Cheap air fares: just add surcharges

America's airlines - they're the ones who have told passengers to take a flying leap - have wallpapered the country with ads focusing upon how inexpensive their basic airfares are.

While I don't enjoy flying, I recently had to get from here to there and back. A few of the details are hazy, but I'm sure this is how my conversation went with a ticket agent.

"I’d like a ticket," I said with a smile.

"No problem," said the agent, equally smiling, "that'd be $300".

"But I didn't tell you where I'm going."

"Makes no difference. We're running a special this month. Anywhere for only $300. Now, would you like a seat?"

"Of course I'd like a seat!" I said.

"$75," said the agent.

"But you said the ticket was only $300."

"And it is. But if you'd like a seat, that's a surcharge."

"That's outrageous. What if I didn't want a seat?"

"We have a special this month only. No seat is only $25."