The Rise of the Professional Queuer
AJ Hubbins, a 23-year-old from Manchester, has discovered a lucrative niche in the service industry: standing in line for others. His unique profession involves queuing for concert tickets, pop-up store launches, and exclusive product releases, a service that has seen a significant surge in demand, particularly in large urban centers where waiting times can be exceptionally long.
A Lucrative First Experience
Hubbins’ initial foray into professional queuing was for the grand opening of a Sephora store in Liverpool. Undersupplied and unprepared for the 13-hour overnight wait, he lacked essentials like food, water, and even a warm coat. Despite the daunting prospect of such a lengthy wait, he found himself surprisingly enjoying the experience. For this inaugural job, he was compensated £250 to be among the first 500 customers, securing a coveted goodie bag.
“I will queue for absolutely anything,” Hubbins stated. “My first queuing job was for the grand opening of Sephora in Liverpool, and that was 13 hours. But I will queue for anything: concerts, tickets, new products and so on.” He arrived at 8 pm for a 9 am opening, finding approximately 100 people already in line. “I had a small foldable chair, but not much else. I was a little underprepared. I had no food, so I had to order a pizza to my place in the line. Now I am a bit more geared up for it,” he added.
The Art of the Queue
While the UK is known for its strict, unwritten queuing etiquette, Hubbins found the community within the lines to be remarkably relaxed and social. He discovered that by forming camaraderie with fellow queuers, he could arrange for his spot to be held while he took breaks for food, drinks, or restroom visits.
“Now I bring everything,” Hubbins explained. “I bring a better chair, a mat to sleep on, food and drink. It is a lot easier if you make yourself comfortable with the people around you in the queue, because you’re going to be with them for quite a while. And it is sociable. It’s easy to communicate with people. It’s quite fun.”
The queue for the Sephora opening grew rapidly, eventually numbering around a thousand people. Hubbins observed some individuals with tents, a realization that prompted him to consider more extensive preparations for future assignments. He noted that some seasoned queuers arrived equipped with pyjamas, slippers, sleeping bags, and camping mats, creating what he described as a “whole living room set-up.”
A Social and Engaging Experience
The waiting periods often fostered a sense of community, with attendees engaging in games like charades and Heads Up!. Hubbins found these interactions to be stimulating, admitting his weaknesses in general trivia but appreciating the “exciting” atmosphere. He also connected with other professional queuers who offered valuable tips.
Upon reaching the front of the line, Hubbins collected the goodie bag, filled with an assortment of beauty products, for his client. This experience solidified his commitment to the profession, and he now regularly takes on queuing jobs, negotiating fees directly with each client.
Supplementing Income and Broadening Skills
Hubbins undertakes queuing work to supplement his primary occupation in TV and film production. He finds these opportunities through online service marketplaces. Data from such platforms indicates that the average British individual spends approximately 15 days annually waiting in lines, with nearly half reporting wasting up to three hours each day in queues. Over the past two years, requests for professional queuers have increased by 50 percent.
Hubbins described the events as generally well-organized, often featuring entertainment like musicians or the distribution of free samples. “£250 for essentially not doing anything is good money,” he commented. “And it can be a fun experience, with everyone being social and getting to know one another. The atmosphere is usually amazing.”
Challenges and Observations
Despite the advantages, the job is not without its difficulties. Cold nights and uncomfortable sleeping arrangements in camping chairs can be challenging, although some event organizers provide rain gear. Hubbins also expressed frustration with poorly managed events or significant delays.
He has witnessed some extreme dedication from event enthusiasts, recounting an instance of a mother who brought her primary school-aged children to a queue straight from school. They waited overnight, returned to school in the morning, and the mother then resumed her place in the queue.
Hubbins acknowledges that his presence, often towering over younger fans, can sometimes make him appear out of place. However, he enjoys the candid conversations and insights into people’s lives that emerge during the extended waiting periods, which he finds keeps the experience from becoming dull.
Beyond Queuing
Hubbins’ entrepreneurial spirit extends to other unconventional tasks found on service platforms. He has previously assisted customers in purchasing last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts, such as roses and chocolates, for panicked partners. He also utilizes these services himself, having hired assistance for tasks like moving house.
“He was really good, professional and friendly,” Hubbins said of one such service provider. “I enjoy the work. It’s varied, you meet people and it’s taught me things. I always thought of myself as a pretty patient person, but standing in queues for hours has made me really patient.””
