An OMAAT reader posed a question that I think makes for an interesting discussion. He asks what my thoughts are on people requesting to jump ahead in the security line because they’re running late? He explains that he refused to let someone cut, and was then called names, and asks if he was being unreasonable.
It’s a fair question, and I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. So I’ll share my take, and I’d love to hear what others think. On one hand, I’m a firm believer in the quote that goes “a lack of planning on your part doesn’t constitute an emergency on my part.” At the same time, this is one of those situations where I can see both sides, and I just try to avoid getting stressed.
In general, I’m not a fan of letting people cut in line
Typically I’m opposed to the concept of letting people cut in line at airport security because they’re running late. I hate to make a “slippery slope” argument, but if the order in which passengers at security are screened is based on departure time, then that sounds like a very unpleasant reality for those who actually plan appropriately.
Most of the time when people are running late for a flight, it’s within their control. Not that they want to be running late so that they have to ask people for a line cut at security, but rather they didn’t leave enough of a buffer. It’s kind of like when you’re supposed to meet someone for drinks at 6PM, and then they show up at 6:30PM and say “sorry I’m late, traffic was horrible.” During rush hour, really?!? You don’t say!
But it’s also possible that the person has a “legitimate” reason they’re running late. Maybe they had a late inbound flight, had a family emergency and needed to book a ticket last minute, had an accident on the way to the airport, etc.
Is it worth giving them the benefit of the doubt? And even if it isn’t, is it worth the aggravation to be “that” person that doesn’t let them in?
Despite having flown millions and millions of miles, I’ve only ever once missed a flight at my origin, and in that case I overslept so much that I didn’t bother going to the airport.
My approach is that I typically go with the flow
My personal philosophy is that I go with whatever the others in line do. If they agree to let someone through, I’ll do the same. If they don’t, I’ll just typically avoid getting involved. If I’m the last person in line and they ask to cut me, it’s all about how they ask:
- “I hate to ask, but I just got off an international flight and my connection leaves in 20 minutes. Do you mind if I cut you?” Sure.
- If someone’s strolling up with a latte, three carry-ons, is on their cell phone, and says “it’s okay if I cut you, right?” I’m less likely to be kind then.
Basically, I choose not to get upset over it, or to have a strong opinion. However, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with not letting people cut you, so I wouldn’t lose too much sleep if someone makes unkind comments in response to such a denial.
In fairness, it’s worth acknowledging that airlines and airports do sometimes coddle people who are running late, even if it’s their own fault. At a check-in desk, airlines may sometimes ask if anyone is booked on a particular flight for which check-in is about to close, so that they don’t miss it. Of course they’re doing this for their own reasons — it’s going to be more work for everyone if people miss flights, need to be rebooked, etc.
Bottom line
It’s common for people to run late to the airport, and to then ask to cut others at security, so that they can still make their flight. While there are some situations like this that are completely out of the control of the passenger, more often than not, it’s due to a lack of planning on their part.
Ultimately I think there’s nothing wrong with saying “no” when someone asks to cut. At the same time, it’s also probably not worth getting involved in some sort of a confrontation, even if other people are acting unreasonably.
Where do you stand on the concept of letting people cut you at security?