When navigating an airport, you come face to face with many different employees, such as TSA officers, gate agents, and flight attendants. But there’s a plethora of other people working behind the scenes to ensure everything at an airport runs smoothly — and you’ll never see most of them. The people working these “invisible” jobs perform their duties without drawing public attention, so the average traveler may not realize the roles even exist. Discover five of these lesser-known — and often fascinating — airport professions that keep your flight on schedule.

Wildlife Hazard Manager

Animals around airports pose a major risk to aircraft if not suitably managed. This is especially true of birds, which account for 97% of airplane strikes, and mammals such as deer, which cause the remaining 3%. By keeping the tarmac and flight paths clear, wildlife hazard managers lessen the risk of these events from occurring. Typically, there isn’t one single wildlife hazard management role at an airport, but rather a variety of specialized fields dedicated to preventing incidents between airplanes and animals.

One example of a job that falls under the wildlife hazard management umbrella is serving on the Bird Strike Committee, an organization that analyzes data about past collisions and bird flight patterns, and passes that information on to specific airports. Another critical role involves maintaining the landscape around an airport’s runway. Various trees and bushes can provide animals with shelter or food, and certain employees are tasked with removing that foliage to deter animals from coming too close to the runway. Some airports also employ professional falconers to deploy their highly trained falcons in the vicinity of the runway. These falcons can scare off other birds and mitigate the risk of bird strikes.

Airfield Lighting Technician

Tarmac and runway lighting systems are essential for nighttime operations or in the event of low visibility. Though they’re far more powerful than the bulbs in a bedside lamp or ceiling light, like those fixtures, lights on the runway may dim or fizzle out over time. This is why airports employ airfield lighting technicians who are specially trained to keep the tarmac glowing bright.

These technicians are required to inspect, test, clean, repair, and handle all other matters related to light fixtures located on the tarmac. They’re also trained to work during adverse weather conditions — for example, if lights go out during a torrential storm, these techs work tirelessly to restore power so that aircraft can land safely. They’re required to adhere to strict FAA safety protocols and must be trained to work with high-voltage systems of up to 5,000 volts of electricity. Employees in this role are frequently on call for all emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Aircraft Loadmaster

The loadmaster (or a similar role called a load planner) plays an integral role in ensuring that planes stay properly balanced in the sky. It’s their responsibility to ensure that weight is evenly distributed throughout the aircraft. Loadmasters are commonly employed in the military, but also for commercial cargo flights.

Loadmasters use precise mathematical calculations to determine each plane’s center of gravity, which allows them to plot out where all the cargo should be safely stored. They’re also responsible for the safe placement of any unusual or sensitive cargo, such as ammunition or fragile medical devices. If these items are stored improperly, it can cause damage to the craft and the cargo itself. Once the airplane is loaded for departure, the loadmaster makes sure that everything is firmly strapped down so that it doesn’t shift around during the journey.

Foreign Object Debris Inspector

The foreign object debris (FOD) inspector is tasked with flagging potentially hazardous objects on the runway (or anywhere else in the airport) that may cause harm or damage to staff, passengers, or aircraft. Some common objects they look out for include nuts, bolts, wildlife, rocks, rubber from tires, or any other materials that may end up on the runway. While many of the items may seem quite small, they could pose a risk of puncturing the airplane’s tires.

FOD inspectors use a combination of runway walks, ground-based radar, and various cameras and sensors to check the tarmac for potential hazards. If the FOD inspector notices anything amiss, they’re expected to report the issue to air traffic control and implement safety measures to clean up the hazards. If the problem is deemed significant enough, a team will be dispatched to the runway to remove the hazards, sometimes using specialized vehicles with built-in vacuums and magnetic sweepers to scoop up the debris — even if that means temporarily suspending flights until the tarmac is clear.

