This Photo Is Begging for a Caption; Do It and Win Cranky Concierge Service


When I went to aa.com to learn more about American’s partnership with JetBlue, I saw this photo and just couldn’t stop laughing. That’s American CEO Gerard Arpey at right, smiling like a madman while looking at a JetBlue A320. On the left, we have a laughing JetBlue CEO Dave Barger holding on to an American 777 and staring at Gerard. A million possible thought bubbles started running through my mind, but then someone suggested a brilliant idea. Why not hold a caption contest?

Create your best caption for this photo and submit it in the comments section. The winner will get air travel assistance from Cranky Concierge for one trip for free. Take a look at the photo, see the rules below, and then start typing that caption.

Arpey and Barger


Here’s the deal. Submit as many captions as you’d like. There is no limit. Entries must be made by 11:59p Pacific Time on Monday, April 5, 2010. I alone will choose the winning entry based solely on my own judgment of what I think its funniest and nothing else. The winner will be announced in the comment section and in a blog post. Winners must claim their victory via email from the address submitted in the comment section entry. That is the only way to claim your victory, so don’t go making up fake addresses.

The prize will be air travel assistance for one trip via visit this page.

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Brett Avatar

152 responses to “This Photo Is Begging for a Caption; Do It and Win Cranky Concierge Service”

  1. mowogo Avatar
    mowogo

    Arpey: So this is what a new narrow-body looks like.
    Barger: Yes, and the inside is from THIS century.

  2. tsays Avatar
    tsays

    So this is what a COMMERCIAL jet looks like.

  3. tsays Avatar

    I don’t understand why everyone complains about leg room?

  4. tsays Avatar

    Mine looks a little bigger than yours…

  5. Scott Avatar

    Barger: Yours may be bigger, but mine’s BLUE.

  6. tsays Avatar

    Arpey:Awww…isn’t that adorable?

  7. Iceman Avatar
    Iceman

    So here’s what happened to the UA SFO-PEK flight last weekend…

  8. bf Avatar
    bf

    “why is there paint on this plane?”

    1. Bobber Avatar

      This one is the funniest (17.46 BST) :)

  9. Ken Avatar

    “On behalf of the Church of Religious Consciousness, we would like you to have an airplane model as well. Would you care to make a donation or a code share agreement?”

    1. Ben Avatar
      Ben

      This one made me laugh out loud. This one is by far the best.

  10. Anymouse Avatar

    ..and on the bright side, if your employees are successful in shoving that up your hoo-haw, it won’t hurt nearly as much…!

  11. David Askren Avatar
    David Askren

    Mine is bigger than yours…

  12. Kim Avatar

    How Big Is Yours?

  13. John Avatar
    John

    “Dave, I think it would be awesome to partner together, too bad you guys went to Sabre just as we are getting off that POS to build our own system.”

  14. Donald Avatar
    Donald

    Arpey: Do you remember Midway?
    Barger: Midway who?

  15. lee field Avatar

    Barger: “Bigger is better!”

    Bloomberg: “Now, if I could get AA HQ back in New York….”

  16. Jeffc Avatar
    Jeffc

    Gerard, who would have thought that ten years ago we were the little guys and you were the big behemoth in the USA. And then we made that little code-share deal. Now it’s 2020 and JetBlue and our German partners own the whole combined airline. Doesn’t that AA silver “lack of” paint job look quaint ?

  17. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Yeah you’re right…RJ’s have way to much room. Our customers will love our new “ultra efficient mini jets”.

  18. Perry Avatar
    Perry

    “An Airbus! How quaint.”

  19. Perry Avatar

    “Congratulations, kid. You made it to The Show.”

  20. Perry Avatar

    “I’m going to crush this model with my bare hands, like I’m going to crush this upstart airline!”

  21. Andrew Avatar

    “You’re gonna have to pry this Triple Seven from my cold, dead hands, because it’s coming home with me!”

  22. Andrew Avatar

    (Fat guy in background): “I’m gonna take you down if you try to walk out of here with that thing…”

  23. Frank Avatar

    barger: hey, did you fart?
    arpey: maybe…

  24. b757capt Avatar

    Arpey “The World is Mine, AHAHAHA The World is Mine.”

  25. DGS Avatar
    DGS

    “Keep smiling, Arpey. Just wait until your unions here about this…”

  26. allysdad Avatar
    allysdad

    Barger “wait, AA doesn’t fly to ICN?”

  27. JM Avatar

    Barger: “Gerard, I brought this along to show you what an airplane built after 1990 looks like.”

  28. JM Avatar

    Bloomberg: “Yeah, those are about the only kinds of models you two guys are going to get. Enjoy the toys, fellas.”

