A recent survey involving over 12,000 fathers sheds light on the realities of dads traveling with their families, distinguishing between popular beliefs and actual behaviors.
We’re all familiar with the classic image of the traveling dad: the stressed-out father who threatens to turn the car around during a road trip (even when you’re hours from home), the dad obsessively organizing the trunk as if he’s in a game of Tetris, and the overly cautious dad who arrives at the airport five hours ahead of schedule. These familiar archetypes are part of our collective experience.
In a study conducted by The Dad, data scientist and father Martin Flores analyzed the findings, which included some amusing insights and undeniable truths. One startling revelation is that 30 percent of dads have genuinely turned the car around during a trip — it’s not just an empty threat! So, kids, it might be time to settle down back there.
The Familiar Phrases of Dad Travel
From real life to sitcoms, we recognize the classic lines dads love to use on road trips. It’s almost as if the moment the wheel was invented, a dad exclaimed, “You should have gone to the bathroom before we left!” It’s a rite of passage. It’s in their DNA.
So how do these iconic phrases measure up in reality? The survey revealed that 77.4 percent of dads often remark, “Glad we’re not going that way” to dodge traffic, while 67.6 percent enjoy saying, “People don’t know how to drive in this town!” When packing the car, 70.5 percent of dads confidently declare, “That’s not going anywhere,” whether they’re securing a kayak or luggage. And before departing, nearly half of dads will enthusiastically suggest that you “rock and roll.” If you’re driving cross-country, don’t expect to pass horses without dad pointing them out — this happens 64 percent of the time.
It’s not shocking that 54 percent of dads have threatened to turn the car around at some point, but the fact that 30 percent have actually done it was a surprising twist — let’s hope they weren’t heading anywhere particularly exciting!
Dad: The Airport Arrival Expert
Everyone dislikes running late, but what about being so early that you end up waiting outside the airport until security opens? This has happened to many of us. The survey found that most dads prefer to arrive at the airport two hours before their flight. Another 14 percent require three hours or more, with a uniquely dad-like three percent arriving four hours or more early. We’re concerned about the 17 percent who only need an hour or less — please don’t inform our dads about that.
Dads and Waiting
Finally, the survey explored how long dads have to wait for their kids to exit the car. The results were quite balanced between “not long at all,” a mere minute, and two or more minutes. We’d love to connect with parents whose kids bolt out of the car — what’s your secret? Is it the threat of turning the car around?
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Summary
A new survey of over 12,000 dads reveals that 30% of fathers have genuinely turned the car around during trips, debunking the myth that it’s just a threat. The survey also highlights common dad phrases during travel, airport arrival habits, and waiting times for children.
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