Most of the time, after a long trip, all you want is to see your loved ones' faces—but not when they're behind signs like these. What would you do if you had to go home with someone who publicly embarrassed you beyond the point of recovery?
Short and Sweet
Well, maybe "sweet" isn't an accurate descriptor, but this guy wanted to get straight to the point. To all smokin' hot Italian chicks across the nation: Dan Aykroyd in Blues Brothers has arrived to collect you. Next time, consider hailing a taxi.
Gold Star for Effort
It's the thought that counts, right? "Velcome arawomAANe bRA n oPA" is obviously the same thing as, "Welcome home, Grandma and Grandpa!" If you're fluent in the language of child-speak, you probably deduced that already.
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Who can resist national margarita day? This gentleman honored the holiday by setting up a margarita station in the gate. One thing is for sure—this is definitely a more economical solution than breaking the bank at an airport bar.
They Had an Agreement
Simon and his girlfriend have clearly had some issues in the past when it comes to selfie sticks. Although it remains unclear why or how, exactly, this particular tool was such a detriment to their relationship, Simon just couldn't quick the selfie stick. Hopefully, this incident served as a wake-up call.
Too Much Information
There are certain things that are just... better to keep to oneself. This is one of them. We hope everything is okay, Sarah. At the very least, whoever picked you up from the airport could have put a little bit more thought into the sign. Sharpie on cardboard? Come on.
The Stuff of Nightmares
A+ for effort, but you can't deny that there's something uniquely sinister about this Oompa Loompa getup. Chocolate Johnny better prepare for a real surprise when he steps into the terminal. Caking yourself with bronzer is some serious dedication to the bit.
Point Taken
This Reddit user picked up their cousin from the airport with a sign that read, "Idiot." The sign may have been funny, but this picture is the crowning glory. There are two types of people: those who make the signs, and those who hold them up.
Are You Sure?
Odds are not in favor of Michael Jordan being escorted anywhere by a man holding a sign that he likely crafted in under thirty seconds. The "Michael Jordan" was hanging around baggage claim probably didn't have a lucrative career in professional basketball.
Don't Shoot the Messenger
Kaden is quite the wordsmith for his age. That signature is a true work of art. Thankfully, Dad is home, which means Kaden can go back to his regular baby duties, like being a little cutie. Looks like this new dad has his work cut out for him...
Making Them Feel Special
The airport is certainly the best place to find two adults to call your parents, but it's probably best to check that they aren't total wackos, first. Fortunately, these three seem to be a little old for those sort of shenanigans. If their parents raised such funny kids, they must be pretty cool.
Committed to the Bit
Someone's dad went to great lengths for this sweet joke. Didn't everyone's father make them watch Star Wars at some point during childhood? It's part of the parenting handbook. Rebecca might have been somewhat humiliated, but at least everyone in the airport got the joke.
Say What?
Clearly, being a successful single parent just isn't in the cards for this father of two boys. He put so much time and effort into making this sign... when he could have used that energy to put up a load of wash.
Embarrassing Family
Ah, there's nothing quite like humiliating your kids with embarrassing photos at the airport. The level of dedication exhibited here is impressive on its own. Even though these two don't seem to be thrilled with the sign, they probably still appreciate all the effort that went into making it.
What an A-paw-logy
There's nothing quite like coming home from a long trip only to discover that the dogs ate something they definitely shouldn't be able to digest—for instance, the whole couch. Next time, keep an eye on those pooches. They're basically four-legged weapons of mass destruction.
There Can Only Be One
This is likely some kind of inside joke between this girl and her friend, whom she is presumably collecting from the airport. Hopefully, she knows the sign is for her, because otherwise those are three very general characteristics that likely describe many other people at the airport.
You Found Your People
This is the by far the boldest move you could make at an airport. What choice does their companion have but to approach them, thereby outing their intimate desires? Just kidding. In the event that this sign is truthful, then the lady holding it is a trooper for picking up someone who loves smelly farts.
Inside Joke
Instagram user Chris Chow posted this photo with the caption, "The tradition continues." Although it's extremely unclear what, exactly, this particular tradition is, it appears to involve some very intense arts and crafts. After all, what are friends for, if not humiliating you in public?
Who Has Two Thumbs?
Ten points for creativity. It looks like "this guy" is very excited to have his son and daughter back home. He could have gone any route, but instead, he did the typical dad move, opting to embarrass his children as much as possible. Luckily, this sign is good for more than one occasion—he can use it every time he gets his kids from the airport!
Oh, How The Tables Have Turned
These guys are giving their parents a taste of their own medicine. Usually, it's the other way around, but "Looney Lynn" and "Crazy Craig" will finally know what it's like to be embarrassed by their loved ones at the airport. We know payback when we see it.
Childhood Photos
You know when you're visiting home with a new partner for the first time and your mom thinks it's the perfect time to whip out some old photos? Well, multiply that feeling by twenty, and might begin to understand what Danna is experiencing.
