Walking/riding through the airport - a parable

I know a woman who has taken a couple of flights in the last few months.

On the first flight she was surprised to find the TSA staff waive her into a faster lane that did not require the removal of any electronics or jacket or shoes. It also allowed her to skip the "take a look at my nakedness" see-all machine and merely pass through the metal detector. Initially she was confused. "What's this all about?" she asked a friendly agent. She was told that her boarding pass was notated "TSA PRE" which allowed her to use the expedited/simple process. [The first time through she was shamed by travelers who hissed at her as she tried to remove her laptop from its protective bag. "You don't have to do that! Just go!"]

A GOOGLE search disclosed that this is something for which frequent flyers can apply (and probably pay). There is one for international travel called "trusted flyer." There may be others.

In any event, the woman got cocky (perhaps complacent is a better word). She started looking for the notation with each subsequent flight (and there is was!) and she forgot what it was like to be semi-stripped before getting into line with shoes, cell phone, camera, computer, shampoo and Chapstick dumped out in the plastic tub provided. She forgot about emptying pockets. And (remembering her own initial confusion) she was kind to "first timers" in the line. "It's OK" she reassured them. "You don't have to take anything out or anything off. Just go with it."

She tried to explain her good fortune to friends who did not believe that she was selected somehow magically for the (almost) "vip" (still not big/not important enough for capital "VIP") treatment. They were convinced she applied, that she paid for the code.

And then it happened...she was traveling with a person recovering from surgery - which necessitated a wheelchair. The wheelchair-bound flew through the airport with an escort and boarding pass envelope promising PRE-BOARD. Ms. TSA PRE was urged to just follow the chair. So she did, running to keep up...smack-dab into the land of the devil of removal of shoes and emptying of pockets.

The wheelchair-bound was relieved of her belongings with efficiency and grace. She was soon on the other side of security resting comfortably with her escort - waiting.

Ms. TSA PRE was unprepared.  "Is this your backpack?"  "Do you have any other wires in here?"

"I am not supposed to be in this line," said she as she quickly threw shoes and coat into the tub. "Well you are in it now. What's that in your pocket? Our wand alerted on your jean button. We must wipe your fingers to check and see if there is anything questionable because your jeans have a button." - the quick and none-too-friendly response.

Ah, finally she was on the other side of security, once again flying through the terminal to the gate behind the chair bearing her friend. The privilege of pre-boarding did not seem sufficient to balance out the chaotic (and unnecessary) drama of the "slow and thorough" line.

A look was exchanged between the two friends as they settled at the gate. It was a look that said, "How crazy was that?" And then the friends dissolved into laughter.

What is the lesson here? Take the train? Don't be cocky? Wear elastic-waisted slacks?

Perhaps there is no lesson other than - Life is absurd, be prepared to laugh (and empty your pockets).