Runway Friction Tester

Runway friction is an important consideration for making sure that airplanes can take off and land safely. This is an especially notable concern in cases of inclement weather, as rain or snow may cause the runway to become too slick. To determine if there’s enough runway friction to perform safe takeoffs and landings, airports employ a runway friction tester. These testers drive a specially designed vehicle across the runway, which uses a built-in sensor system to measure runway friction.

The FAA requires suitable friction conditions on at least two runways in order for an airport to operate in a safe manner. For this reason, runway friction testers will regularly perform journeys across each runway to perform tests. These vehicles are also designed with a self-watering feature that sprays water in front of the car and allows them to simulate wet conditions, even on non-rainy days. This helps ensure that even if it starts to rain, the runway will maintain enough friction to withstand those conditions.

I love hotels and have been visiting them professionally for decades. In that time, the industry has changed a lot. Some of these changes are welcome — like replacing disposable plastic toiletries with refillable dispensers, or getting rid of giant dusty entertainment units in favor of flat-screen wall-mounted TVs. But every few years, some small pleasure or comfort disappears, to the detriment of guests. I’ve grown accustomed to packing my own lightweight robe and expecting the only room service option to be DoorDash. But the latest hotel trend — the disappearing bathroom door — makes sharing a room with another human downright intolerable. Here’s why travelers shouldn’t take this destruction of privacy sitting down.

The Incredible Shrinking Hotel Bathroom

First, they came for the tubs. No relaxing soak at the end of a long day, no way to safely clean a squirming toddler without getting wet with them, and above all, no apology for the removal of an amenity that used to be standard. When I questioned the rationale behind a tubless suite, one hotel manager insisted that their clients preferred showers and didn’t want a separate tub. Another hospitality director told me prefab showers are cheaper to build and can be installed quickly. Plus, they save on housekeeping labor, which decreases costs.

The downsizing didn’t stop with bathtubs. Soon, shower doors began disappearing, or were downsized to cheaper half-glass. This made showering a less-than-luxurious experience, with hot water battling cold air (not to mention the soaked floors). Would you like a conveniently placed ledge or shelf to rest a foot on while shaving your legs? Those vanished, too, in the same renovation cycle that gave us walk-in showers with nowhere to put our shampoo. 

But the latest hotel amenity to disappear in the name of a more open aesthetic is, of all things, the ability to use the toilet in private. That’s right — bathroom doors are on the chopping block. While some hotels go the distance with spa-worthy soaking tubs and steam showers, others are “renovating” with barn-style sliding doors, barely frosted or completely clear glass doors, or even no doors at all to save on space — all to increase the bottom line. 

Coping Strategies

Guests are fighting back, however. Sadie Lowell was traveling with her father when she discovered — to her horror — that their twin-bed room in London’s Holmes Hotel had no bathroom door and clear glass walls. The experience led her to launch BringBackDoors.com, an ever-growing database of hotels (there are now over 500 of them) rating potty privacy from “full” to “zero.”

For those of us who simply want to soak in peace, the odds are not in our favor, either. As of 2019, shower-only rooms accounted for nearly a quarter of all hotel rooms in the U.S. — triple the share from the mid-2010s. My personal experience is that you’re more likely to find a tub (as part of a traditional shower-tub combo) in a Motel 6 than you are in a recently renovated 4-star hotel. You can filter for in-room tubs when searching online travel agencies such as Booking.com, but they may not be on offer in all rooms, so it’s always a good idea to call to confirm. (It never hurts to scope out traveler-submitted pictures on sites like TripAdvisor, too.)

Should you accidentally find yourself in a half-glassed shower with an audaciously exposed toilet, you can grin and bear (bare?) it — or join the revolution against the never-ending erosion of hospitality. During your stay, express your displeasure (politely) to the hotel manager, or you can email a letter of complaint to corporate (if it’s a chain).

While it may take time to see any meaningful response, there are a few immediate workarounds. Depending on how the room is configured, a carefully draped bath sheet might provide some privacy. Most lodgings also have restroom facilities in the lobby, while an on-site fitness facility may offer the ability to shower more privately.