  29. JM Avatar

    Barger: “Hey, Gerard. Who invited Drew Carey to this shindig?”

  30. Ponderosa Avatar

    I went to New York and all I got was this little airplane

    1. David SFeastbay Avatar

      So far this was the only one that made me laugh.

  31. Smail Avatar
    Smail

    Dinner… is served!

  32. paul Avatar
    paul

    “I’ve never really looked at if from this angle, it does appear to be smaller”

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Dave Barger: “Mine has ETOPS – 180… How are you going to trump that?”

  34. Greg R. Avatar

    “I went to New York City and all I got was a stupid jetBlue airplane?”

  35. Jared Avatar

    This fucking thing drove out out of Long Beach?

    1. Jared Avatar

      oops…”This fucking thing drove us out of Long Beach?”

  36. Zach Avatar

    Andy Warhol (background, in grey tie and glasses) officiates bizarre corporate marriage.

  37. Davester Avatar
    Davester

    Barger: Nice try, Champ. You need to go much smaller than this if you wanna translate our cost efficiencies to your legacy operation.
    Arpey: You *are* right Barger. We need to go smaller. Best part is, this little aircraft is cheaper than even those 35 year old TWA MD-80’s. I can see our shareholders salivating now. (diabolical grin).

  38. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Barger : Yeh, its a fuel efficient european import. Got a modern entertainment system, easy maintenance – sure you dont see many in silver.

  39. Xtine Avatar
    Xtine

    Barger: are you sure this is gonna work?
    Arpey: I have no idea but it’s sure gonna piss off the Germans!
    Bloomberg: remember – I heart NYC sticker on every wing tip right?

  40. Christine Avatar

    Barger: Yours isn’t that big.
    Arpey: That’s what she said.

    1. Matt Avatar
      Matt

      Ha, Ha!! This one made me laugh!!

  41. Richie Avatar
    Richie

    It’s not the size that counts, unless you’re trying to fit it into a tight landing slot.

  42. Jeff Avatar

    Gerard Arpey: Now is our chance to absorb the weenies and get them out of the way!
    Dave Barger: Yah! big shiny airplanes!

  43. Greg R. Avatar

    Arpey: “Since when do I attend events with a regional airline?”

  44. Greg R. Avatar

    Barger: “Pssst, Gerard! I think Tony Soprano is behind us. Pretend you’re enjoying this.”

  45. Joel Avatar
    Joel

    “Dave–this will be the only aircraft American can afford in the next year to come–the scale model that is.”

  46. ark Avatar

    I don’t care how far you want me to shove it… It still won’t fit!

  47. Bryan Avatar

    Oooooo, shiny. So very… shiny!

  48. Bryan Avatar

    Open wide, here comes the airplane!

  49. Daryl-Atlanta Avatar
    Daryl-Atlanta

    The “Great-Winged” Suppository?

  50. Benet Avatar

    Gerard Arpey: Dave, someday, when JetBlue becomes a real airline, you’ll have a … plane as big is mine.

    David Barger: You really think so Gerard?

    1. Ken Avatar
      Ken

      (Sorry to steal the caption, but I think it missed the punchline)

      Gerard Arpey: Dave, someday, when JetBlue becomes a real airline, you’ll have a … plane as big is mine.

      David Barger: You really think so Gerard?

      **Gerard Arpey: No!

  51. yo Avatar
    yo

    Sure, mine is bigger, but we are both bigger than Crandall’s!

  52. Doug Swalen Avatar

    Hey Dave, I don’t see any blue and gold on that thing. Is that a good omen?

  53. Doug Swalen Avatar

    Dave you’ve lost some weight. I told you that German diet wasn’t working…

  54. JJ Avatar
    JJ

    Gerard: I told him mine was bigger

  55. JJ Avatar

    Whoa- I guess you were right Gerard. Yours is bigger than mine

  56. Eric Avatar

    Gerald: “So Davey….you ever seen a grown plane naked?”

    RIP Peter Graves

  57. Marvin S. Avatar

    I bet you the Germans are going to be ticked.

  58. Addison Schonland Avatar

    Arpey: (not pictured) Dude you call this an airplane?
    Barger: (as pictured) Hey, that’s the biggest one we have!
    Arpey: (as pictured) We are so going to eat you alive!

  59. Marvin S. Avatar

    I was just thinking…if we merge these colors, we end up with fuschia. Jet Fuschia American…I like the ring of that.

  60. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours….

  61. Marvin S. Avatar

    Hmmm….our poor service doesn’t look as bad when the planes are this small….

  62. Thomas V. Bona Avatar
    Thomas V. Bona

    Sure our new airplanes are cramped, but I think people will really go for the low fares in Economy Minus.

