to think that "Fast-track" is just paying to push in?

[Scholes34]

Just that, really. After spending a day with four kids at Alton Towers and a lot of time in various queues, is fast-track really just paying to push in?

[scottishmummy]

and yes I pay to procure an advantage.thats my choice I'm fortunate to have that choice
I will pay extra to go 1stclass on train so I'm not squeezed in cattle class,airless,no seat
So I should chose to queue in order to empathise with someone who queues?no way Jose

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Yes, you are fortunate to have that choice. And as I said, I understand why you make it.

But when you make it, you have to accept that it isn't a choice that only affects you. By choosing to jump a queue you are choosing to share your queuing time out amongst all the people standing in the queue when you walk to the front.

And it makes me uneasy that we as a society have driven a consumer demand for that. I have no problem with a device that queues for you (like the basic QBot). It's the actual jumping that I think is sad.

[Groovee]

At Alton Towers I have often seen people just push through the main queue and no one says a thing. That is QUEUE JUMPING. Where as when theme parks choose to offer a service where people don't have to queue, then why should I feel guilty? I have a hidden disability and queuing for hours standing up would result in me having lots of pain.

We chose to buy fast track tickets at Universal and we don't see the problem when it is offered. Disney offers it free but others choose to charge. Would you use it for free? If you would then it's just like paying for it, you are choosing the fast track option to make the most of your day!

[scottishmummy]

It's not sad,it's meeting a demand and squeezing extra buck out customer
Plenty willing to pay it.I pay for fast check in at airport too.
Are you genuinely suggesting one doesn't pay for an extra cause someone else can't?

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

You don't think it is sad Scottishmummy. I think it is very sad what it says about us that this service exists. Do you really not see the difference between this type of service and things like first class - one is actively making another's day worse to make yours better.

I've said, I'd pay for it. I understand why people do. It's just a shame.

[ILIVEONBENEFITS123]

I'd happily pay for fast track passes at Alton Towers if I didn't have use of the exit pass scheme for disabilities.Every theme park we've been to has this scheme as well the paid for fast track scheme and it's a good idea whether its the paid for one or the free one which we use.The kids are too old for Legoland now but we used to be able to go round every ride in an hour and obviously that meant they got to use every ride loads of times.Seeing the huge queues at the rides i'm glad we got to use that scheme.As for Alton towers, we were there recently and used the exit pass scheme.Brilliant.far better than standing in a long, winding and let's be honest, unhappy queue.We did all the big rides again and again and it made the day out really great.Nothing wrong with the paid scheme though...I'd use it if I needed to but with two disabled children and the exit pass scheme allowing one disabled person and up to three carers per pass, two passes means eight of us get to go on through the exit and it saves so much time.

[scottishmummy]

I'm paying for an enhancement yes,so what?it's available
Am i really meant to forgo this to empathise with queuing?to really get that authentic queue vibe
Plenty things to get sad or reflective about,fast tracking isn't one of them.competely nonplussed

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Not forgo it no. Nothing to do with getting an authentic queueing vibe. But there is something to be said for recognising that you getting a better day means someone else getting a worse day.

[scottishmummy]

That's life innit,I'm simply exercising my consumer power to procure advantage
Do I think about anyone else in the queue?no
I don't think anyone has worse day,I think they have the standard day.I chose enhanced day

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Do you really not understand the mathematics of queue jumping? Of course they have a worse day. They wait longer. They wait (shared amongst them) your queuing time.

[scottishmummy]

I understand fine,that's why I pay to not queue,I pay to procure advantage

[scottishmummy]

Fast tracking generates a revenue stream,that others don't pay
Fast tracking is altruistic,it generates money that's ploughed back in for advantage of everyone
So fast tracking benefits all,not the minority.as money goes toward all facilities

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Fair enough. From what I've seen on other threads, you're pretty consistent about stuff like this. So I can respect that.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Ok, that was to your previous post. I'm sorry, but the altruism argument is just rubbish.

[scottishmummy]

I've dont recall discussing fast tracking or stuff like this as you put it
Inequality in accessing services,public sector cuts I am animated about
Fast track on train,plane,play park I'm completely nonplussed

[scottishmummy]

Not at all,fast tracking generates revenue from minority,used for majority
V altruistic

[Scholes34]

I really don't understand the altruism argument, scottish. How is the fast tracking by you (the majority) aiding me (the minority)?

[Scholes34]

Actually, I have my majority and minority the wrong way round there - this is because I'm so confused by the argument.

[eccentrica]

AmandaP it's not true that First Class has no impact on Standard Class. If no one paid for First Class, there would be more capacity in Standard. It's not quite as clear cut as you make out.

[scottishmummy]

The income generated is ploughed back into whole of AT,for maintenance,new ride
If the minority didn't pay that additional extra there'd be less for revenue for whole park
The extra premium paid,by minority(me) benefits the majority (you)

You can thank me any ole time

[scottishmummy]

Indeed by choosing 1st class train,,I'm not additionally crowding standard class

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

Eccentrica - I wasn't saying that first class was clear cut. I realise that things like space on a plane has to be split up. I was saying that queue jumping is clear cut.

Scottish - I meant regarding economics, supply and demand, consumer power, etc.

[scottishmummy]

It's not queue jumping,as im not queuing.im fast tracked no queue
Queue jumping,is act if not legitimately waiting allocated pace in queue one is in
Fast tracking is not being a participant in a queue.

[AmandaPandtheTantrumofDoom]

You are a participant in the queue. You are not some separate process.

If one car boards every 15 seconds, and your party of four takes up one car, every single person in the queue waits an additional 15 seconds because you boarded from the front. Add all those 15 seconds together and you get the length of wait you would have had if you'd joined the queue at the back.

That is a participant in the queue, not somehow someone not part of it and unrelated to it.

[gallifrey]

yet again separating rich and poor people