I’ve always believed that travel is a privilege, but hotels (and airlines) seem to charge more and offer less with each passing year. We’ve largely lost complimentary seat assignments, free checked luggage (not to mention hotel luggage racks), minibars, and sometimes even daily housekeeping — let’s not give up our bathroom privacy without a fight.

Featured image credit: © Iván Moreno/stock.adobe.com

After a long travel day, all you want to do when you check in at a hotel is drop your bags on the floor and kick up your feet. We’ll stop you right there. First, you should actually put your suitcase somewhere else when you arrive. (Spoiler alert: It’s the bathtub. Read why here.) Next, before you remove your shoes and stretch out on the comforter, consider that your hotel room might not be as clean as you think. We’ve dug into the Daily Passport archives to share what travel experts have identified as the dirtiest parts of a hotel room, so you know what to avoid on your next getaway. Here are five of the worst offenders. 

The Floors

If you’ve been out exploring a new city all day, you probably want to let your feet breathe. But according to industry insiders, that seemingly innocent barefoot stroll to the bathroom can spread a myriad of germs.

Jacob Tomsky, a seasoned hotel industry expert and author, revealed to Sun Online Travel that hotel floors — especially the carpeted areas — are the dirtiest part of a room. “Yes, they are vacuumed but they will almost never get a shampoo and a deep clean as there are constantly people staying in the rooms,” he explained. 

Read more: The One Thing You Should Never Go Without in a Hotel Room

The Coffee Maker

Even if the coffee machine in your hotel room looks clean to the naked eye, microscopic germs and bacteria are likely lurking inside. That’s because bacteria thrives in dark, moist environments, making the coffee machine a hospitable environment for it to grow. And it’s unlikely that each coffee machine in a hotel filled with hundreds of rooms is cleaned as thoroughly and often as it should be. 

Some studies have shown that the average coffee maker may even be dirtier than a toilet seat. Plus, you never know what other hotel guests might have used the machine for previously. 

Read more: The One Thing You Should Never Use in a Hotel Room 

The Ice Bucket

Many hotels offer disposable drinkware to make cleaning up easier, but some still include drinking glasses in every room. If your hotel has actual glassware, it’s worth running each cup under the sink before drinking out of them. Just because there aren’t any visible stains or smudges doesn’t mean that the glass has been recently cleaned. But there’s one other common amenity you might not think twice about before using.

In an interview with Travel + Leisure, Brian Labus, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said that “the grossest thing” you can do in a hotel room “is to use the ice bucket without a liner.” Labus cites a past norovirus outbreak in which people used the ice buckets when they got sick, since they could be kept close to the bed. Those buckets were then unknowingly used by future guests, spreading the virus even further.

Read more: This Common Hotel Room Amenity Isn’t as Clean as You Think 

Decorative Bedding

A viral report by Inside Edition revealed the dirty truth about rooms at three major hotel chains in New York City. Spoiler alert: None were cleaned as well as they should’ve been, especially when it came to the bedding. Do hotels wash the comforter after every guest? According to those in the know, some don’t.

Because of this, it’s best practice to avoid all fluffy textiles in hotel rooms — comforters, quilts, decorative pillows, and even fabric couches. These items are not washed as regularly as sheets, towels, and duvet covers. Throw pillows are among the dirtiest items because they are often put on the floor or the couch and not washed between guests.

Read more: How Often Do Hotels Clean Comforters on the Bed?

Common Touchpoints

Think of all the surfaces in each hotel room that are repeatedly touched during each stay, like door handles, light switches, faucets, and the TV remote control (one of the germiest offenders). While the cleaning staff may have quickly wiped down these areas with a wet cloth or duster, it doesn’t hurt to give them one more clean with some disinfecting wipes. Be sure to get down in the cracks and crevices that are harder to reach in order to ensure a thorough clean. 

