This op-ed argues that when you allow everyone into a space, that space ceases to be functional and loses the elements that made it special.
The article meanders: It's essentially a wealthy millennial opining on the fact that credit-card companies have allowed more and more people access to their "exclusive" lounges.
But let's look at a few key quotes:
There have never been more airport lounges. Yet there also have never seemed to be more lounges that are not worth the hassle. Many are forlorn. Many others are overcrowded; sometimes the lines for the lounges are the longest in the airport. Yet we all still fight to get in.
…
Once reserved mostly for older, frequent business travelers, lounges are increasingly being invaded by people like me …
…
Airports and airplanes have long been places where people are regularly and openly sorted into classes, and there is something innately human about striving (or paying) to get to the top — or at least a half-step higher than where you started.
So to sum up: There used to be something special about the exclusivity of an airport lounge.
Each lounge had its own identity and it took effort to gain access to that lounge. Someone had to commit to be a patron of a particular company to earn the point/miles necessary to be a citizen of the lounge.
But now these companies have given access to the masses, which have made the lounges just another generic section of the airport. No one feels like they belong anywhere or to anything and everything is crowded all the time. When everyone has access, no one does.
Huh.
Why do you ladies and gentlemen think the NYT changed the headline on this story?? 🤔
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