Comedian’s extreme airport routine divides opinion as travellers weigh in on punctuality and travel etiquette.
A TikTok video from comedian Tim Murray has sparked an online debate after he claimed that he always arrives at the airport over six hours before his flight due to extreme anxiety. In the video posted on 13 October, Murray explained that his pre-flight routine involved relaxing at the airport Chili’s with a waitress named Debra, claiming he enjoyed her “amazing smoker’s voice” and her captivating stories.
The Ohio-based comedian, known for his anxiety-fuelled travel habits, also told others to take responsibility for their own punctuality: “It’s not my fault you’re late for your flight.” He further encouraged late passengers to “manage your time better” instead of rushing through the security line.
Murray even boasted of enjoying two meals at the airport before his flight, saying, “You think I’m joking? That’s the Chili’s behind me right there, baby. I had lunch there, and I’m about to have dinner.”
The video, which quickly amassed over 700,000 views, drew mixed reactions. Some viewers supported Murray’s excessive preparedness, agreeing that punctuality was key to reducing travel stress. One commenter said, “This is why I could never travel with friends. Their inability to follow my rigid, anxiety-riddled, overly prepared time schedule would ruin my life.”
However, others pointed out that not all situations are within a passenger’s control. “What if your previous flight was late?” one user argued. “I would NOT be at fault for being late to my next one!” Another suggested that it costs nothing to let someone through when they’re in danger of missing their flight, especially given the inherent stress of airports.
Murray later admitted that he may have exaggerated the six-and-a-half-hour arrival time and clarified that for international flights, he typically arrives more than three hours ahead, though this has occasionally led to issues with check-in.
In a separate discussion around travel etiquette, Dunedin Airport in New Zealand made headlines for imposing a three-minute time limit on farewell hugs at drop-off areas, prompting a divide on social media. One critic described the limit as “inhumane,” asserting that “You can’t put a time limit on hugs.”
These differing opinions on how early is early enough and when it’s appropriate to say goodbye highlight the varying attitudes towards time management and social interaction in travel settings.