  63. pf Avatar
    pf

    You can strand twice as many people on the runway as we can

  64. Mike A Avatar

    “Its mine, my own, my precious!”

  65. L. A. Avatar
    L. A.

    Arpey: “We told Airbus we have decided to quit and go into the car business as an April Fool’s joke. They dropped A320 prices $3 million on the 1/2 hour. He..He..”

    1. L. A. Avatar

      Arpey: “Told Airbus we were quitting and going into the car business for April Fool’s. They dropped A320 prices $3 million in 1/2 hour. He..He..”

      More concise.

  66. jan Avatar
    jan

    Looks like you need an upgrade, Dave.

  67. TM Avatar

    Arpey: “Hey! Look! It’s paint!”
    Barger: “Yes. It’s OUR paint. We’re just partners … not paint-sharers!”

  68. bob g Avatar
    bob g

    big people playing with their toys.

  69. Dan Avatar

    Barger: Stop laughing. Size doesn’t matter.

    Aprey: I was laughing about your routes.

  70. TM Avatar

    Arpey (holding A320): “They call this little bitty thing a plane?”
    Barger (holding 777): “Imagine all the people stranding we could do with this …”

  71. Jack Avatar
    Jack

    Not only is my plane bigger than yours but…….

  72. Jack Avatar

    I will hold yours if you will hold mine!

  73. UptownEastside Avatar

    AA: Hah, my plane is bigger than yours!!!

    JetBlue: Hah, sucks for you that it’s “only” your plane that is bigger….

  74. Jack Avatar

    If this thing wets on me I’ll kill it!!

  75. annelle Avatar

    Well, good buddy! Looks like mine IS bigger than yours! (but don’t worry, maybe yours will get bigger too… someday.)

  76. EE Avatar

    Wow, yours is so much smaller than mine!

  77. J. Tague Avatar
    J. Tague

    Oh great, thanks! This plane will fit perfectly up Glenn Tilton’s ass.

  78. wbs Avatar

    “Yes we made the seats somewhat smaller, but so far the passengers don’t seem to mind!”

  79. Axxel Knutson Avatar

    -Hey man, that’s a cool lookin’ plane ya got there dude. Hey, yah…it is a cool lookin’ plane ain’t it? But you know, your plane looks cool too, you know? Yah. Whatever. Yah. Take care. Yah. you take care. Yeah? Well have a nice day. Yah, well you too, dude. Yah. Whatever.

  80. Thomas V. Bona Avatar
    Thomas V. Bona

    “Don’t let Congress see that that we flew here on our personal jets or this deal will never go through!”

  81. Thomas V. Bona Avatar
    Thomas V. Bona

    “OK here’s what Delta and US Airways did wrong – they didn’t bribe the FAA with free toys!”

  82. Thomas V. Bona Avatar
    Thomas V. Bona

    “Hey Arpey, let’s try to win that Cranky Concierge contest so we avoid bad weather and don’t get stranded on the tarmac next trip!”

  83. wblewett Avatar
    wblewett

    American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey evaluates how far he can fly an A320 up Barger’s behind and pitch a tent with an AA automated check-in machine.

  84. TS Avatar
    TS

    Arpey: I wonder how the bare metal looks under this white paint.

  85. Mark Brown Avatar

    “Oh yeah? I bet my engine can eat your fuselage!”

  86. Penn Avatar

    My mom said said I shouldn’t snort that model airplane glue when I was a kid. Look at me now. Weeeeeeeeh!

  87. Ben Shapiro Avatar

    Dave: “Hey, stop looking at my plane like that, she already has a boyfriend!”
    Gerard: “You’re a pretty plane, aren’t you…. he he he.”

  88. Gina Avatar

    Mr. Arpey to Mr. Barger: “You call this an airplane??”

    Mr. Barger to Mr. Arpey: “Thanks to you, now mine’s bigger than yours!”

    Mr. Aprey to Mr. Barger: “And what exactly do you do with this little thing?”

    Mr. Arpey to Mr. Barger: “Looks like this plane could use a little Viagra!”

  89. f9ohio Avatar
    f9ohio

    Missing a few pieces of fuselage here Barger, no worries I’ll have my people give boeing a call next week

  90. Thomas V. Bona Avatar
    Thomas V. Bona

    “Arpey, we’ve done it! We’ve broken the record for most penis jokes inspired by a photo!”

    1. David SFeastbay Avatar

      Thomas V. Bona
      good one, and those got tired about 95 comments ago…….lol

  91. jonathan reed Avatar
    jonathan reed

    The guy in the middle just said, “If you want to keep your jobs pretend you are happy with your bonuses.”

  92. Richard Avatar

    Arpey: That’s funny. What the hell is it?

