Too rich to queue? Why markets and morals don’t fit (The Guardian -UK)

May 12, 2012

We are moving towards a world where everything is up for sale, from standing in line to the right to pollute – and that’s bad for all of us, says Michael Sandel in this extract from his new book, What Money Can’t Buy…

Long queues at airport security checkpoints make air travel an ordeal. But not everyone has to wait. Those with first- or business-class tickets can use priority lanes that take them to the front of the queue for screening. British Airways calls it Fast Track, a service that also lets high-paying passengers go first at passport and immigration control. But most people can’t afford to fly first class, so the airlines have begun offering economy passengers the chance to buy queue-jumping privileges as an à la carte perk – at Luton Airport, for example, customers can pay £3 to go to the head of the security queue.

Read complete article in TheGuardian.co.uk