The JTrain Podcast Episode Summary
Episode: Bad High Fives, Bad Emailers, Lying Flight Attendants, & More Complaints! – TICKED OFF TUESDAY
Host: Jared Freid
Date: February 24, 2026
Overview
This Ticked Off Tuesday episode of The JTrain Podcast features comedian Jared Freid diving deep into listener-submitted complaints and his own everyday frustrations. True to the theme, the episode is a cathartic, humorous exploration of the little things that drive people nuts—from awkward high fives and questionable customer service, to indecision at bakeries and the eternal struggle with Apple products. Jared invites fans to send in their own gripes, promising a space where every complaint (no matter how “trivial”) will be heard and validated.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Spirit of “Ticked Off Tuesday”
- Jared opens with an anthem for midweek discontent:
“Tuesday and it has no feel. The weekend was fun. You're still hungover from the eating and next weekend is too far away. What will you do with your day? It's time to get ticked off.” (00:00)
- Emphasizes listener involvement and his mission to validate every gripe, big or small.
“There is no such thing as luxury issues here. They are all real problems. They're your problem.” (01:27)
2. Jared’s Personal Complaints
(02:50–17:30)
a. The High Five Fiasco (03:50)
- Awkward public interactions, specifically failed high fives:
“If you're gonna high five me, you get one shot. … I will take a high five with the spirit that is intended to come with it. … I'm not going back so that we can connect on the high five.” (03:31)
- Disdain for performative encouragement:
“I don't want to be cheered on. I don't want, 'Yay, Jared.' No, that feels like pity. That's why I hate the word 'support.'” (04:42)
b. Compulsory Group Rituals
- Rituals like cheersing at big dinners:
“If you have a problem, you can't. Cheers. Just don't do the cheers. Raise your glass—a little bit of a fake cheers, that's enough for me.” (06:03)
c. Lying Flight Attendants and Overhead Bins
- Frustration over perceived dishonesty when flight attendants announce that “the flight is full” to enforce strict baggage rules, only for Jared to discover empty seats after takeoff:
“Do not spread out. Actually get smaller. … And then the flight takes off—open seat, open seat, open seat. I don't want to be treated like a child.” (07:09)
d. The Apple AirPods Saga
- Classic #FirstWorldProblems with Apple products: lost AirPod case means a forced, expensive airport purchase—only to discover no charger included.
“I open up the AirPods on the flight. No charger. I can't even believe we are living in a world where they can sell us AirPods and say, ‘Oh, you need a charger for that?’” (10:54)
- On Apple’s market dominance and user loyalty:
“Apple could change the time a minute all, every day. And night would become day, day would become night. We would all go buy our iPhone time and switch our clocks.” (12:45) “We're not getting [Samsung] ever. … They would have to literally blow me to get me to their product. Even if they did, I'd be like, I don't know.” (14:19)
3. Listener Complaints & Jared’s Reactions
(a) Group Exercise Class Chaos (20:08)
Complaint:
People in group exercise classes who can’t follow instructions or insist on doing their own thing.
Jared’s Take:
- It's distracting and erodes the group atmosphere; “think outside the box” types don’t belong in a class.
“You want to go to a place where all of you are warriors training for battle... And when people go outside of that delusion, it makes you feel stupid for even trying.” (21:42)
- People who use their phones during class or chat are equally frustrating.
(b) Chipper Flight Seatmates and Oblivious Travelers (26:40)
Complaint:
Overly loud, oblivious passengers who block the aisle and draw out the deplaning process.
Jared’s Take:
- Preparedness and efficiency should be the default in airport settings.
“When you're moving through the airport, you should always be thinking of what else can I be doing to get us to our goal which is to not be at the airport.” (30:31)
- Parents sometimes get a pass, but everyone should be considerate. Calls out the “dad” who passively enables this.
- Extends the analogy to TSA lines—lack of self-awareness is rampant.
(c) The Email Nightmare (38:25)
Complaint:
Dealing with someone who can’t use email properly, causing missed deadlines and inefficient back-and-forth.
Jared’s Take:
- Email chains quickly become unwieldy; some tasks just need a phone call.
“One phone call would have knocked us out… This square peg needs to do things longhand over the phone. It will take 10 minutes.” (42:11) “'We'll bang it out.' Makes me feel chills down my body. I feel good knowing they are confident we will get it done.” (41:59)
(d) Indecisive People in Food Lines (Bakery Edition) (45:19)
Complaint:
Being stuck behind indecisive people at bakeries who treat the menu “like a legal contract.”
Jared’s Take:
- Bakeries attract soul-searchers—nobody goes there with a clear plan unless buying for an event.
- Proposes a “shot clock” for ordering; celebrates the people who step aside if they’re not ready.
“They should be honored at halftime of basketball games… Would you not get up and give a standing ovation? Tonight's hero amongst us, John O’Brien, who went to a Dunkin Donuts... got to the front of the line, didn’t know what he wanted, said ‘I’m not ready, this person behind me can go first.’ You are the hero amongst us.” (47:16)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On performative support:
"When you say it, it feels like you want me to know that there was a favor being done." (05:02) - On Apple addiction:
"We are just... dominated by Apple because they, and I've said this for years, Apple could change the time a minute all, every day... none of us would even notice." (12:45) - On flight etiquette:
"Moms get this oblivious pass, especially moms with young kids. We get it. We understand you have a job to do, but that would actually make me more on my game." (31:43) - On people who step aside in line:
"They should be honored at halftime of basketball games." (47:22) - On email confusion:
"'We'll bang it out.' Makes me feel chills down my body. I feel good knowing they are confident we will get it done. We are just not getting it done this way." (41:59)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Opening: Why We Need Ticked Off Tuesdays – 00:00–01:40
- Jared’s High Five Rant & Support Disdain – 02:50–06:32
- Group Cheers Rituals – 06:33–07:18
- Lying Flight Attendants – 07:19–09:37
- Apple AirPods Ordeal – 09:38–14:19
- Listener Complaint #1: Group Exercise Class Outliers – 20:08–23:54
- Listener Complaint #2: Oblivious Travelers (Loud Mom on Flight) – 26:40–31:43
- Listener Complaint #3: Emailers from Hell – 38:25–42:50
- Listener Complaint #4: Indecisive Bakery Customers – 45:19–48:10
Tone and Style
Jared’s signature mix of observational comedy and exasperation shines throughout. The episode is candid, relatable, and full of self-deprecating humor, perfectly capturing that feeling of being driven insane by life’s everyday inconveniences. Jared never shames listeners for their gripes, instead offering validation and laughter in equal measure.
Final Thoughts
Ticked Off Tuesday is an outlet for listeners’ and host’s shared exasperations, delivering an hour of commiseration and comedic relief. If you love observational comedy and hate indecision, group cheery rituals, or inefficiency, Jared’s sardonic take is essential listening.
