Reader Mark, who just flew US Airways and experienced firsthand how a small bottle of water now costs $2, reports that passengers are none too happy about having to pay for soft drinks. He sends in this anecdote:
I sat next to an off duty flight attendant and she told me people are rebelling by only paying with $20’s. Since they have no change, the flight attendants end up comping the drinks. Unique, at least…
Ouch. Exact change is even more appreciated now, I bet.
I feel bad for the flight attendants who have to enact the policy and deal with surly (or wise-ass) passengers. And having to explain to management why the till is empty has to be no fun, either, just another layer of hassle for the already beaten-up and subsequently disaffected inflight staff.
But I admire the passengers’ spunk!
(And yes, I’m sure the airlines that haven’t yet rolled out card-swipe machines for buy-on-board will unveil them soon enough, so work the system while you can.)
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August 5th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I think AirTran already scans debit and credit cards for onboard purchases, there might be some others. I believe Southwest will be going cashless soon as well.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Just because they’ll have a card-swipe machine doesn’t mean that they’ll get my credit card. I’m one of those guys who’s made the switch to a cash-only lifestyle. Because it’s good for ALL debts, public and private.
They’ll continue to get $20s from me at least, and here’s hoping they can make change for me and everyone else.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:18 am
They needn’t bother rolling out the card machines – once people get used to being charged two dollars for a small bottle of water, they’ll be boarding carrying their own.
Of course, it would be better if airside shops flogged anything other Dasani…
August 5th, 2008 at 8:29 am
This from Alaska Airlines today:
“Beginning August 5, you no longer need to hunt for cash to pay for onboard purchases. At that time we begin our “Cashless Cabin” which allows the use of major credit or debit cards for all in-flight purchases. As part of the cashless cabin, cash will no longer be accepted onboard. However, for a limited time, when you use your Alaska Airlines Visa card you’ll earn 10 miles for every dollar spent in flight.”
Obviously they’ve calculated the fuel savings of not having to carry wads of cash and change on board
August 5th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I believe that Alaska Airlines, nor any other airline, can refuse cash because it is legal tender for all debts (except pennies, they ironically are not considered legal tender which is why the penny squishing machines are legal).
August 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Jason, you are mistaken. The airlines (and anybody else) can refuse to take nickels, $2 bills, or any other US currency/coinage *in advance of a proposed transaction*. (In other words, they can condition a transaction on payment being made in a specified form.)
The “legal tender” doctrine only means that once a debt is incurred — as through a completed credit transaction — the debtor’s “tender” of official currency/coinage is valid. If the creditor demands another form of payment and then sues on the debt, the creditor will be denied certain legal remedies (such as interest for the period after the tender).
August 5th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
This kind of story makes me love the world more. People are so crafty…
August 5th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Because the airlines have delayed so many flights, and because meals are so awful on board i generally pack enough food for two full meals and two snacks as well as 3 bottles of water and a large soda or two. If we all did that how much fuel would the airlines save?
BTW the only problem here is paying for the drinks airside due to security. The condiments fit in my toiletry bag nicely
August 5th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
“(except pennies, they ironically are not considered legal tender which is why the penny squishing machines are legal).”
WHAT? That’s not the case at all. The reason those machines are legal is because the statue that governs money mutilation, U.S. Title 18, Chapter 17, Section 331, prohibits fraudulent alteration and mutilation of coins.
The statue does not bar the mutilation of coins if done without fraudulent intent if the mutilated coins are not used fraudulently.
As for pennies not being legal tender. The best I can do is point your here:
http://www.snopes.com/business/money/pennies.asp
This probably explains where you got that idea and why it is wrong.
Oh, and the airlines suck. The first rule of life is that you don’t take things away from people that they’ve come to like. Figure out another way. Seriously.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
[...] Not to mention the fact that clever passengers were getting around the fee by paying with $20 bills… [...]