Traveling by plane can be hard. Even though it’s the world’s fastest way to get from one place to another, the process itself is really long. Your day might start early. You have to get up and make your way to the airport. Then the whole rigamarole of going through security begins. You have to take your shoes off or even go through an extra layer of security.
On the plane, you’ll sit in a cramped seat and hope you can get a nap in to kill the time. The person beside you probably wants to chat, while the individual behind you is kicking your seat.
But it’s all okay because you know at the end of your trip, you’ll be warmly greeted by your family.
By the time you make your way off the plane, you’re probably too tired to think of anything more than getting back home with your loved ones.
Of course, if your friends or family are picking you up, that means they might just make a sign to greet you. Sure, it could be a nice sign…but it also might be one that’s a little more embarrassing. Here are 70 of the best signs people spotted at the airport.
1. It’s nice to know they’ll always support her
In case you were wondering, their mom went on a trip out of town, not to prison. But that didn’t stop her family from giving her a very public welcome home present. She’s unlikely to forget it any time soon.
This guy arrived in style to pick up his wife from the airport. She was coming home from a business trip with her boss and coworkers, who were amused to see her greeted like this.
3. Parents find so many ways to embarrass their kids
Isn’t it exciting to fly by yourself for the first time? This girl might be seen as an adult by the airline, but to her dad, she’s still a kid he can embarrass.
4. That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen
How do you make everyone in the airport smile: bring your kid along to greet her grandparents after taking a trip. Let her make her own welcome sign. Just look how excited she is!
5. He knows what she really needs after a flight
Some parents are the best at knowing exactly what their kids need. But even they won’t greet their adult child at the airport with ingredients for margaritas. Talk about amazing service!
This guy’s friend goes by the name “Chocolate Johnny” and actually owns a chocolate factory in Australia. If there was ever a reason to dress up like an Oompa-Loompa, this is it!
7. You’ve got to face facts
This guy was waiting to pick up his brother-in-law who was returning from deployment with the Air Force for the birth of his son. The sign isn’t wrong, but it’s sure an awkward way to phrase it.
When you have a significant other who’s in the military, you may have to endure long months away from one another. This woman had an interesting way of welcoming her husband home after deployment.
9. He’s not getting paid enough
Metal bands are known for having some odd and sometimes disturbing names. This guy had the unfortunate task of picking up the members of a band with this name.
When this guy went to the airport to pick up his big brother, he decided to make him a welcome home sign. Of course, he had to embellish the story just a little as to where he’d been. Thanks a lot, bro.
11. I’m not this close to my neighbor
When this guy’s neighbor asked him to give her a ride from the airport, he decided to go the extra mile and make her a sign. This is the one he went with.
12. This one required cooperation
They say no matter how old you get, you’re still your parents’ baby. This woman proved that theory when she picked her “baby” up at the airport and made him walk under her left arm.
When these three siblings had to go pick their parents up at the airport at the crack of dawn, they decided to have a little bit of fun with them. They arrived with this sign and some very convincing expressions.
14. Just like that, everyone was on her side
This woman had a unique way of breaking up with her significant other when he arrived home, presumably after a military deployment of some kind. I’m cringing out of my skin, but this person definitely deserved it.
For some families, one parent or the other is the one that generally keeps things under control, and often, it’s Mom. While these boys’ mother was out of town, they ran a bit wild.
After his brother was gone a whole year while attending a university, this guy had an interesting way of welcoming him home. Why write a sign when you can blow up a giant picture of your brother’s face?
He was pretty pumped about Steven and Taylor being home and he made a sign to prove it The little thumbs gesturing to his own face really take it to the next level.
18. How to disappoint everyone
This father caused a stir with his sign when he went to pick up his son at the airport. Passersby were pretty unhappy to see who actually turned up. That’s how to make everyone hate you without saying a word.
19. Important information
We don’t have the context here, but it sure is an in-your-face way to share the news. I wonder how Matt’s sister felt about all this.
20. I just want you to be prepared
Dogs aren’t always well-behaved when their owners are away from home. In fact, they might act out in many ways — such as eating furniture. Just take it as a compliment.
21. She probably needed that before the flight.
Sarah was being picked up by someone she’d never met — namely, her best friend’s new boyfriend. Suffice it to say, he wanted to make a great first impression.
