Originally Posted by
iahphx
It's harsh, but there is some truth to Keay's comments.
When you go to a movie theatre, you don't expect to get a drink and snack for free. If you want them, you have to pay for them -- at an inflated price, no less.
But we're all accustomed to getting at least a beverage for free when we fly. If we never received these before, we wouldn't be surprised to pay for them.
I can sneak a soda and twizzlers into a Movie Theater. I can't exactly sneak a BigGulp through security, and forcing people to purchase water/soda airside only makes the airport more money while increasing cleanup costs and turnarounds for the airline: "oops, sorry I dropped 32oz of soda on the seat and floor next to me. I've only got 2 hands, and I needed them to stuff my bags in the overhead because the $25 checked baggage charge is already an insult!"
On a TCON in Y, I'm captive for 4+hours in a stiff, 17" wide seat with my knees crammed against my face. The least they can do is give me a soda that costs them $0.20.