DALLAS, TX – There’s a new trend sweeping the nation.

Pickleball enthusiasts in airports are taking paddles and balls from their carry-on luggage and dinking while awaiting flights.

You've got to appreciate the resourcefulness of these travelers, who are making good use of the available space at vacant gates to work on a key aspect of their game. 

The airport line barriers are even serving as makeshift nets...

Posts and tweets popped up all over Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) with people marveling over this strange trend, and the reception has been brutal to say the least.

I never thought I’d have to write this, but please don’t play pickleball in the airport.

I love pickleball and I’m an advocate for all things pickleball, but this trend simply doesn't make us look good.

Friends, traveling is infuriating enough.

It takes me weeks to mentally prepare myself before heading to the airport knowing what’s to come... the waiting in lines, the inherent stress that’s pumped into the air vents, and the potential for a pat-down during TSA screening.

There’s also making sure you emptied your water bottle out before going through security – and if you forgot, you’ll get to spend at least 10 minutes trying to figure out how on earth you’re going to reorganize everything you meticulously packed after sitting on top of the suitcase to cram everything in.

Not to mention constantly looking at the time to make sure you’re ahead of schedule, and checking your email and texts to see if your flight spontaneously got moved up or changed departure gates.

Then, you’re weaving through families who choose to stand in the middle of the walkway while people sprint by to make their connecting flight. Everyone's in a bad mood. Babies are crying, people are walking too slow, everyone is confused, and we’re all unhappy about the overpriced water.

Flying. Is. A. Pain.

And then there’s the familiar pop-pop-pop sound that’s music to our ears, and a nauseating, triggering, blood boiling sound to others.

As shocking as this may seem, pickleball has some haters - some avid, aggressive haters who are definitely no fun at parties. And instead of giving the haters all the ammo they need to hate pickleball and its players, just don’t do it. Be courteous to your fellow flyers.

Playing pickleball at a gate may alleviate your stress, but it quadruples the anxiety for everyone around you.

And it’s only going to end in disaster. It’s just a matter of time before one of these haters has had enough and you’ll go viral on social media after getting the dink beat out of you.

Just don’t do it. It’s not worth it.

Be a good airport neighbor. Save your dinking for the court.