What makes our blood boil

Luggage gluttons aren't the only travel species that make people angry. Other sources of irritation range from the passengers who hold up the plane while they dawdle in duty free, to the professional moaners who are bribed by the airlines to make them go away. Here's a selection of travel hates sent in by readers.

* The "I'll just dawdle around duty-free while everyone else is boarding the plane" traveller. Those passengers who hold up the plane wandering around at their leisure while those of us onboard are fuming. Full marks to the announcer at Auckland International Airport who makes a point of announcing (rather loudly) that the plane is waiting for you "Mr" or "Ms Slow-coach".

* The "quick-I've-gotta-get-off-the-plane" traveller. You know the ones. The plane hasn't even finished taxiing down the runway and they're already queuing at the door. What's the hurry? Do they think they're going to be left behind or something? Besides, unless you have only hand luggage what's the point in rushing if you have to wait at baggage claim? (Usually these are the ones who just held the plane up while they decided whether to get Johnnie Walker or Jim Beam.)

* The "I've forgotten to fill in my travel documents" traveller. You're waiting at immigration with completed documents and the person at the counter hasn't filled in their documents, so you have to wait while they fish around in their bag looking for their passport, pen, glasses, etc. (Most likely the same person who was in a hurry to get off the plane, who was the same person who delayed the plane, etc, etc.) - Rebekah Fitzsimons

* The grafters, bludgers and lurk merchants who screw the airline system for a better, even free, deal.

It starts at check-in. In the wrong queue, claiming their travel agent/booking clerk/airline executive neighbour told them there was always a chance of an upgrade if you asked for one. Doesn't usually work, but they are warming up their act.

Once aboard, watch as they chat up the first cabin crew member they come across, and work their way up to the flight services director demanding an upgrade/better seat/more leg room, deliberately holding up the boarding queue to create as much pressure on decision-making as possible.

If forced to stay in economy, they will demand ever more from the cabin crew, magazines, booze, change of meal order, to the point where they are registered as difficult by all staff. All part of the master plan.

They know from experience that constant carping, grizzling, claiming and complaining does have its rewards, simply to get rid of them. There'll be a promised upgrade on the next flight, maybe, a partial refund, or a first-class gift pack. And that's the irritating part. It is a fact of airline customer service that the squeaky wheel does get the oil. - Craig Saxton

* Passengers waiting in the gate lounge resting their bodies over three or four seats, especially when there are delays to flights. - John Wallace

* The great big sprawling passenger in the next seat who spills out of his space. His knees and elbows are in my space. His excess cabin baggage means his feet are too. When he sleeps, he will drop against me. And it can get worse: I've experienced body odour, a bad chest infection, or a tendency to rob from my purse while thinking I was asleep. - Lyn L. Milnes

* The idiots with boarding passes for row 33, who try to board after the "adults with children only" call, make my blood boil. When you're about to have a 12-hour flight, why do these people want to get on the plane 10 minutes earlier than everyone else? Do they think someone will steal their seat? Or is this related to your luggage gluttons who need to get on early to acquire more than their fair share of locker space