There's been a lot of news lately about long lines at airports. The head of daily operations at the Transportation Security Administration wasremoved from office earlier this week, as frustrations mount at the country's bigger airports. So far the wait times haven't impacted the Boise Airport, but that doesn't mean passengers shouldn't arrive early for flights.
One of the impacts of longer lines is a downturn at airport businesses. According to the Boise Weekly, one solution to that problem is Grab, a smartphone app that lets you buy food from vendors at the airport remotely.
Here's the idea: If you get stuck in a long security line, you can order grub from your phone and pick it up on the way to your gate.
The app could also help out the airport vendors' bottom line.
"TSA lines have a profound impact on how much money people spend in airports. A 2015 FlightView analysis showed passengers spend up to 45 percent more if they're satisfied with their airport experience. Another FlightView analysis showed an extra 10 minutes waiting to get through security reduces retail spending at airports by up to 30 percent." -Boise Weekly
Food service manager Delaware North partnered with Grab, which operates at about a dozen other airports around the country (most of them much larger hubs like LA, Atlanta and Austin).
But unlike other airports where chain restaurants reign, half of the vendors on Boise's Grab app are local.
Just remember: smelly sandwiches and tight airplane quarters are not a great mix. Your fellow airplane passengers will probably thank you for choosing a less pungent meal.
Find Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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