Revenge
Woof. Someone is getting the royal treatment to celebrate their arrival. 132 acts of infidelity is an impressive feat. Whoever wrote the sign is probably right: these two should definitely see other people. Hopefully they made it out with a pretty penny to help start over fresh.
At Least She Warned You
Maybe Sarah can lend her some Imodium. Whoever's getting picked up better hope she's feeling generous enough to crack a window. Godspeed to this brave soul—the next two hours are about to be the worst of your life.
Getting Personal
This guy's neighbor asked him to pick her up from the airport. "I hope she likes the sign I made," he said. We do, too, or else he might become the subject of a public spectacle when she slaps him in the face.
Warm Welcome
What a kind welcome for Jody, who in some way deeply offended this guy. Either that, or he just couldn't bear the thought of Jody spending time in California. Hopefully, the pair were able to reconcile... or she hopped on a flight straight back to the Golden State.
Now That's Commitment
This hilarious dad trolls his daughter every single time he picks her up from the airport. Dad humor is already embarrassing enough, but this takes it to a whole new level. His daughter, Courtney, is studying at school in a different state. This is what she comes home to every single time.
Kind Words
Telling it like it is. They say that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, but sometimes you need to get the point across. Besides, it's more of a self-own if the "noisy pale-faced lady" in question immediately recognizes that the sign is meant for her.
Deeply Displeased
How often do you think this woman is traveling to and from the airport? It must be pretty frequent if she took it upon herself to make this sign. The person she was picking up better get the memo and stop traveling so much, or else they'll be taking an expensive taxi home...
Surprise!
What better way to say "we missed you" than printing out a giant version of your dopiest face and holding it high for all to see? At the bare minimum, Mokie won't be able to miss these two standing in the airport. Welcome home!
Is This Even Legal?
Fortunately, this sign is a joke. This woman is one-half of a couple in a long distance relationship who play a game every time they see one another: who can embarrass the other more at the airport? Robyn lives in Brisbane, Australia, while her boyfriend Crin lives in Melbourne, so they've spent almost every weekend flying to see one another since they started dating in 2018. Very cute.
Getting Honest
At the end of the day, the intention here is very sweet. This woman wanted to show her loved one just how proud of them she was—after all, completing rehab is no walk in the park. But perhaps a public domain isn't the best type of space to get this personal...
Welcome Home
Did this girl... go to the moon? That's the only viable explanation for the bizarre creative choices happening with this sign. Either way, this woman seems pretty thrilled to have returned from space, even if she was welcomed back to Earth with the world's ugliest sign.
Howdy, Lover
"I like to embarass my friends when I pick them up at the airport," wrote Reddit user Reemusk. "I'm on the left." This one very special way to welcome your buddy home after a trip. He seems thrilled to be back, too.
Feeling Flirty
This is an effective way to let your crush know that you missed them. Hopefully their creativity paid off and they got a big smooch as a reward. There's nothing wrong with a little airport romance.
Confrontational
Jeez, what's with the attitude, little man? Passive-aggressive, much? At least he took the time to color in the letters. If you're going to insult someone, do it with flair.
Meeting the Parents
This man is waiting for his daughter and her boyfriend in the terminal, but there's a catch—they've never met before. An interesting way to assert your authority... we hope these guys didn't get off on the wrong foot.
May the Force Be With You
These guys really went all out for this practical joke. We've got a team of Stormtroopers waiting for Vader, their leader, who apparently donned all that gear on the plane. It's a miracle that any of them got through TSA.
Surprise
Welcome home! Your sister is pregnant. Perhaps the most important question to ask here: which one of these guys is the father? Either way, Matt probably wasn't expecting for his sister to be... expecting.
Unique Name
Mr. Hugh Jarse? Calling Mr. Hugh Jarse! This probably isn't a real name, but if it is then, then poor Mr. Jarse. Imagine growing up with a name that is, within itself, fodder for bullying. Whether or not the class is laughing, this guy certainly isn't.
Going Too Far
Was the dad bringing home a new girlfriend or were his kids just trying to pull a mean prank on their mom? You really have to think outside the box. Just so you know, the other side of this sign says, "Fifth time's the charm."
Love From the Extended Family
There are several backstories at work here. Either this guy is a brother-in-law playing a practical joke, or he's very, very unhappy with the idea of becoming an uncle. The art of subtlety is strong with this one.
Save Us!
This is one way to get on the right side of things with your soon-to-be in-laws. Hopefully they have a sense of humor, or else this woman might be in hot water for a while. As long as they find the sign funny, everyone will be one big, happy family for a very long time.
Inconspicuous
It's not particularly likely, but maybe this guy really was waiting for the world-famous whistleblower. Or maybe he's just a funny guy with a good sense of humor. Whoever he was really waiting for probably got a kick out of this silly stunt.
Zero Tact
The placement of those two balloons was a bit unfortunate, but he definitely got the message across. If this sign wasn't a joke, hopefully, the person had a successful recovery from their operation!
