Living on Cold, Hard Cash: In Flight, Out of Luck

Friday, April 2, 2010

Before I launched my little experiment to see what it's like to go through life paying with cash, I didn't really notice when business after business declared themselves "cash free." Unfortunately, my airline of choice (which shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) went "cashless" onboard in January. I didn't even notice, since my wallet full of plastic granted me immunity.

Below is a recent exchange between me and a flight attendant

Flight Attendant: "Would you like peanuts, pretzels, or cookies?"
Me: "I'd like a fruit and cheese box."
Flight Attendant: "$6, please."
Me: (Attempting to hand her $6 in cash.) "Thanks."
Flight Attendant: "I'm sorry, sir. We no longer accept cash for onboard purchases."
Me: (Fibbing to try to get my way) "But this is all I have."
Flight Attendant: "In that case I can offer you peanuts, pretzels, or cookies. Which would you like?"
Me: (Holding out the $6 again.) "I'd like the fruit and cheese box. I'm really, really hungry. Can't you please just take this?"
Flight Attendant: "No, sir. I'm sorry, but we only accept credit and debit cards. I can give you several packages of peanuts, pretzels, or cookies if you would like, though."

While she was incredibly gracious, she certainly stuck to her guns. Now, at this point I felt pretty embarrassed and somewhat foolish. Then, it got a bit more awkward.

Person Sitting Next to Me: (Taking the $6 from my hand.) "Here. Put it on my card. And I'll take a Bloody Mary."

The kindness of a stranger allowed me to have my fruit and cheese box. Of course, I felt compelled to explain my experiment to my rescuer, because it's just embarrassing to find that you can't pay for something. I even pulled out my wallet to show him my plastic in a vain attempt to feel like a "normal" person, again. He was fairly understanding, but I was still embarrassed.

Of course, this experiment has cost me more than a little embarrassment and discomfort. Stay tuned for my last entry in which I'll report on the cost of this adventure in terms of time and cold, hard cash!


Chris Pigg
VP Client Development