A 23-year-old from Manchester has turned queuing into a lucrative side hustle, earning £250 per gig by standing in line on behalf of others. AJ Hubbins, who works in TV and film production, started queuing professionally for the grand opening of a Sephora store in Liverpool.
First Queuing Experience
For his first job, AJ arrived at 8pm and waited 13 hours until the 9am opening. He had no food, water, or warm coat. 'I had a small foldable chair, but not much else. I was a little underprepared,' he said. He ended up ordering pizza to his spot in the queue.
Queuing Community
Despite the UK's strict queuing etiquette, AJ found the atmosphere relaxed and sociable. 'It's easy to communicate with people. It's quite fun,' he said. He now brings a better chair, a sleeping mat, food, and drinks. He also makes friends who save his spot when he needs a break.
Growing Demand
According to Airtasker, the platform where AJ finds jobs, requests for professional queuers have increased by 50% over the past two years. The average Brit spends 15 days a year queuing, and 44% say they waste up to three hours a day waiting.
Tips and Tricks
AJ advises bringing proper gear and making friends in line. He has seen seasoned queuers with tents, sleeping bags, and even pyjamas. 'It's like a whole living room set-up,' he said. He also enjoys playing games like charades and trivia with fellow queuers.
Challenges
Queuing overnight can be cold and uncomfortable. Some promoters provide ponchos and umbrellas in the rain, but AJ gets irritated when events run late or are poorly managed. He also notes that he sometimes feels out of place among teenage fans, but he enjoys listening to their gossip.
Other Quirky Jobs
AJ has also used Airtasker for last-minute Valentine's Day gift shopping and hiring help to move house. He values the variety and patience the work has taught him. 'I always thought of myself as a pretty patient person, but standing in queues for hours has made me really patient,' he said.