Lost Dave
Boyfriends are utterly useless unless they give you permission to embarrass them at every opportunity. If anyone sees Dave roaming around the airport, please approach with caution. He's lost and confused and he just wants to go home.
That One Friend
When Sam returned home from family vacation, he was looking forward to seeing his two closest buddies at the airport—but he really should have known better than to assume they would let him off easy. Now everyone at the airport thinks Sam spent time behind bars. That's what friends are for, right?
Awkward Moment
If someone is coming to the airport with this sign, you better practice your poker face in advance. It's a little immature, but sometimes, you can't help but laugh at silly pranks like this. Besides, what if she just means scratching your head?
When You Missed the Memo
Somebody skipped out on craft night and had to come up with a last-minute sign. The arts probably aren't in her future, but at least she showed up on time. After all, she had 296 days to prepare.
Not Quite
This would be an adorable photo if only for one crucial fact: these guys are camped out at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Ha-ha, very funny, guys. The sign might have been even better if it read, "Welcome to Moscow, Russia."
Reporting for Booty
There's nothing better than being reuinted with a loved one, especially if they were once in harm's way. You can only maintain a relationship so well via texting and FaceTime. We're sure that Officer A. Neal is happy to be home and reporting for "booty."
What A Compliment
When Tinder fails, head to the airport and pick up the man of your dreams. Or, in this case, the two hottest guys of your dreams. We just hope that she's not talking about her brother or her dad.
One Lucky Guy
If this is a real proposal, maybe it would have benefitted this guy to go the extra mile and oh, who knows, have an actual sign made? Cardboard and Sharpie just won't cut it these days. Even if they're just friends, Tom is a lucky guy to have someone who cares about him this much.
Brotherly Shenanigans
One Imgur user posted this photo of his brother holding this neon green poster with the caption, "Ever want to punch your little brother before?" It turns out that the sign was a bit misleading...
"This [expletive] was holding this high over his head as I came down the escalator," he wrote. "I've never been to rehab. I flew from Texas to California to visit him after his 4th or 5th deplohment. He's active duty AF."
That's what brothers are for, right?
The Single One
This family really is willing to push the envelope when it comes to getting their only remaining "single one" a date. That dog is definitely a babe magnet. Is "nephew" in reference to her dog or the baby?
De-Briefing
Doing long distance is already hard enough as it is, but a military LDR is even harder. These couples often go long periods of time without seeing one another at all. This woman's clever sign is sure to reignite the chemistry between them.
She Knew
The sign might seem a little vague, but if you're the mother of this particular family, we're sure you already knew exactly who this sign was for. Missed opportunity: they could have written "Finish" on the banner and made her run through it.
Chivalry Isn't Dead
This is what happens when you forget their name in the morning. Not entirely sure why there's an ostritch head hanging out in the corner, but to each their own. They'll live happily ever after.
In Your Eyes
If you don't have Peter Gabriel on hand, this is the next best thing. This iconic stance first appeared in 1989's Say Anything; the boombox scene is the pinnacle of '80s romance. This guy knew exactly what he was doing.
No Exceptions
It doesn't matter who, when, where, or why. Everyone knows the rule. For those who haven't had the opportunity to be "iced," consider yourselves lucky. "Icing" occurs when one person hides a Smirnoff Ice and presents it to another person at any given time. The other participant must take a knee and chug the whole thing as fast as they can.
Maybe Call an Uber...
No matter how much you like the band, you'd have to be crazy to take a ride in the "death cab" with anyone. Still, this guy claims he promised his friends he'd arrive to pick them up from the Seattle airport with an embarrassing sign. Here he is at 1:16 a.m. It looks like he delivered.
Pardon Me?
One can only assume this is a pet name that he has for his girlfriend—or else she really had a tough time filling out a Scantron. Princess Consuela Banana-Squeegie McBeckenheim III is quite the mouthful. Hopefully, she takes his last name.
What's The Truth?
It's hard to discern whether this man is her husband, boyfriend, father, or if he's really her sugar daddy. Either way, the pair seem thrilled to have been reunited. Get that money, girl!
The Queen Has Arrived
The daughter and the husband of the family matriarch humbly await her arrival. The signs would be sweeter if Dad's didn't warn of impending chaos back at the castle. When the Queen surveys her kingdom, it should be sparkling clean.
Dan Gleeballs
Somewhere out there is a man called Dan Gleeballs, but odds are, he wasn't really the one for whom this sign was meant. The sign looks pretty official, though... Will the real Dan Gleeballs please stand up?
Get out of Their Way!
There's no love like the unconditional love that a grandma has for her grandkids, and this is no exception. These adorable tykes were so excited to see their grandma at the airport that they even came prepared with a warning sign. Get out of the way, they will run to hug her!
Nemo's Been Found
After hours and hours, Nemo finally made it back home. This mom's adorable sign for her traveling daughter is cute enough to warm even the coldest of hearts. Mother was waiting for her all along!