Read more: Here’s What You Should Clean Yourself When You Check into a Hotel Room

While most of us would prefer to be seated closer to the pointy end of the plane — where seats that convert into fully flat beds and suites with closing privacy doors are the norm — the vacation budget often doesn’t allow for it. And as spacious as first- and business-class seats have become in recent years, the same can’t be said for the economy-class experience, where legroom is tighter than ever. Thankfully, a new option is on the horizon: One U.S. airline has just announced an upgraded economy-class experience with seats that convert into a couch. Here are all the details. 

United’s New “Relax Row”

Last month, Chicago-based United Airlines announced a new concept that will be coming to its long-haul aircraft in 2027: the United Relax Row. It’s a set of three economy-class seats that can transform into a couch, using individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle to be level with the seat cushions, allowing travelers more room to spread out, get comfortable, and take a nap. Check out a video of the new product here to see how it works.

United will equip up to 12 Relax Row sections (groups of three seats with this feature) per plane on its Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft, which fly the airline’s longest routes to destinations such as Delhi, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Tokyo. After launching next year, the United Relax Row is expected to be available on more than 200 aircraft by 2030 — but there’s no word yet on how much it will cost to upgrade to the product. 

In a press release, the airline said the Relax Row “is ideal for families traveling with small children, solo travelers, and couples who want the value of United Economy but with a little extra comfort.” In addition to the convertible bed, travelers in the Relax Row will receive upgraded amenities “including a custom-fitted mattress pad, a specially sized plush blanket, two additional pillows, as well as a plush toy and Children’s Travel Kit for families.”

While United is the first airline in North America to debut this seat concept in economy class, Air New Zealand was the first to introduce a similar product called the Economy Skycouch. Other airlines offering coach seats that double as a bed include Germany’s Lufthansa and Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA). 

Comfort Hacks for Long Flights

United’s new option should be welcome news for U.S.-based flyers who aren’t able to splurge for business-class beds, but they’ll have to wait a while before it’s widely available. In the meantime, there are a few other helpful hacks you can employ and products you can pack to stay comfortable on a long flight. 

Always prioritize comfortable clothing — loose, flowy, stretchy pants, for instance — and pack layers (like a hoodie, cardigan, scarf, or sweatshirt) to adjust to changing cabin conditions. You’ll also want to toss a few other handy items in your carry-on, like a travel neck pillow, eye shades, and compression socks to combat swelling. 

Feature image credit: Image courtesy of United

As many of the world’s top tourist cities face the growing crisis of overtourism, a number of them have implemented destination taxes as one way to try to manage the influx of visitors. Sometimes, you may not even realize you’re paying the tax until you receive your hotel bill at checkout. These mandatory, government-imposed fees can be a percentage of the total nightly cost at a hotel or a set amount in the local currency — ranging, for example, from 1 to 10 euros in many European destinations. Some popular places, like Venice, even charge a tax if you’re just visiting for the day. But starting this month, one destination has raised its tax to among the highest in Europe. 

Growing Concerns

Nowhere has overtourism been more of a concern than in Europe, and Barcelona, Spain, is a prime example. Home to iconic Gaudí architecture, sunny Mediterranean beaches, renowned museums, and bustling pedestrian streets, the city just notched an all-time tourism record with 26.1 million visitors in 2025. And that number could grow even higher in 2026, as the city’s most famous landmark, the Sagrada Família, is set to finally be completed after being under construction for more than 140 years.

While tourism can be a boon for the local economy in many ways, too many visitors can have negative effects, leading not only to clogged streets and strained infrastructure but also to a rise in local housing costs. Many housing units have been converted into short-term rentals (such as Airbnb properties) to accommodate tourists, limiting supply and driving up prices for residents. 

That’s one reason Barcelona residents, in particular, have been so vocally opposed to tourism in recent months, going so far as to stage anti-tourism protests that have even targeted some tourists with water guns as a symbol of their frustrations. 

