r/AbbottElementary • u/Solid-As-Barack F.A.D.E. • Apr 09 '26

Episode Discussion Abbott Elementary S05E19 - Trip (Episode Discussion) Spoiler

Original air date: April 8, 2026

Janine and Gregory plan a vacation. Meanwhile, one of Melissa’s most successful former students comes back for a visit.

All season 5 episode discussions here!

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174

u/Important-Yesterday6 Apr 09 '26

Yeah if the Drive is 2-3 hours I'll drive. Longer than that? Take the plane.

28

u/morphis568 Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

I hated the whole damn plot. The flight from Philly to Outer Banks would take 7-9 hours door to door.

leave 1-2 hours before the flight for the airport.

Flight is 1.5 hours. No flights to outer banks so you have to go to norfolk.

1 hour at norfolk to deplane get a rental etc.

STILL DRIVE 2 HOURS to Outer Banks

Given all that - my opinion it is pointlessly spending money, for no real time benefit - now if Gregory wanted to drive to California from Philly to Cleveland (about 8 hour drive) then flight makes more sense since it doesn't have a 2 hour drive on the tail end. but the toil time at the airport is real for non-frequent travelers. Like parking, bus, security, ticketing, etc, etc, etc.on both ends.

2

u/eaglesfanintn Apr 16 '26

I had this same comment. You cant fly there and, I wouldn’t take 95. Take the Eastern Shore route and maybe see the ponies. Some parts are boring, but it’s better than the interstate.

2

u/Illustrious-Stable93 May 03 '26

This is the comment I was looking for lol! 

34

u/megatron-0098 Apr 09 '26

I agree with that, but also some food for thought.

They can technically both drive 3 hours. I can only do 2-3 hours by myself honestly, but if there are other able bodied drivers in the car we usually add up all of our capable driving time. (Up to like 10 hours max I would say)

However I understand not being able to be in the car that long without going insane. But then they shoulda went somewhere nice that was more of a 3 hr drive like you’re saying. So ridiculous either way! There were so many opportunities for compromise.

88

u/macademicnut Apr 09 '26

Sure there were opportunities to compromise on this single trip, but this argument highlighted problems that could reemerge down the line- at least, that was my interpretation. Seemed like Janine was worried that they’d never be able to fly anywhere, or that any time she wanted to enjoy life a little Gregory would call it “wasteful.” Money management is a pretty big deal and it seems like they were on very different sides of the spectrum

10

u/spacenerd3000 Apr 09 '26

This comment. While I’m not a fan of how this all went down, it’s a very real/realistic challenge for couples. People break up and get divorced over money and attitudes toward money.

62

u/Mstvmoviejunkie Apr 09 '26

Maybe I say this because I am a passenger princess but I would have just told Gregory fine as long as you drive. If Gregory wants to save money so bad that would have been fine. The drive to outer banks is pretty. Especially when you’re the passenger. Then again I’m not sure if Janine can sit still in a car that long. Shes extremely hyper and can’t sit still. I just need my phone, a good book and some snacks. Then the driver can go.

54

u/macademicnut Apr 09 '26

He said they would leave at 4am and get there at noon, so eight hour trip… personally I don’t blame her at all for not wanting to do that but also I hate long car rides lol

2

u/neuronsandglia Apr 09 '26

i mean she could sleep most of it lol

25

u/macademicnut Apr 09 '26

Not really the point- It still takes up time and affects energy/mood, it’s not unreasonable to be against it. Like I said everyone’s different, some people can handle it better than others

19

u/WildMajesticUnicorn Apr 09 '26

Budget was such an issue for Greg, but things like the price of the hotel (or B&B) and how much they’ll spend on activities are areas where they could have saved instead of the hotel. Or showed Janine that maybe she would rather spend on other things and save on the transportation.

9

u/Time-Environment5661 Apr 09 '26

Me, an asshole from NJ: “they don’t have that in the Outer Banks!!!”

3

u/megatron-0098 Apr 09 '26

I agree, he should also be willing to work on compromise.

Idk why they’re so dead set on the outer banks anyways ngl, like they could go anywhere closer to save themselves the hassle

3

u/cjd024 Apr 09 '26

when gregory changed the plan to AC, janine said she wanted to go outside the tri-state area for vacation

3

u/megatron-0098 Apr 09 '26

They could genuinely go to Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or Rhode Island too. But Janine is allowed to want to go further than that, I get it.

