Having just concluded a teeth-gnashing encounter with the airline industry (nothing unusual happened; I simply flew somewhere), I was in no mood to read this article about the new methods airlines use to leverage more money out of the pockets of their customers. The latest: A fee you pay for the privilege of paying a baggage fee at the ticket counter. It’s a fee on a fee.

According to the article, various airlines now charge — or have considered charging — fees for sitting on the emergency exit row; booking a flight online; picking any seat at all; using the onboard bathroom; using a sick bag; or (get this) simply checking in.

Shades of David Puddy:

PUDDY: (While punching up numbers on a calculator) I just left out a couple of things: rust-proofing..
JERRY: “Rust-proofing”?
PUDDY: (Reading off what he’s adding up on the calculator) Transport charge, storage surcharge, additional overcharge, finder’s fee …
JERRY: “Finder’s fee”? It was on the lot!
PUDDY: Yeah, that’s right. (Continues reading off) Floor mats, keys …
JERRY: ‘Keys”?!
PUDDY: How ya gonna start it?

Truly, life imitates art — or at least it imitates  “Seinfeld.”