My husband and I have been traveling to visit family recently, and with one thing and another, have had the opportunity to go through the TSA Precheck line, and also to use Priority Pass membership (free with our credit card) to get into airport lounges. Benefiting from these programs was very pleasant, but also thought-provoking.
On our last trip, out of Phoenix, my husband was randomly assigned to the TSA Precheck line. I encouraged him to go through and meet me on the other side of security.
I didn’t realize how many people were going through the regular lines with me. There were lots of holiday travelers, many of whom obviously weren’t frequent flyers, some of whom had difficulties managing all the expectations of the TSA agents (shoes off, electronics out, liquids in your clear plastic bag, etc.).
My husband met me about 20 minutes later–he was calm and collected, having sailed through with minimal fuss; I was frazzled, trying to put my liquids and snacks away, looking for my shoes and trying to keep an eye on my purse. Clearly, being able to go through the Precheck line was significantly easier and faster than the regular security line.
How much more pleasant flying can be, if you are willing to pay extra to get the clearance. And yet, it seems odd to have a two tier system for security; you shouldn’t be able to buy your way out of being screened.
I know it’s not quite like that. You still have to pass the security check to get the Precheck clearance, which I’m sure will be revoked if you start to look like a dangerous flyer. Still. It looks like paying money to get special treatment.
Also in Phoenix, we used our Priority Pass for the first time to check into the airport lounge, as we had about 1 hour before the plane boarded. It was a lovely experience, with comfortable seats, a view, and even a side table. That side table was key, as we were treated to free “refreshments”–which would have been called a meal anywhere else–and we needed somewhere to put the plates.
Again, this was clearly a case of paying to get something more. In some ways it is a very common approach to travel. But it felt odd to me. Why should I get a comfy chair and free food, when other people are sitting in crowded boarding area lounges, with hard seats, and lots of overhead announcements to interrupt their conversations or reading?
I know, people have been paying extra for years: to fly first class, to get priority seating, to get a chauffeured ride to the airport. Maybe all my years of traveling cheaply make me less comfortable with getting preferential treatment at the airport.
I recall an advertisement for a now defunct airline:
I’m shocked by the sexism inherent in the ad, but that’s another story.
Anyway, as my spouse and I enjoyed the upgrades to our trip, I realized we had stepped onto the hedonic treadmill. [The idea that people have a set point of happiness, so that what used to be a treat, becomes part of the normal experience. Thus, you need ever-fancier experiences to give you the same excitement.]
We were excited to use the airport lounge and faster security lines, but now we want to be able to use them again, all the time. Will we just plan to use the fancy airport lounges going forward? If we apply for (and receive) TSA Precheck, will we take it for granted when we sail through security without worrying about removing our liquids bag? Will we complain if our trip starts with a run through the regular security line and a long sit in uncomfortable seats in the boarding area?
I certainly hope we won’t complain. Remaining appreciative of our perks will be key to avoiding being spoiled/getting carried away on that hedonic treadmill.
What do you think about buying these extra perks? Worth it? Or a silly indulgence?