The JTrain Podcast – Ticked Off Tuesday: Delta’s 2 Million Miler Gift, No Towels at the Gym, and DoorDash Shamers

Host: Jared Freid
Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this “Ticked Off Tuesday” installment, comedian Jared Freid reads and riffs on listener-submitted complaints, validating their grievances and offering his trademark humorous take. Jared starts with peeves from his own recent travels, then dives into listener emails about gym towel policies, digital gift card annoyances, food delivery shaming, and smelly sports lockers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Delta’s 2 Million Miler Gift – Not the Glory You’d Expect

(Start – 17:18)

• Jared recounts his recent flight experience where Delta recognized a passenger for hitting 2 million miles—remarkable, considering Jared himself is nearing 1 million after years of heavy travel.
• The big reveal: Delta publicly congratulated the 2 million miler (fake name: Bob Johnson), but the passenger was seated in Delta Comfort+ not first class.
• Jared’s disbelief: After such loyalty, you’d expect a truly premium reward.

Notable Quote:

“I can’t live in a world where, when I hit 2 million miles, there is an announcement congratulating me and I am not in first class. At that point, what is this all for?”
— Jared Freid (14:45)

• Adds: The prize was a leather-bound passport holder, Delta-branded—"not the merch I want.”
• Humorous Moment: Jared and the woman beside him cackle at the irony, “like two mean girls in the cafeteria making fun of a nerd’s outfit.” (16:20)
• Key insight: Being a super loyal customer sometimes only gets you generic recognition—not the real perks.

2. Gym Towel Restriction Ridiculousness

(17:50 – 23:20)

• Listener complaint: Gold’s Gym made towels available “by request only” instead of freely accessible, requiring an awkward interaction with staff each visit.
• Jared agrees completely—he wants “towels fucking everywhere.”
• Suggests escalating: ask management what horror led to this change. Compares it to restaurants rationing bread after Covid for unclear reasons.

Notable Quote:

“I want four things with the gym: cleanliness, airflow, good machines-to-people ratio, and towels fucking everywhere... So many towels and towel locations I should be drowning in the towels.”
— Jared (20:58)

• Humor: Proposes “Pig at leisure” merch for people who just want amenities without limits.

3. The Pain of E-Gift Cards Sent by Text

(23:30 – 27:05)

• Listener moved cities and received thoughtful e-gift cards—sent via text. Problem: texts quickly get lost and cannot be added to Apple Wallet.
• Jared dives into the “city hall” nature of this complaint—this isn’t fixable at the consumer level and would require massive lobbying.
• He rants on the true reason gift cards are siloed: it’s intentional, so people forget them and stores keep the money.

Notable Quote:

“The whole gift card game was a great way for restaurants and stores to take your money and then probably have you never use it. Now… we have the ability to make sure you never lose a gift card. And they are ignoring it.”
— Jared (25:51)

• Draws a parallel to action movie plots: “You’d have to be in a Jason Statham-type movie fighting your way up just to get Apple and Applebee’s to add cards to the Wallet.”

4. DoorDash Shaming at Work

(27:08 – 31:44)

• Listener’s stove broke, so they DoorDashed lunch to work twice in a week. Receptionist snidely comments, “Must be nice to get delivery all the time. I cook at home.”
• Jared’s verdict: this behavior is unacceptable and reflects deep, bitter, self-victimizing energy.
• Advocates standing tall: “Ordering DoorDash twice a week does not mean you’re a billionaire.”
• Notes that these petty workplace shames often mask others’ dissatisfaction.

Notable Quote:

“The saddest loser would ever think, ‘Whoa—getting Thai food and pizza? Oh, look at Mr. Rich Scrooge McDuck over here…’ Think of how much of a loser you have to be.”
— Jared (29:28)

• Offers empathy for those sensitive to these low-key shaming comments.

5. Smelly Sports Lockers in a Condo Basement

(31:58 – 38:17)

• Listener’s locker is flanked by two others chock full of hockey gear and stinky jerseys. Despite one owner responding to a management letter, the funk persists from the other.
• Jared diagnoses: men often don’t wash jerseys, and the stench becomes embedded in fibers.
• Solution: Don’t Febreze (the cameras!), but go full scorched-earth: hang dozens of powerful air fresheners inside your locker along the shared wall.
• For extra emphasis, drop daily anonymous letters asking them to “please wash your things.”
• Bonus advice: make it look like a concern about “the whole locker room,” not just your own stuff.

Notable Quote:

“You need to hang as many good smelling… air fresheners right next to their jerseys, so many that you smoke them out. You have created an air freshener bush.”
— Jared (36:00)

• Practical and hilarious approach to neighborly disputes.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Airlines’ Loyalty Programs:
  “It embarrasses Delta… Why am I committing to you if you’re giving me mistress back-of-the-bus status?” (15:13)

• On Small Annoyances:
  “You can’t fight city hall complaints. [About e-gift cards] You’re not going to win. You’d have to do a Jason Statham movie…” (25:03)

• On Workplace Pity Olympics:
  “I make my gruel at home ‘cause I can only afford that. I don’t like this idea that you elevate yourself by victimizing yourself.” (30:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Delta’s 2 Million Miler Gift: 00:00–17:18
• Gym Towel Access Complaint: 17:50–23:20
• E-Gift Cards via Text: 23:30–27:05
• DoorDash Shamers: 27:08–31:44
• Stinky Sports Lockers: 31:58–38:17

Tone & Takeaways

Jared keeps the show fun, validating, and a little irreverent—a space for listeners to air “petty” grievances and feel seen. He never belittles the complaint, instead offering practical advice and sharp, humorous commentary. The central message: It’s okay to want a little more—be it gym towels, respect for your lunch choices, or, yes, that first class upgrade after 2 million miles.

Final Thoughts

• Send in your gripes: jtrainpodcast@gmail.com
• Patreon gets priority for complaints (patreon.com/jaredfreid)
• “Ticked Off Tuesday” offers catharsis, validation, and the sense that yes—your little annoyances really do matter.