Don't quite understand the complaint here.

So, the OP's friends were late. They appeared to pay for an expiate service to get to the front of the line faster. Happens every day (yes even here in the US) for airport security, a table at a restaurant, etc. It happens.

If folks don't think this happens every day, you’re kidding yourself.

There is actually a paid service here in NYC to get you through the airport faster and go to the front of the security line where the guys bully up front and get away with it. Don't think for a second they just get away with this. It happens because someone is obviously getting a cut.