Lucali, a popular cash-only pizzeria in Carroll Gardens, has become a hotspot for hiring Taskers through TaskRabbit to wait in line for a table, especially after recent visits by celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Taskers charge an average of $20 an hour to wait in line at Lucali, with some waiting up to three hours for a spot. This service has become increasingly popular as people look for ways to secure a table at the busy restaurant without having to wait in line themselves.
One 42-year-old publicist, Lesa Raab, hired a Tasker to queue for her at Lucali and was charged $65 for a two-hour wait that resulted in getting a table for four at 6:30 p.m. This experience led her to recommend the service to her friends after failing to secure a table on her own in the past. The top five restaurants in the city for hiring Taskers to wait in line include Kisa, Double Chicken Please, Emilio’s Ballato, and Via Carota, where celebrities like Taylor Swift have been spotted dining.
TaskRabbit has seen a significant increase in requests for line-waiters, with a 56% increase in October compared to September in New York City. This trend is also evident nationally, with an 18% increase in demand for this service in the past year. Taskers like Tanya B and Collins B are able to make a substantial income through waiting in line at various restaurants and events, with Collins B making as much as $2,000 a month from this service. The rise in demand for professional line-waiters has led to increased business, especially during the holiday season.
Professional line waiters like Tanya B and Collins B have developed strategies to navigate the challenges they face while waiting for tables at popular restaurants. Tanya B always comes prepared with comfortable shoes, layers of clothing, an umbrella, a portable stool, water, and snacks. She also encounters other line waiters on nearly every job, some of whom may resort to unethical tactics to secure tables. Collins B has had to deal with issues like people trying to cut the line and has mastered the art of communicating with clients to ensure a seamless transition when they arrive.
Despite the challenges, professional line waiters find this service appealing due to the relatively easy money it provides. For these Taskers, the ability to make extra income by using their patience as a skill is a lucrative opportunity. With the demand for line-waiters on the rise, TaskRabbit continues to see an increase in requests for this service, indicating a growing trend in outsourcing the task of waiting in line. As more people look for convenient ways to secure tables at popular restaurants, the need for Taskers to wait in line is likely to continue growing in the future.
