Show NotesCaviar on the Ground, Coach in the Air: Inside the $1,300 PS Concierge Terminal in Miami
In this episode, Max dives into one of the most surreal, over‑the‑top travel experiences available to regular commercial passengers: PS, the luxury private terminal that lets you skip the airport entirely and board your flight from the tarmac like an A‑lister.
Travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson of The Wall Street Journal spent $1,300 to test the brand‑new PS Miami facility, and her story is a wild ride through a world where caviar, chauffeured Suburbans, and private TSA checkpoints collide with basic‑economy boarding passes.
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What we cover in this episode
- How PS works — and why travelers never step inside the actual airport
- The private TSA checkpoint two miles from Miami International
- Riding across the airfield in a PS Suburban and boarding via the jetbridge stairs
- The “salon” vs. the $5,000 suites (yes, with free Apple accessories and minibars)
- Champagne and caviar service, Cubano sandwiches, and the Centurion Quiet Reserve cocktail
- Why tipping at a luxury terminal feels strange
- The joy and guilt of entering a commercial jet from the baggage‑handler door
- Whether this service is worth the money — and who it’s really for
A few standout moments from Dawn’s reporting“Seconds later, I was through security and riding in a Chevy Suburban with ‘P/S’ stamped on the side.” “I never set foot inside the airport.”
Her visit included a 15‑minute private ride across the airfield, a gift bag, and the rare privilege of boarding an American Airlines 737 from the jetbridge door normally used by ramp workers. It’s commercial flying… but with a Hollywood twist.
Why this matters for travelers
PS is expanding fast — Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Los Angeles — and it’s part of a growing trend: travelers paying for friction‑free airport experiences without going full private‑jet. Whether you’re curious, tempted, or just want to hear how the other half travels, this episode gives you the inside scoop.
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