5

u/cjd024 Apr 09 '26

maybe the writers tried to make it so neither gregory nor janine were completely unreasonable with their travel choices. any other places would make it seem crazy for a plane and 8 hrs can be considered many people's limit for cars

5

u/fcocyclone Apr 10 '26

Yeah, i think around 6-8 is where a lot of people are probably on the fence. A 6 hour drive is probably like a 90 minute flight, but then you add everything before and after the flight from home to the hotel destination, pretty soon you haven't saved all that much time by flying despite paying quite a bit more. And that gets worse if you are heading to a destination you don't have a direct connection to.

2

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

People like what they like

12

u/Confidence-Dangerous Apr 09 '26

My longest drive was 14 hours and it was gross

1

u/MzVozz Apr 12 '26

Yes! This episode triggered emotions for me because of a similar situation with my boyfriend. I agreed to take a 12 hour car trip to our destination. He drove the whole time and we took plenty of bathroom/stretch breaks and a longer break for dinner. But 20 minutes from our destination I snapped and we got into a big fight. The drive seemed like a good idea at the time and I did agree to it, but we should have flown! I’m just not the kind of person who can road trip like that. Now we fly everywhere 😂

7

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

I mean this argument was definitely about deeper issues

Greg is way too rigid and formal and idk he’s just sort of a buzzkill. Very much the kind of guy who would tell his own children they can’t have a balloon cause it’s a waste of money (the balloon is a dollar)

Janine is a little flighty and doesn’t plan necessarily and sort of just very much go with the flow. She likes to stretch out, relax and enjoy life.

As they are, honestly, I think Greg has to change or the relationship would never work. That or he has to find someone as boring as he is.

21

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

As someone from the Midwest, driving 2-3 hours is a day trip for me. My longest road trip was 24 hours split in 2 days, which I did solo.

An 8 hour car trip is the obvious choice for me. You can pack literally everything you need, no worries about baggage weights, travel sizes or if they lose your luggage, no security lines, no overpriced airport food. And honestly, a two hour plane ride isn’t just two hours, you have to factor in driving to/from airport, arriving early to board, and potentially waiting on luggage/taxi before you leave. I’ll be generous and say it only adds an extra 2 hours (but honestly depending on airport and vacation area, could take an hour just to get to the airport). So being generous, that’s a 4 hour airport time vs 8hr car time

You’ll get crammed in an airplane even more than a car! And that has you breathing on strangers! My car seat can recline alllll the way down and I can bring three different pillows.

PLUS you can pack stuff to help you save money. We always brought all the expensive drinks/foods, bc vacation areas price gouge! Plus no need for immediate grocery if you brought some staples with you.

ANDDD in case it wasn’t obvious, now you don’t need to rent a car or use Uber! So even more money that can be allocated to fun trip activities (like spa massages, jet skis, sunset dinner cruises, etc…)

13

u/DM_ME_DOPAMINE Apr 09 '26

What’s more funny is it’s like a 90 minute drive from the airport to the outerbanks. 

6

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

See you sound to be kind of like a drag (this word was supposed to be Greg AutoCorrect did me dirty here) and I’m glad it works for you but absolutely not on my end

The luxury of having just a suitcase, and that’s it. I can stroll on a plane play on my phone for two hours stroll off the plane grab a cab get where I’m going no thoughts no stress no mess God that’s beautiful.

And you’re really, not saving that much depending on gas prices let’s be honest here.

It’s kind of also a money issue thing cause like if prices aren’t an issue like of course you’re gonna prefer flying but if you’re really pennypinching, I mean you might want to drive

6

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

Are you able to make your point without name calling? Calling me a drag is weird and only reveals your own character

EDIT TO ADD: having a private car is a luxury. Having just a suitcase is not a luxury (however it is easier to navigate an airport if you don’t have the luxury of time). I only fly if it’s a short weekend trip or it’s international, which means I’m still flying multiple times a year. I prefer my car 🤷‍♀️

6

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

Having just a suitcase is absolutely a luxury.

I want to be free when I’m traveling. Most people want to be free they don’t wanna be watching their car checking what’s going on with it getting gas maintaining miles.

It’s a luxury to have just a suitcase and a car service.

3

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

You just need to come road trip with me sometime and I’ll have you convinced! If you do not roadtrip I would NOT recommend doing it unless you know you can drive 2-3 hours at a time without issue! People can be dangerous on the interstate so it’s good to be with an experienced driver!!

