away from crowded pockets, resist the urge to join in out of frustration, and try to set a good example. Standing back might not change the situation, but it might make your experience a better one.’
And when in doubt, remember this: ‘if you find yourself thinking that crowding the luggage belt is rude and inconsiderate, you’re almost certainly not alone!’