22. Did she go to Mexico?
President Donald Trump’s push to build a wall along the United States’ border with Mexico has led to a lot of tongue-in-cheek jokes. But clearly, the wall is no match for sisterly love.
23. That enthusiasm leaves something to be desired
This couple clearly enjoys dark humor, which not everyone thinks is funny! But it’s actually pretty hilarious because I’m sure he’s very happy to have her home — and, you know, alive.
24. Of the Boston Jarses?
This is a classic double entendre name (say it five times fast if you don’t get it), so the guy is probably meeting a friend. The alternative is that there really is someone out there named Hugh Jarse.
25. That’s charming, indeed
This girl wanted to do something to spice up her parents’ arrival at the airport so she made them this thoughtful sign. It probably got them out of there pretty quickly, too!
26. She’s not mincing words
Having a spouse deployed in the military can be really difficult. You miss out on a lot of things so it’s no wonder this was on her mind. Those leave babies have to come from somewhere!
27. Was he wearing a kilt?
Some people are awfully proud of their Scottish heritage and this guy is no different! So, of course, he was greeted at the airport with a special sign uniquely describing him.
28. He’ll be there for you
If you don’t recognize this reference, you might not be a “Friends” fan. I guess if he was greeting Princess Consuela, then that would make him Mr. Crap Bag.
29. They chose some great photos
If you really want to embarrass your brother and sister-in-law when picking them up from the airport, put a bunch of goofy photos of them on a sign! At least it’ll make their real faces look good in comparison.
30. Don’t smile, don’t smile, don’t smile…
This person wasn’t calling someone out specifically with the sign but they were pranking everyone who walked by. That’s one way to get yourself noticed (and kill some time at the airport)!
You usually see people’s names on signs at the airport but this guy’s sign said something different. Word’s still out on whether this strategy was successful at landing him a date.
32. I think he prefers Alice
This pickup was for someone who goes by their social media name Random Citizen but it does look pretty funny written on a sign. It puts a new meaning on your mom’s warning not to give rides to strangers.
Judging by the amused looks from other people on the terminal, I’m not the only one who wants to know the story behind this bizarre break-up sign. Am I horrible for hoping it’s not just a prank?
34. You asked – you received
When their friend asked to be greeted at the airport with a sign, this person complied. Remember, always be specific when giving instructions to your friends with a twisted sense of humor.
35. They say it doesn’t fall far
Here’s a sweet and creative version of the airport greeting sign. When this woman’s mother flew in to visit for the weekend, her daughter greeted her with a play on “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
36. At least he said they were cute
This guy must’ve been pretty bored going to pick up friends from the airport at 1:15 in the morning. No wonder he decided to spend some time designing this sign!
If you take a second look at that name, you’ll notice something odd about it. Those poor pickup drivers must get stuff like that all the time.
38. Straight to the point
When Mom returned from a trip out of town, she was greeted by her husband and daughter who had some custom signs for her. Of course, they had different messages.
39. Hope he knows her name
This is kind of cute, assuming it’s his wife or girlfriend that he’s trying to surprise. It would be a little less romantic if he was falling back on descriptors because he didn’t know her name.
40. At least she can laugh at herself
There’s nothing like the love between cousins. When this girl arrived at the airport, she found her cousin waiting for her with a custom sign. Thankfully, she was all too happy to strike a pose with it.
If you’re single, you probably know how hard it can be to meet people. This guy has gone past singles groups, matchmaking services, and dating apps. He’s just going to the airport with a sign to see if he strikes gold.
42. You’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em|
These mischievous siblings aimed to embarrass their parents while picking them up at the airport. So, they found some unflattering photos and blew them up with captions.
43. Was she looking for more than one?
Here’s an unusual sign from a girl who was waiting for her boyfriend. There’s nothing like a welcome home sign that’s also a big prank! She probably earned some stares from passersby, too.
44. That’s too much information
Hopefully, this person was greeting someone who they knew by sight. Honestly, most people could probably respond to this nickname. I don’t want to meet strangers based on this information!
45. She made it over the wall
This girl’s boyfriend decided to greet her in the name of a politician that she REALLY doesn’t like. Nothing like welcoming her back to the country with a reminder of her favorite things!