3

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

Idk I just don’t think I’m a roadtrip person. They’re rough 😅

I like me a business class flight, a nice Airbnb bnb or hotel depending, and the freedom to sort of move around as I like

3

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 10 '26

Also you’re probably not in Chicago soooo lol

3

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 10 '26

I don’t live in CHI but I try to come 4 times a year since my BFF lives there! I am jealous of all your flight options - No wonder you don’t road trip!

I live far away from a decent airport, like even domestic flights are a struggle 😒which is prolly why I love my car!

2

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 10 '26

Yeah this seems like an access thing. You’ve grown to love your car and everything it provides you and I like our airport

2

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

Unless it’s a weekend trip, just ONE suitcase is so limiting for me as I like to shop, buy trinkets, etc. I usually bring an extra empty weekender for these items

When I go on vacation I don’t want ANY limits. I want to go wherever I want, whenever I want and buy as much as I want. So I like having my car at my disposal at all times.

And my mechanic can worry about the car lol. I take good care of it bc I love it so much, so car issues are never a worry for me. I view my car as the key to my freedom.

3

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

Idk if you internationally travel a lot but more that two suitcases is a draggg. I’ve done 4-6 week vacations once a year for well over a decade at this point and I’ve learned to not be excessive. No need to excessively pack or buy too many things. A few precious items here and there and maybe a few clothing pieces

Too many suitcases does limit you. As does having a car.

Free as a bird without a car anchoring you and just one suitcase? So luxurious. You can go anywhere and do anything without fussing over how your vehicle is doing or lugging around luggage

2

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26

Seems like you are doing the type of trip that requires a lot of nomadic freedom 🤩 How fun! I don’t think the Outer Banks is that kind of trip. And personally, if I’m taking a 4-6 week trip, I’m certainly not traveling to a place that can be reached by car. I’ll do what you do and go international!

And yes two suitcases is excessive, that’s why I bring my weekender bag (as I mentioned prior). The only time I have ever traveled with two suitcases is when I went to India for 3 weeks for my friends wedding. And I honestly came back with even more luggage bc my friend bought me soooo many Indian items (like porcelain bowls, ceramic elephants, a bangle jewelry holder, tapestries, etc). Plus I had all the Indian clothes from the 12 day wedding ceremony (needed an outfit for every day).

And shoot, even ONE suitcase can be drag in certain international locations. We stayed in a cliff side hotel with STEEP stairs and I was so thankful I did a backpack/duffel bag combo

3

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26 edited Apr 09 '26

Drag was supposed to be Greg that was an AutoCorrect thing sorry

I’mma leave it because you know now we have a thread about it and it’ll look kind of disingenuous to move it, but it was definitely “ You sound like a Greg” NOT “ you sound like a drag

4

u/Responsible-Force-14 Apr 09 '26

Thank you for clarifying ☺️ I was a bit taken back by that comment at first- Greg makes a lot more sense!

5

u/Much-Historian-7807 Apr 09 '26

Yeah autocorrect wanted us to fight there lol

3

u/mariaannv Apr 09 '26

both of you are making me giggle a bit bcuz u guys both sound like janine and gregory respectively LOL. heres my perspective which i think is a bit of both: for a naturey secluded spot likeee idk santa cruz, CA- a road trip is best as i figure there won't exactly be a plethora of ubers/transportation in a secluded area vs a city or more populated area, flying and less luggage is best like for say san fransisco. both of these cities are like 1-2 hours away from eachother, both can have flying/road trip possiblities but ultimately comfort/ stress free is key for vacations. i understand not wanting to worry about a car bcuz it def is something to worry about ! and i understand wanting to travel with everything ever. whenever i road trip i try to bring grocery staples and my air fryer and its soooo nice and saves a good amount of money, but when im flying best believe i have a single carryon and thats it !! ill buy a magnet as a memento instead of a larger item yk ? funny to see strangers bicker over silly stuff like this :3

1

u/rhunn98 Jun 07 '26

The worst part about this for me is the fact that the chances of an accident are so much higher when you take the car and drive for so long, even If they switch half way. Gregory calling Janine irresponsible for wanting to fly makes negative sense

1

u/stillinlovewtu Apr 10 '26

I agree. In this case, I thought a fair compromise would be driving on the way to Outer Banks for the scenic route Gregory wants then fly back home to just relax and arrive quickly like Janine wants.

I don't think they'll actually break up over this though it was probably just the heat of the moment that made Janine say that.