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Summary of article:
When a citizen traveling to the United States flew to the United States, he saw a significant increase in middle-aged and elderly travelers. He lamented that foreign families have become “migratory birds” and that their parents travel across the ocean as their children start families. It has also sparked discussion around family visits, caregiving and health issues.
United States residentlittle red book Netizen “It’s Icy” recently flew to the United States and found that nearly 80% of the passengers on the plane were middle-aged and elderly people over 50 years old. This was a far cry from the scene where the plane was filled with young students studying abroad in the past. He lamented that at the time, it was their children who crossed the Pacific Ocean for their studies and future, but now their children have settled abroad, while their aging parents are living “life like a migratory bird”, traveling between their hometown and the city where their children live.
Aisi recalled that when she was an international student, she would travel between China and the United States every time school started or during summer vacations. Most of the passengers on board the plane were young people who were in a hurry to get back to school or home for the holidays. Now that she is no longer subject to the time constraints of winter and summer holidays and takes flights during regular hours, the passengers she meets have become a different group of people. He estimated that the children of many middle-aged and elderly travelers had already worked or settled in the United States. The trip may be to visit relatives, help care for grandchildren, or they may be preparing to live abroad for several months.
He described it as if time had created chaos. When they were young, their children would cross the ocean to pursue their studies and careers, while their parents stayed in their hometown to take care of them. As their children got married and started businesses, their parents grew up and began crossing oceans frequently. A flight of more than ten hours with time difference and unfamiliar language environment is not easy for the elderly. However, when the children are away and the foundation of life still remains in their hometown, if they want to maintain reunion, someone must complete this long journey.
This article was liked by many foreign families. Some netizens said that parents live in two places for half a year every year. In addition to helping take care of their grandchildren, they can also visit with their children and travel as a family. Some people believe that bringing parents along is not just to help take care of children, but it may also be because children want to take care of the elders around them, which is two-way companionship. Other travelers have noticed that air tickets are generally cheaper during non-winter and summer holidays, and there are no fixed holiday restrictions for retirees, so it is easier to see elderly travelers during normal periods.
Comfort on long haul flights has also been the focus of discussion. Some netizens believe that economy class is cheaper as long as they prepare waist support, refill water in time, and get up and move around. However, some people share that as their parents get older, they gradually find it difficult to sit for long periods of time, so they can only purchase business class seats that allow them to lie flat and relax. A message also reminds that if the elderly have chronic diseases, a history of blood clots, or limited mobility, they should check with a doctor before departure to confirm whether they are suitable for long-haul flights. If they feel uncomfortable during the journey then they should not tolerate it.
However, not all middle-aged and elderly passengers aboard the plane are caring for their children or grandchildren. A person may travel to the United States to travel, visit friends, or engage in caregiving work. Motive cannot be inferred on the basis of age alone. Some elders also acknowledged that although the United States has a vast environment and natural landscapes, after living for a long time they may face problems such as language barriers, lack of social interaction, and dependence on their children. Therefore, they are more suitable for short-term visits to relatives rather than permanent settlement.
Summary FAQ
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The author recalls that when he was studying abroad, most of the people on the plane were young students going back to school and on vacation. Now, when he flies, he sees a large number of passengers above 50 years of age. As a result, she felt time had been displaced, with her children studying abroad and her parents frequently visiting relatives across the ocean.
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The article explains that these travelers may be coming to the United States to visit their children, help care for grandchildren, or plan to stay for a few months; Some people may simply travel, visit friends, or even go to work as caregivers, and this is not necessarily related to family reunification.
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The focus of the discussion was on whether economy class is comfortable, whether it is necessary to go to business class and whether the elderly should consult a doctor first if they have chronic diseases or a history of blood clots. Some people also believe that long-term residents in the United States may face problems such as language, social interaction, and dependence on children.
