Robert Samuel, 50, wearing a black hat embroidered with "LineDudes" in gold, blends into the security line at a New York airport. He is the founder of Same Ole Line Dudes, a service that turns the tiresome experience of waiting into a unique business model.
Samuel's entrepreneurial idea emerged during a 42-day US government shutdown over budget disputes. During this period, approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees were unpaid, disrupting airport operations. Security wait times sometimes extended to 5 hours. Recognizing that waiting had become a daunting prospect, Samuel decided to address this need.
Same Ole Line Dudes charges about 25 USD per hour, with a minimum two-hour booking required. In return, passengers can freely leave to eat, work, or rest, returning only when their turn is near.
 |
Long lines at a New York airport, US. Photo: New York Post |
Long lines at a New York airport, US. Photo: New York Post
To complete his work, Samuel typically arrives 6-7 hours before a flight. He poses as a regular passenger, carrying a soft fabric travel bag to avoid drawing attention. When only about 20 people remain ahead, he calls the client to take his place. According to regulations, he holds a spot for only one person. If traveling in a group, clients must hire additional line-standers accordingly.
While waiting, Samuel passes the time by watching movies on his phone or chatting with those around him. He currently manages a team of about 30 people, aged 21 to 80. His team operates beyond airports, also standing in line for luxury brand purchases, securing reservations at high-end restaurants, buying Broadway event tickets, or waiting for court sessions. Depending on the event, staff sometimes camp on sidewalks or in parking lots overnight.
The appeal of this model lies in people's willingness to pay to reclaim their free time. Jimmy Payne, 54, a ticket seller from Louisiana, also unexpectedly profited from a similar service. Initially, he made a joking post on Facebook about offering to stand in line at the airport. The post unexpectedly garnered nearly 20,000 likes.
Dozens of people messaged him to hire his services, and some even inquired about joining his team. Payne's clients are prepared to pay 600 to 1,200 USD for a reserved spot, depending on the airport, with advance booking and upfront payment. The client's role is to arrive on time, step into the secured position, and proceed directly through security.
"Many people are willing to pay for time. Especially at airports, time is consumed quickly but yields no value," Payne shared.
Ngoc Ngan (Via New York Post)
