Athlete sparks furious debate about airport etiquette

It’s something we’re all guilty of doing at the airport, but the “infuriating” act has been called out by an athlete who described it as his ultimate “ick”.

US Paralympian and TikTok star Hunter Woodhall has called out people who congregate around the baggage carousel at an airport — describing it as his ultimate “ick”.

The 24-year-old track and field athlete secretly filmed a bunch of people gathered around a carousel at a US airport after having returned form a trip to Europe with his wife, Tara Davis — also a track and field runner.

“Can we all agree to publicly shame anybody who does this?” he began the clip as he zoomed in on travellers eager to get their bags.

US Paralympian Hunter Woodhall said his ultimate ‘ick’ is people who gather around the baggage carousel at an airport. Picture: TikTok/hunterwoodhall

“Your bag’s not even there yet. You don’t have to be sooo close,” he ranted.

Hunter captioned the post: “Maybe it’s just me. But definite ick.”

His TikTok has sparked a heated debate about airport etiquette and whole many have sided with him, others completely disagreed.

After returning home from a trip to Europe, he filmed travellers in the act at a US airport. Picture: TikTok/hunterwoodhall

His clip sparked a heated debate about airport etiquette. Picture: TikTok/hunterwoodhall

“This is one of my biggest peeves at airports. People glue their legs to the conveyor belt and you are buggered if your case comes past!” one woman wrote.

“Some airports even have a line for you to stand behind but no one pays attention,” she continued.

“Stand back, spot bag, move forward and get bag! Easy!”

Hunter married his long-term girlfriend and fellow track and field athlete Tara Davis in 2020. Picture: Instagram

One traveller said they stand in the back until they see their bag approaching.

“And then I push people out of the way,” they joked.

“You know what's even crazier?? The look they give you when you say “excuse me” to grab your bag that’s finally there!” said another.

@hunterwoodhall

Went to explore the Coliseum 🏟️ and got way more than we bargained for. Best thing you can do at the coliseum apartenly is being disabled. As crazy as this day was, I felt really proud of Rome taking care of the disabled community in that way. Shorter lines, accessible for all and just an overall geeat experience

♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box - takaya

Others agreed it infuriates them. However, some fired back, defending the carousel hoggers.

“I don’t agree, travellers are on time frames. Everyone who wants to wait it out can do so

“I secure my spot the rest of you can wait your turn!” said another.

Another suggested that the crowding problem might be due to everyone’s luggage looking “exactly the same” and people not wanting to accidentally grab the wrong bag.

Meanwhile, one viewer was furious Hunter posted the clip.

“To be honest this video disappoints me. Nobody should be publicly shamed,” they wrote.

Hunter often shares his travel experiences with his 2.8 million TikTok followers with his clips having amassed a total of 119.6 million views.

In another clip he thanked the City of Rome for “taking care of the disabled community” after a visit to the Coliseum.

The 24-year-old was born with fibular hemimelia and had both legs amputated as a child.

Fibular hemimelia is a birth defect that results in the partial or total absence of the fibula.

despite being told he may never walk again, he went on to become a four-time world medallist.

He won a bronze medal in the Men’s 400m T62 at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

In October 2022, he married longtime girlfriend and Olympian Tara Davis and as of June this year, the pair had been travelling.