A Cut Above

TSA PreCheck used to offer something priceless: the opportunity to walk past other people while feeling slightly better than them. Keeping your shoes on was merely a bonus.

But when the PreCheck line stretches beyond regular security, what exactly have we purchased? A subscription to standing?

Naturally, the solution is more tiers: CLEAR, Global Entry, touchless screening, priority lanes. Soon we’ll need Platinum Ultra PreCheck Reserve, featuring a velvet rope and someone whispering, “You’re very important.”

The trouble with selling exclusivity to everybody is that everybody eventually buys it. Then we’re just ordinary people again, holding roller bags.