Why Didn't I Think of That?

In economics the answer is rarely all or nothing. However, at airports, except for a few people, everyone stands in the same line at security. But there should be a class system at security. What if you could pay $100, to a combination (frankly it doesn’t matter who) of the airlines and the TSA to get expedited security? It creates a class system but in airline travel people except a class system.

The benefits to some people would be immense. Imagine knowing that you can get to the airport a half-hour ahead and still make your flight. That would make air travel much more efficient for people willing to pay for that efficiency. It also makes the government a little money.

All these annoying fees save everyone else money, too. If you look at the price of a ticket and the cost to fly a plane, the airlines simply don’t break even on many passengers on many flights, giving those of us who book in advance and use carry-ons only a great deal.

You should get what you pay for (or pay less and get only what you really need — transportation) and for airlines this is the natural extension of that philosophy.

Tags: airline economics, TSA