Faced with the choice to skip the long lines or stand alongside his wife and children, he wrestled with a deeper question: does taking the easier path make him selfish? In this moment, the simple act of waiting became a powerful symbol of love, empathy, and the bonds that hold a family together.
I got TSA Precheck. I got it because I travel a lot for work (tech sales). I’m take on average 15+ trips a year. I hate taking my belt off at the lines and hassles of removing shoes.
So I paid the $77 or so and got TSA precheck. It makes flying easier.
Now, in 2 months, my wife, kids and I are flying for a family wedding. The kids were talking about it at dinner tonight. My daughter being dramatic said “the lines are sooooo long at the airport”.
I said “not for me, I got TSA Pre Check”.
My wife said “you’re not going to wait in the long lines with us”.
I said “OK, in this case I will”
But would I be an asshole if I didn’t and used my TSA PreCheck? I 99% probably won’t. But wondering the consensus here.
Conclusion
The original poster (OP) faces a conflict between personal convenience, which they paid for via TSA PreCheck, and a perceived obligation to share the family experience, even the tedious parts, with their wife and children during a significant family trip.
Given the minor time savings versus the potential emotional cost to the family, is the OP being unreasonable for considering using their paid convenience, or is it fair to expect them to forgo a benefit they acquired solely for the purpose of family cohesion on this specific occasion?
Here’s how people reacted:
You take 15+ trips a month so you got pre-check and want to use it? 🙄
I travel for work as well, and quite a bit. You name it, I have it-pre-check, clear, digital ID, the new digital touchless thing that I’ve only used at JFK, etc. My husband has them as well, and the kid goes with us-his top priority at the airport is how fast he can get to Centurion or Delta Lounge.
You know who doesn’t have any of that? My delicate mother. Do you know what I did when I flew with her? I sucked it up and I went through security with her so she had someone that was comfortable handling everything. Did it take forever? Yeah, ATL sucks if you’re going through without perks. But you don’t abandon someone who doesn’t travel all the time, especially someone with THREE kids, because YOU don’t want to be slightly inconvenienced.
I hope your wife never realizes you considered this. She might never look at you the same.
Also, YTA for not sticking with your family UNLESS you had pre-arranged what you were going to do with your extra time, like get on the wait list for a restaurant or other eatery.
You never split the party.
If you’re leaving your wife with anyone under the age of 16, that’s messed up. If your kids are over 16 and capable of conducting themselves like adults then I’d say bye and use my pre-check. I hate having to take off my shoes 😅
Why is it on OP to get that for her? It’s not like an exclusive VIP program that you need a sponsor for.
Says grown man complaining on the internet about waiting in airport lines.
YTA
Pay the extra for your family to avoid the lines too.
All together either in the lines or skipping through
The update makes you an even bigger asshole now that you know kids are free. God you suck
This you?
Rage bait AH.