Do famous people have to wait in line?

[dulcemariamar]

I know this is a silly question but I always wonder if famous people have to wait in line when they travel. Do they have to wait in line when they go to WDW with their kids or when they go to the Eiffel Tower?

[emilyinchile]

Nick Lachey waited in line to check in for Southwest at LAX over Thanksgiving weekend when I was in college. That's all I can tell you for sure.

Otherwise, I'd guess a lot of places the super famous people probably don't have to. Beyond the fact that celebs just get perks, I bet for theme parks it's easier to let them cut than to deal with the rest of the line getting unruly and swarming the celeb.

[Deleted]

Woody Allen was in line for us border control in the UK once.

[Deleted]

When we came home from France this summer, Harvey Keitel was right behind us at baggage claim. He had about 15 pieces of luggage that he was waiting for, and was there with his wife, a kid, a nanny/personal assistant type, and two Air France employees who were helping him. His bags came out quickly because he had flown first class. Our luggage took over an hour (HUGE plane).

I would imagine usually they wait in airline lounges, go through first class security, etc. so you don't see them.

I have seen many celebrities waiting in line, waiting for tables, etc. in New York. Some definitely get special treatment, but when going about their daily business, many don't.

[GilliC]

Once when I was killing time in the lounge during a layover at EWR, I met a guy whose job it is to shepherd mega-celebrities through the airport. In those cases, the famous people don't have to wait in line at airport security, because (from my understanding) they can create a bigger threat from the crowd, the photos, and the general hubub they cause from hanging around. He got called away while I was there; apparently the X Factor judges were traveling through Newark that day.

[babygirlpriest]

Don't know about other places but I think most airports (at least the major ones) have special services that provide personal, private check-in, etc. for celebrities.

[Deleted]

I think they should. Ben Affleck waited in line at Starbucks behind my husband in NYC. He asked him if he was in line. My friend's bf owns a Paciugo in Dallas. Owen Wilson ordered and just walked out without paying. What a douche.

[basilosaurus]

In the other thread, I mentioned being in a security line with a celebrity. It was the priority line at least, but it still took quite awhile.

[Deleted]

The air hostess made Bryan Habana who was the best rugby player in the world at the time move from the Business class line to the economy line (which is what they were travelling in). I don't think she knew who he was and I don't think he did it on purpose, he moved with no fuss.

[Deleted]

Nov 27, 2012 20:16:12 GMT -5 @publius said:

I've often wondered how sports teams travel. Business? Economy? Chartered? Is it one of those things that depends on the sport and the team?

At least some do charter:

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204840504578084950150350388.html

[Deleted]

Nov 27, 2012 20:16:12 GMT -5 @publius said:

I've often wondered how sports teams travel. Business? Economy? Chartered? Is it one of those things that depends on the sport and the team?

For the super rugby (teams from Aust, NZ and Sth Africa) and for the tri nations (or the 4 nations now I think) they all fly business for flights more than 5 hrs. So the poor springboks flew business to perth played in perth flew economy to syd then economy to Auckland....those front row forwards are 120kg+ and the second rowers are 6'6, stuff economy...

[lo]

All I know is that Flavor Flav waited in line to check in at Southwest, but then he was ushered off into some private area and boarded the plane last. This was at Albany, NY airport... I don't think we get many celebs!

[dorothyinAus]

Nov 27, 2012 20:16:12 GMT -5 @publius said:

I've often wondered how sports teams travel. Business? Economy? Chartered? Is it one of those things that depends on the sport and the team?

I was on a flight to Canberra with an Aussie Rules Football team -- they travelled economy. My brother was on a flight with the Spanish National Basketball team who were also in economy. I know the New Orleans Saints have a chartered flight that lands in a different area of the airport when they travel.

I can't say I've ever seen celebrities on vacation, but I have seen them browsing in bookstores and waiting in line to pay. I have also seen many celebrities waiting in line at Galatoire's in New Orleans -- it's famous for not accepting reservations, so anyone who wants to go has to stand in line on Bourbon Street. I know being a celebrity in that instance does not necessarily get you better treatment; unless the people around you in line volunteer to give up their spot.

[Waffles]

I guess it depends on the celebrity... We had the entire Iraqi football team on our flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi and they flew economy. What appeared to be the manager was in business though...

We found it quite funny to see the great majority of them rush off to duty free for cigarettes & booze and sit down to a burger kind meal in transit... Dedicated sportsmen?

[taffy]

Nov 27, 2012 20:16:12 GMT -5 @publius said:

I've often wondered how sports teams travel. Business? Economy? Chartered? Is it one of those things that depends on the sport and the team?

It depends on the team. I've worked an Astros charter. We also charter quite a few of the pro football teams. I've seen but not worked a University of Texas charter.

The pro sports team can actually request their crew. Contrary to what you'd think they don't always go for the young cute f/a's! A flight attendant for the Astros charter had called in sick last minute so I got called to do it. It was my last flight before going on maternity leave and I'm not real sure what they thought of a 7mo pg lady waddling up and down the aisle. They were super nice.....very superstitious though.

[ckinla]

Disneyland (and probably WDW) has a guide that will escort you around the park if you're famous (or really rich and want to spend the money) and take you to the front of the line. My BF personally know a celeb who does this often.