Attendant:
Welcome aboard Ala Carte Air, sir. May I see your ticket?
Passenger:
Sure.
Attendant:
You're in seat 12B. That will be $5, please!
Passenger:
What for?
Attendant:
For telling you where to sit.
Passenger:
But I already knew where to sit.
Attendant:
Nevertheless, we are now charging a seat-locator fee of $5. It's the airline's new policy.
Passenger:
That's the craziest thing I ever heard. I won't pay it.
Attendant:
Sir, do you want a seat on this flight, or not?
Passenger:
Yes, yes. All right, I'll pay. But the airline is going to hear about this.
Attendant:
Thank you. My goodness, your carry-on bag looks heavy. Would you like me to stow it in the overhead compartment for you?
Passenger:
That would be swell, thanks.
Attendant:
No problem (grunts). Up we go, and done! That will be $10, please.
Passenger:
What?
Attendant:
The airline now charges a $10 carry-on assistance fee.
Passenger:
This is extortion. I won't stand for it.
Attendant:
Actually, you're right -- you can't stand. You need to sit, and fasten your seat belt. We're about to push back from the gate. But first I need that $10.
Passenger:
No way.
Attendant:
Sir, if you don't comply, I will be forced to call the Air Marshal. And you really don't want me to do that.
Passenger:
Why not? Is he going to shoot me?
Attendant:
No, but there's a $50 Air-Marshal hailing fee.
Passenger:
Oh, all right, here -- take the $10. I can't believe this.
Attendant:
Thank you for your cooperation, sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Passenger:
Yes. It's stuffy in here, and my overhead fan doesn't seem to work. Can you fix it?
Attendant:
Your overhead fan is not broken, sir. Just insert two quarters into the overhead coin slot for the first five minutes.
Passenger:
The airline is charging me for cabin air?
Attendant:
Of course not, sir. Stagnant cabin air is provided free of charge. It's the circulating air that costs 50 cents.
Passenger:
I don't have any quarters. Can you make change for a dollar?
Attendant:
Certainly, sir! Here you go!
Passenger:
But you've given me only three quarters for my dollar.
Attendant:
Yes, there's a change-making fee of 25 cents.
Passenger:
For cryin' out loud. All I have left is a lousy quarter? What the heck can I do with this?
Attendant:
Hang onto it. You'll need it later for the lavatory…
If this weren't so close to the truth, it'd be funnier.
Mudge the ex-airline guy