In a world where time is increasingly valuable and patience increasingly scarce, professional line standers have created a unique service industry by doing what most people dread: waiting in long lines.
Professional line standers are paid to wait in queues for anything from limited-edition product releases and sample sales to concert tickets, restaurant reservations, and even government services. Their clients are typically affluent individuals or busy professionals willing to pay for the convenience of skipping the wait.
The business model is straightforward: line standers arrive hours—sometimes days—before an event or opening, secure a place in line, and then surrender their spot to the client when they arrive shortly before access is granted. Some line standers operate independently through social media or classified ads, while others work for agencies that coordinate services in major cities.
In high-demand situations, the compensation can be substantial. For overnight waits or multi-day camp-outs, professional line standers may charge $25-50 per hour. Premium services in New York City and other major metropolitan areas can command even higher rates, with some line standers earning several hundred dollars for a single job. Seasonal events like Supreme clothing drops, Apple product launches, or Black Friday sales represent peak earning opportunities.
Breaking into the profession requires little more than patience, reliability, and weather-appropriate clothing. The most successful line standers develop expertise in particular niches—knowing, for instance, the best positions to secure at congressional hearings or the optimal strategies for navigating the wait for cronuts at a trendy bakery.
Companies like Same Ole Line Dudes in New York City and Skip The Line in Washington, DC, have formalized what began as a gig economy sideline. These services maintain rosters of professional waiters who can be deployed to various venues, with the agencies handling booking, pricing, and client communication.
The profession isn't without controversy. Critics argue that professional line standing creates a two-tiered system where access is determined by ability to pay rather than willingness to wait. This is particularly contentious for government services or public hearings, where paid line standers may displace citizens trying to participate in civic processes.
Despite these ethical questions, the demand for professional waiting services continues to grow, reflecting broader economic trends where convenience and time-saving are increasingly monetized. As one veteran line stander told The New York Times, "As long as people value their time more than their money, I'll have a job."