One of Europe’s Highest Tourist Taxes

In response to the growing concerns, the regional government of Catalonia announced that, starting April 1, 2026, it is doubling the Tax on Stays in Tourist Establishments (IEET). This applies to all hotels (with rates varying depending on hotel category), short-term tourist rentals, and cruises in the Catalonia region, of which Barcelona is the capital. 

Local municipalities are also permitted to add their own surcharges, and Barcelona is raising its flat-rate surcharge by 1 euro starting in April. The surcharge is set to increase by an additional euro each subsequent year until 2029, when it reaches 8 euros per night.

Before the change went into effect, guests at a four-star hotel had to pay 5.70 euros per night in taxes (a tourist tax of 1.70 euros, plus a 4-euro Barcelona surcharge). Now, the same stay will cost 8.40 euros in taxes (3.40 euros in tourist tax and 5 euros for the Barcelona surcharge).

On top of that, the tourist tax is subject to the same 10% VAT (value added tax) you pay on the room rate itself, as the tourist tax is treated as part of the overall cost of accommodation. Taking all that into account, the nightly fees at a four-star hotel will rise from 6.27 euros to 9.24 euros. If you’re staying for a week, you’ll pay an extra 20.79 euros, which is equivalent to about $24 USD. 

The increase hits luxury stays even more, rising from 8.25 euros to 13.20 euros (about $15.25 USD) per night — among the highest nightly tourist taxes in Europe. Notably, the government is also allocating 25% of the revenue from its tourist tax for housing policies to address resident concerns. 

Other Cities Increasing Their Tourist Taxes

While Barcelona’s nightly tax now ranks among the highest in Europe, it’s no match for Amsterdam, one of the continent’s biggest tourism hot spots. In 2025, taxes on room rates in Amsterdam increased to 12.5% of the overnight price, and the fee for day trippers (typically cruise passengers) increased to 14.50 euros per person. On top of that, the city also announced it will no longer be building any new hotels in an effort to keep visitor numbers from becoming too unwieldy. 

The concerns aren’t limited to Europe, either. Over in Asia, Kyoto has seen a massive influx in visitors keen to explore Japan’s “cultural capital” and its numerous historic temples, shrines, and gardens — while taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate in recent years. In response, the local government hiked the tourist tax by up to 900%; now, the priciest hotel rooms will cost an extra $26 USD per night. 

Tourist taxes are also something to consider closer to home. If you’re visiting Houston, Texas, for example, you’ll pay a total combined state and municipal tourist tax of 17%, based on the cost of your room rate. Elsewhere, Connecticut charges a statewide 15% tourist tax, while in Los Angeles, the nightly tax is 12% of your room rate. 

Featured image credit: © Sergii Figurnyi/stock.adobe.com

When you visit a popular tourist attraction, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up waiting in line. But some queues move quickly, while others are more time-consuming. To determine which tourist hot spots have the longest wait times, we turned to a recent study published by Reader’s Digest and conducted by the online social casino McLuck. They analyzed nearly 1 million reviews on TripAdvisor, searching for keywords such as “long line” or “waited hours,” to compile a list of the 45 U.S. tourist attractions with the longest lines in 2025. Here are the seven worst offenders where a little patience may go a long way.

7. Space Needle – Seattle, Washington

The 605-foot-tall Space Needle towers over the Seattle skyline as one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in America. It’s also one of the most popular attractions in the Pacific Northwest, welcoming more than 1 million visitors each year. Its observation deck provides 360-degree views of the surrounding city, and on clear days, majestic Mount Rainier in the distance. 

Entry to the Space Needle is ticketed and scheduled in 15-minute increments, though lines can grow to unwieldy lengths on more popular days. Queues are only made longer by the thorough security screening process that all guests are required to undergo. Be sure to allot several hours for your visit, so you don’t feel rushed upon making it to the top (there are no time limits once you’re inside).

6. Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Dedicated to country music superstar Dolly Parton, the Dollywood amusement park typically opens in mid-March and remains open until just after the new year. During the 10-month season each year, Dollywood welcomes more than 3 million guests, placing it among the 20 most popular North American theme parks. 

Dollywood also takes up a much smaller footprint compared with other amusement parks, like Disney World, so crowded days can feel especially packed given the limited space. To miss out on these long lines, guests are advised to avoid more popular times of the year, such as the summer or during the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival each winter.

5. Gateway Arch – St. Louis, Missouri

You don’t have to wait in line to enter Gateway Arch National Park, nor is there any wait to stand in the shadows of the 630-foot-tall namesake attraction, which is the tallest monument in the U.S. But if you’re hoping to go inside the arch and ride the tram up to its viewing platform, you should anticipate waiting a while. 

First, visitors are required to be screened by security, which takes about 30 minutes on average. Once you’re past security, you’ll hop aboard the tram, which contains five-person pods that can take only a handful of people up at any given time. There’s a maximum capacity of 85 guests at the observation deck, and your time there is limited to 10 minutes before going back down, so plan accordingly.

4. National Museum of African American History and Culture – Washington, D.C.

Opened in 2016, the architecturally stunning National Museum of African American History and Culture is widely regarded as one of the country’s top museums. It’s entirely free to visit — which is also the case for the many other Smithsonian Museums located along the National Mall. But guests have reported long wait times at this particular institution. 

Queues at the security checkpoint were frequently mentioned in TripAdvisor reviews, creating substantial backlogs on busier days. The museum does require guests to reserve a free timed-entry ticket — part of an ongoing effort to keep crowds at a manageable level — but even with limited reservations, online reviewers continue to lament the long waits.

3. The Broad Museum – Los Angeles, California

Nearly 14% of TripAdvisor reviews for the Broad Museum in downtown L.A. mention the long wait times, making it the third-worst offender in the McLuck study. Part of the reason for the long lines and crowding is the museum’s free admission, as well as the fact that it’s a popular spot for school field trips. 

While you can always book timed-entry tickets to the Broad to bypass the standby line, you’ll likely still encounter bottlenecks at the entrance and security. However, for many it’s worth the wait — the museum contains incredible works of modern art from painters such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Just be prepared for lines.

2. Cedar Point Amusement Park – Sandusky, Ohio

With 16% of TripAdvisor reviews calling out the endless lines and annoying delays, Cedar Point Amusement Park ranks second on the list of U.S. attractions with the longest lines, according to the McLuck study. But there’s a reason for those lines: With 18 world-class coasters, Cedar Point has been nicknamed the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” making it a bucket-list destination for thrill-seekers everywhere — as evidenced by the 3.8 million guests who visited in 2024. 

Cedar Point’s popularity equates to massive lines not only to get inside, but also to ride each roller coaster. This is especially true in the busy summer months and from September to November, when the park is open only on weekends, so try to visit early in the season or midweek for shorter lines.

1. The Liberty Bell – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

According to the 2025 study, the Liberty Bell has the longest lines of any U.S. attraction. The building that houses the Liberty Bell is part of the larger Independence National Historical Park. Its convenient location in downtown Philly, coupled with complimentary admission, usually leads to massive crowds, as evidenced by the 18% of TripAdvisor reviews that lamented the long wait times. Furthermore, the area around the Liberty Bell is limited to around 20 guests, all of whom are likely to spend a few minutes taking photos and admiring the relic. 

If you plan to visit this iconic symbol of American independence, which was cast in 1753, prepare to be patient, or try to go during the times of day when crowds are likely to be smaller. Many guests report shorter wait times if you arrive just before opening (9 a.m.) or within the hour before closing (4 p.m.), as the crowds tend to be larger in the middle of the day.