46. That doesn’t narrow it down very much
Didn’t this person’s mother ever teach them if they couldn’t say anything nice then they shouldn’t say anything at all? But her smile says it was all done in love.
47. At least they’re easy to spot
What’s the best way to let your friend know you missed him while he was gone? How about making a poster describing him like a lost pet, complete with silly pictures?
48. But then every mom will turn around
Remember when you were on the playground as a kid and you yelled, “Mommy, look?” Every mom looked up to see if you were talking to them. This guy is going to have the same problem!
49. When your dad knows his slang
Something about this tells me the sister, not the dad, was largely responsible for the sign. Chalk it up to the Gen Z slang, sequins, and talking about eyebrows.
There’s nothing like tricking someone into responding to a goofy name. His face looks a little less than amused. After all, that’s no way to talk to a property owner!
51. How many people responded?
This is a dangerous sign to bring to an airport. It’ll be sweet for the person it’s intended for, but you’re bound to have about 20 weirdos who try to jump in there, too.
When this guy found out he’d be picking his brother up from the airport, he knew he had to prepare. This was his heartfelt message of welcome.
53. She’s tired of those airport runs
When you spend a lot of time apart from your significant other, it can really get old. Clearly, this woman struggles with the long-distance thing and hopes she doesn’t have to come back to the airport for a while!
54. She probably knew it when she saw it
I get the feeling the moment their mom saw this sign, she knew it was meant for her. Who else would be annoying all the other people at baggage claim but her own kids?
55. Well, as long as THEY’RE saying it
Here’s one of those words you shouldn’t call anyone unless you’ve established that you mean it in love. We’ll never know the interpretation behind the colors, unfortunately.
56. Sometimes they never grow up
Every child grows up and becomes more independent until they don’t need you to take care of them anymore. Well, except this guy who showed up at the airport to get his parents wearing footie pajamas and holding this sign.
I’m going to assume that’s not really her sugar daddy, but she made the sign just to draw attention. Either way, they look pretty happy to see one another!
58. Is that your grocery list?
You’ll see some pretty odd “names” on pickup signs at the airport. This one is a prime example. Either she’s picking up a rap artist or it’s an inside joke that we’re not part of.
You might recognize this guy as Eric Stonestreet who played Cameron on “Modern Family.” When the cast filmed in Australia, he greeted them at the airport with this sign.
Sometimes, the signs you see at the airport aren’t just funny, but also incredibly sweet. Personally, I would’ve stuck around to watch this reunion from afar. Is that creepy?
This guy was just going to pick up a friend, but he decided to attract some attention with a very public proposal. Everyone knows that proposing in public is a bad idea!
I’m not going to lie — I have some questions about this one. Aside from a husband or significant other, who else is she going to describe as “hot?” I don’t feel comfortable with any of the options.
63. Let’s get down to business
When you’re waiting for your loved one to get home, it’s agony to go through the process of everything at the airport — the traffic, the parking, the waiting at baggage claim. This right here is all you really want.
“Welcome home from rehab” is just about as popular as “Welcome home from jail” on joking airport signs. But these sneaky kids took it to the next level because they just happened to be greeting their grandma.
If you can’t quite read that sign, here’s what it says: “What was juvie like? Did you have fun?” I’m assuming the person he’s greeting wasn’t in juvenile detention. I’m also assuming he thinks he’s hilarious.
66. How to make your mom blush
When this guy needed to go pick his mom up at the airport, he decided to have a little bit of fun with her. That’s one way to get people to stare as you walk by!
67. Picking your friend up on Christmas Eve
This guy went all out when he had to pick up his friend from the airport on Christmas Eve. Sure, his sign alone isn’t much, but combined with that wrapping paper suit he’s the whole package. Pun intended.
68. But she lost about seven pounds in one day
One of the hardest parts about military deployment is you may be forced to miss big family events, like the birth of a child. This baby’s meeting their dad for the first time and Mom has a sassy sign to mark the occasion.
Even though it’s a joke that’s often repeated at the baggage claim, it’s the little details that make these signs worth seeing. In this case, it’s the little “Hugs, not drugs!” in the corner.
70. There’s always time for a dad joke
This dad decided to make a very public declaration of support for his son while picking him up from a flight. The only issue was that his son was straight and Dad was just trying to cause a stir.
