I'd be even more thankful, if...

David J. Danto

Travel thoughts in my own, personal opinion

eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on

I’d Be Even More Thankful, If… – November 2025

We all live in a world that’s both wonderful and terrible. I could spend the next five years listing out all the wondrous things that we’re blessed to have, and probably the same amount of time listing all the horrific things we’re faced with on an almost daily basis.

This blog is for neither one of those. As we head into the holiday season – celebrating family and the sense of wonder that this time of year brings – I wanted to make a list of the small things that I would be even more thankful for. These aren’t the great challenges facing humanity. I’d give anything to see those solved. This is a list of the tiny little issues that would be so easy to fix yet somehow continue to make our lives just a little more annoying every day.

If death by a thousand pinpricks is a real thing, it would be nice if we could get rid of some of these…(um)…pricks.

Shrinkflation
I’ve had allergies my entire life, which means tissues are basically my emotional support animal. My trusty Kleenex cube used to be a dependable companion. Now my family room box opens on Monday and needs replacing by Tuesday. Those boxes used to have well over a hundred tissues. Today they’re practically souvenir-sized. If you want to experience true frustration, try feeling a sneeze coming on and realizing the tissue box you opened yesterday is already empty.
Cord Cutting – The Sequel
Remember when cord cutting felt like liberation? We told cable companies to take a long walk off a short pier and proudly curated our own streaming freedoms. We’d pay for only what we wanted – and we were promised no commercials. Fast-forward to today and the $2.99 and $3.99 services are now fifteen to twenty bucks each, bundled against our will, stuffed with unskippable ads, and somehow more confusing than the cable grid we fled from. So remind me again – what was the point of cutting that cord?
Credit Cards
Have you seen the TV ads for credit cards lately? (What’s in your wallet?) They have famous actors tap-dancing through production numbers that look like they borrowed a Hollywood effects and location budget. Who do you think is paying for those ads? Here’s a hint – you. Merchant fees are through the roof, rewards keep shrinking, and we’re all underwriting a marketing spectacle nobody asked for.
Hotel Housekeeping Timelines And Support
Remember when a hotel room was magically cleaned while you were out exploring? Now housekeeping shows up exactly when you’ve just stepped back into the room with lunch, or after you’ve settled into the world’s most inconvenient mid-day nap. And if you do need fresh towels, you’re told to scan a QR code, answer four survey questions, and wait anywhere from one hour to “we close at 5.” Or, you can always pick up the phone and call the automated AI attendant that is programmed to support a whole three activities, none of which are the ones you need.
Airline Boarding Logic
If aliens ever land and want to understand human irrationality, just show them an airline boarding process. Zones, pre-zones, elite-elite-plus zones, people who boarded early because they once glanced at the airline’s credit card – it’s chaos. And once onboard everyone’s still standing in the aisle performing overhead-bin Tetris like there’s a trophy involved because the airlines are now charging for the privilege of losing your checked bag.
Hotel Room Light Switches
It’s 2025 and I can fly across the country in a few hours, chat from an airplane, and pay for groceries with my watch. But I still walk into hotel rooms where figuring out which switch controls which lamp requires a PhD in architectural electric controls. If hotel rooms need a sign to tell you which switch does what, or, more likely, a scavenger hunt to turn the lights off, something has gone terribly wrong.
Apps That Think They’re Your Employer
Somewhere along the way, every app decided it needed to send you 14 notifications a day, demand your attention, track your location, score your behavior, and try to “gamify” your existence. I don’t need a badge for remembering to drink water, and I don’t need a reminder that “You haven’t opened the app in a while.” Maybe that’s because the app…is not my boss.

These are small things – first-world irritations in a world that has real struggles. I know the difference. But as we head into the holidays, I hope we all get a little more space from the pinpricks and a lot more time with the people who make our lives meaningful.

Here’s wishing you moments of calm, joy, laughter, and the warmth of family.

After decades of candid travel commentary – from loyalty program “magic tricks” to hotel check-in roulette – I’ve decided to turn some of that honesty into apparel. These aren’t novelty shirts; they’re the exact truths every road warrior wishes they could say out loud. Whether you’re quietly muttering “My loyalty points devalued while you read this shirt” or admitting “If delays build character then I’m the whole movie’s cast” you’ll find plenty of familiar sentiments… and more. Everything is produced by a reputable outfit, with black tees that work under a sport jacket plus hoodies and wicking travel gear for life on the road. The site also has my honest and snarky takes on technology trade shows. Take a look at Tinyurl.com/TechAndTravelWear. Even if you’re not buying they’re fun to read and commiserate – and if you do buy something, maybe I’ll break even. If you want a style you don’t see, just email me and I’ll add it.

This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions.

All image and links provided above as reference under prevailing fair use statutes.

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As always, feel free to write and comment, question or disagree. Hearing from the traveling community is always a highlight for me. Thanks!