to think paying extra to jump a queue is just wrong?

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We've spent the last week or so doing the tourist thing in London (most expensive holiday ever and we slept at home!)

Most of the big attrations (London Eye, Aquarium etc) allow you to purchase a priority ticket for a few pounds per person extra, which means you don't have to queue. I know it can be done at Legoland and other theme parks too.

It just seems wrong to me though, that those with enough cash can not only jump the queue, but effectively make others' waiting time longer. It doesn't seem like the behaviour I want to demonstrate/teach to my DC, but at it seems to be the way of the world AIBU?

They are indeed Jenai-it is wonderful now that DCs are old enough to go on their own.

I agree with madamelupino

My son went to one of these places recently and barely went on any rides due to the ridiculous queueing times.

They let far too many people in on the day that is what we should be complaining about, if they limited the numbers we wouldnt need queue jump passes.

They do the same for certain air lines. Have always wondered how it would work if EVERY passenger on the flight paid for priority boarding
It is a scam and I think if people are stupid enough prepared to hand over extra cash, then more fool them. They are just giving the business extra money because they can't wait like everyone else. Look at this way, say it was £15 extra for the whole family to jump the queue, you could all have a takeaway from the chip shop for that. Which would you rather do with your money? Give it away, or spend it on food etc?

no its always been done in usa

its lovely to walk past a long Q :)

I'd rather pay for a queue jump than spend the money in a chip shop. But then, that's life - we all value things differently.

YABU. It is a question of how much you value your time. If your "time" is very expensive and you decide to pay money to save time, then it is up to you. If you decide that you'd rather wait and pay less, it is up to you as well. I don't see anything wrong with paying extra to get somewhere quicker, ie, the front of the queue. Basically, the extra cost is subsidising the lower cost of the ticket for the people who are happy to wait.

YANBU to be annoyed, but it's the way of the world. It's not like it stopped appening under communism either - any account you reaD of Soviet Russia is full of stories about who you have to pay to jump the queue.

YANBU. Not that I wouldn't buy priority tickets if money was no object, because I probably would, but I'd feel like a git walking past all the people queuing - and let's face it they've paid an extortionate price too just for regular tickets.

I don't think you can compare it to priority boarding at airports as they have seperate desks and staff so it doesn't inconvenience other passengers. At theme parks the convenience of not queuing makes everyone elses wait longer.

happyhorse - if there weren't seperate desks and staff at the airport, those desks and staff would be open to all economy passengers, and the wait time would be reduced.

Fast pass is usually a seperate queue too.

squidgy I meant it as an example ie actually receiving goods in exchange for your cash. Chip Shop was just an easy example, not meant to be taken literally

happy I was asking how it would work had everybody done it on the same flight? How could everyone skip the queue?

lilmissminx it doesn't matter, my point is still the same. I would often rather pay for a good experience than have something in my hand for cash. Others are different. I will not visit a theme park if I have to queue as I find it shit. I would rather pay a little extra for a good experience.

To be honest, the fast pass is not about being special or better than anybody else. It is about enjoying an experience to the max, which comes at a premium. It certainly has nothing to do with life lessons for children either. Should I not eat at expensive restaurants either, incase people who either can't afford to or don't want to spend money on them feel bad about themselves. Should I not stay in nice hotels and go on nice holidays incase it makes someone feel bad?

I think feelings of bitterness about the issue teach kids a worse life lesson. Personally I wouldn't want to fill my kids full of venom.

Also, when I go to the Comedy Store, I pay more for front seat tickets.

How very dare I?!!

No I'm not 'above' queueing, but I don't enjoy it so if I have another option I'll take it.

And I'm not entirely sure what rules I am bypassing. Sometimes you have to queue, sometimes you don't.

Do I want to stand in a line for a ride for an hour, or do I want to go on the ride loads of times instead? It's a no brainer for me. Our last holiday was great. We could see the big rides from our hotel, we could be sat having a cocktail and decide we wanted to go on one, walk over or jump on the boat and be on the ride in less than 10 minutes.

Yes, those who want picking on. And those who want a guaranteed unrestricted view and seat.

Isn't this an economic/marketing principle? 'Framing' or something?

As in, the company could reverse it and say "Discount Tickets - the queue is a couple of minutes longer, but you save so much!", but framing it as 'Priority Passes' actually makes them more money, when it's all the same thing, really.

You could see the AIBU too - "AIBU to think that people who pay £xx extra to skip a bit of time queuing are insane?"