It's Up to the Flight Attendant???

You're probably aware that USAir/Dare/Scare has begun charging for soft drinks and water. Well, CNBC just reported that flight attendants have discretion to charge the full $2 or if the passenger balks, $1 or even free. This takes stupidity to a new level. In other words, I as a passenger now have incentive to get angry with the flight attendants??? I have long since stopped being surprised at the complete lunacy of airlines management but I've got to admit, this one takes it to a new level.

• We're going to piss you off by imposing a ridiculous fee.
• We're going to expose ourselves to lawsuits by people who get dehydrated.
• And if you get upset at this, well, we were only kidding.

I'd love to have been in on the meetings where they decided this one. If this were a Saturday Night Live skit, you'd think "this is really stretching reality" but this is the airline industry where truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

In-Flight Talking

Please pass this law. Please!!

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10004170-1.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

The last thing I want on my flight is someone talking on their cell phone, too loudly, for four hours. And you know someone will do that.

On the other hand, it can be a source of amusement...and value. Within the last five years, I was on a flight to the Pacific time zone (that won't help you identify the vendor). The guy seated next to me in 2D has his papers out on his lap and is talking on the airphone. Lawyer. He's talking strategy about the lawsuit they've got underway against the vendor I'm going to visit. Of course, I listen attentively...and when we land, call company executive and repeat the conversation. If he's going to be stupid enough to talk in public, I don't think I was under any moral obligation to keep his conversation in confidence. He didn't, so why should I. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

That said, no phones. And don't tell me we'll have phone/no phone seating. I remember when there were smoking and the-smoke-will-get-to-you-five-minutes-later sections. There was no no-smoking section. Just as there would be no quiet car. It works for Amtrak, not for airplanes. Where is that Get Smart cone of silence when you need it.