In what way is it absurd? I wouldn't pay $45 for an airport club either. And I especially wouldn't pay $45 for an airport club operated by CO or another US airline. Even counting the nicer lounges I have been to (BA T4 lounges, SK CPH, KL non-Schengen), I wouldn't pay more than $10 or so. And I would only pay for a layover of over 2 hours. And only if that 2 hours didn't include a mealtime, as I would need to spend half of it a restaurant, anyway.

Now if CO was tossing in real food or the kind of services seen at some of the more over-the-top lounges, then the value proposition changes.

As for burgers... I can't think of a single food that I love more than a nice burger. I'll pass on the soda, though.