So after paying over seven hundred dollars to fly to Orlando on Delta — I was at least expecting some kind of decent service.

In retrospect I did think it was a bit odd that the reservation from the travel agent indicated that food was served on the flight, but there were dollar signs next to that phrase.

So, we get to the airport and agents kept telling us we’re flying Song airlines — operated by Delta.

Song? Yeah, I wondered too.

As I get to the terminal, I saw that some of the signs had been changed from Delta’s red, white, and blue to Song’s electric green.

I’ve never flown Southwest, but I imagine this is what’s it’s like. We were boarded in “zones” rather than by seat number. It was the first plane I’ve ever seen with no first class. Just rows, and rows, of narrow flourescent colored seats. As we were seated, the flight attendants handed out menus — that’s right menus. Fruit and Cheese, $4.00. Sandwiches, $8.00. They accept credit cards.

I found this extraordinary. In all my years of flying, everyone I’ve ever known has disparaged airline food. Now, all of a sudden — we’re expected to pay for it?

Well, at least soda and juice are free — although I hated my rancid orange juice.

Movies, entertainment on our five hour flight — not likely — fortunately a friend had lent us his portable DVD player. They didn’t even have music channels. For hours of turbulent flight — entertainment is always appreciated.

I’ve always been against skinny planes for cross country travel. A wide bodied jet is always good, twelve seats across, plenty of bathrooms. Song seems to be copying the Continental model, badly. Small planes — really long trips — all in all not too pleasant.

The skinny from the stewardesses — Song was created in April by Delta to compete with Southwest, JetBlue — the latest craze in airlines — the Wal-Mart theory — discounting makes money. So far there’s been no advertising of this new line of flights. Would I do it again — maybe.

If the websites advertised fares are true. They say $80-90 each way, I played $180.

If they give you more room. They jammed over two hundred twenty seats into a Boeing 757.

If they get some entertainment. For five hours — you need something.

If Song is competing with Jet Blue — in my eyes, they’re already losing . . .