Airports say line-holding services are unauthorized, warn people to use them at own risk
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As airports continue to suffer the “hold gate” effect of the DHS shutdown, which has led to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, flight travelers are getting cagey.
Same Ole Line Dudes, a New York-based line waiting service, has attracted the attention of travelers looking for ways to avoid hour-long lines.
Robert Samuel, owner of Same Ole Line Dudes, told the Washington Post he has received several requests for TSA hold lines.
AMONG US AIRPORT LINES AND DELAYS, TRAVELERS ARE GIVING OUT VODKA SHOCKS AT THE MAJOR TSA LINE
The company says it charges a minimum of $50 for a wait of up to two hours, with an additional $15 for any requests from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m., according to its website.
“This line is very different as it moves forward,” Samuel told the publication. “No chairs are allowed and we have to stand on our feet, so pricing will be $35 per hour.”
Some people charge people big bucks to hold a spot in TSA lines. (Danielle Villasana/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Same Ole Line Dudes for comment.
Meanwhile, in Houston, Texas, a local man started charging $65 an hour to stand in TSA lines at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Steven Dial told FOX 26 he has received several requests. “I’ll wait in line for you at the airport. I’ll wait for TSA,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“This is a one-for-one exchange,” Dial said. “I step out of the line and one person comes in. It doesn’t change the number of people in the line at all.”
When asked for comment, the airport told FOX 26 it does not support any “for-hire” queue service.
“I get out of the queue and one person comes in. It doesn’t change the number of people in the queue at all,” said one person (not pictured), who charged money to hold people’s line. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“For [travelers’] In the statement made by the airport, it was stated that for security reasons, passengers should not pay people who offer to queue, as they are not authorized and have not been examined.
Addressing passengers directly, the message said, “Please stay with your belongings and use only official airport queues. Passengers who prefer to use them.” unauthorized services They do so at their own risk.”
Travelers started to get creative in difficult times.
Travelers have faced lines of up to five hours in recent weeks as TSA agents remain out of work due to missed paychecks.
Now, officers who have been working without pay since DHS funding ran out on Valentine’s Day told Fox News they are starting to see paychecks after President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order for emergency pay.
CLICK FOR MORE LIFE STORIES
Travelers are getting creative in these difficult times. A man in Houston recently turned a miserable four-hour TSA wait into an impromptu party by handing out free vodka to other adults in line.
A passenger was recorded walking through a large crowd at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with a large ice bottle and a stack of plastic cups.
TSA officers started receiving paychecks again after working without pay since DHS funding ended on Valentine’s Day. (Ronaldo Schemidt /AFP via Getty Images)
He began shooting at angry passengers trapped in a queue that stretched far outside the terminal gates.
This move seemed both practical and generous, as TSA rules do not allow bottles larger than 3.4 ounces to pass through security.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Instead of throwing away the expensive drink, the man decided to share it with his fellow passengers.
Fox News Digital’s Kelly McGreal contributed reporting.