  93. Elizabeth (LizzyDragon84) Avatar

    Arpey: “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little plane too!”

  94. John B. Avatar

    I wonder how many “your plane is bigger than my plane” jokes are going to come out of this picture?

  95. Joe O'Brien Avatar

    “I’m actually laughing at your horrible livery”

  96. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Barger: For God’s sake don’t point that at your face….it might take off!

  97. Lisa Avatar

    Thank God for private jets so we don’t actually have to fly on these things!

  98. Lisa Avatar

    Can you believe that people actually pay to fly on these?

  99. Lisa Avatar

    Wait til we tell them it’s an April Fools joke!

  100. Lisa Avatar

    Ka-Ching! Ka-Ching! Ka-Ching!

  101. Lisa Avatar

    I’m taking this baby home to the wife….is it battery operated or 110?

  102. u600213 Avatar

    May your next plane be a masculine plane

  103. Talleman Avatar
    Talleman

    Size REALLY does matter and mines bigger than your!

  104. Gary E Avatar

    You want me to put this where?

  105. Shindig Avatar

    Listen. I’m tellin’ ya. That Flyagra will work like it done did fer’ me if you just swallow that little bitty airplane capsule disguised as an Airbus model. Trust me.

  106. JF Avatar
    JF

    I hope that mine will be as “big” as yours one day!

  107. JM Avatar

    Arpey: “Dave, I can only imagine how many phallus jokes will be made on crankyflier.com about this silly photo op…”

  108. Jim Avatar

    Ah, Dave, so cute, and I mean that in the nicest way!

  109. martin law Avatar

    caption should read “strange bedfellows?”

  110. The Global Traveller Avatar

    “My plane’s bigger than yours.”

    “Damn, you’re right.”

  111. Ace Avatar

    Where do the batteries go?!?!

  112. Robin Johnson Avatar

    Gerard Arpey: Dave, someday, when JetBlue becomes a real airline, you’ll have a … plane as big is mine.

    David Barger: Gerard, someday when American gets a real CEO, you’ll have a balance sheet as good as mine.

  113. Bruce Avatar

    “Mine is Bigger than Yours”

  114. Keith Avatar

    Arbus..? Airboos..? Airboss..? What is this thing called again? Arbiss..?

  115. George Avatar

    AA and Jetblue execs recreate their famous 2007 near-miss which reduced Mayor Bloomberg’s height by another 10%.

  116. George Avatar

    “See? If you stick your finger just under the fuselage, that’s the G-spot. My wife showed me.”

  117. George Avatar

    Hey, the guy in the pink tie – he likes your fuselage!

  118. George Avatar

    “Like I told you, Captain Sully strokes his at least twice before every flight.”

  119. Sirkka Avatar

    Gerard Arpey: -I ordered a spaceshuttle and got a midget…

  120. sam carl Avatar

    “Just don’t tell our wives we fondled a couple of models on this trip”

  121. Mike Bing Avatar
    Mike Bing

    “Into the mouth of the whale”

  122. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    He doesn’t even know what hit him. He is about to get eaten alive.

  123. pat Avatar

    I think we fit together real fine

  124. Hermann Avatar
    Hermann

    Dave: So this is where my passengers will be subjected to your service?

    Gerard: Yes, and in my hands I hold the key to happy passengers and quiet pilot unions MUAHAHAHA!

  125. f9ohio Avatar
    f9ohio

    Oh Lord, I would chrome the hell out of this is someone gave me the chance!

  126. f9ohio Avatar
    f9ohio

    Oh come on Gerard, It’s still bigger than your eagle planes give it a break now

  127. f9ohio Avatar

    Can’t get any more patiotic than this than this eh Barger. We should get our own holiday

  128. Stephen Dutton Avatar

    So even you are now having to go to downsize the fleet from the 777 to this!

  129. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Just need to send this to the paint shop and throw a red and blue stripe down the middle and call it Eagle.

  130. frank Avatar

    aprey says, “Can I take a ride on your Disco (B6) stick?”

  131. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    “Ok, on the count of 3 we’ll throw them and see if we can pop those balloons behind us!”

  132. f9ohio Avatar
    f9ohio

    I know I know, he does look like Drew Carey back there, that’s the only reason I invited him!

  133. Matt Avatar

    Always make sure it has a clear view of the sky so you get those 36 channels of DirecTV.

  134. Hernandes Avatar

    JetBlue CEO: Arpey, how many of these you’re able to buy using your employee’s money from AA Reestructure Agreement last 2003?

    American CEO: I don’t really know… I gues the equivalent of your entire fleet of THESE little things…

  135. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    “Well, I don’t know why I came here tonight . . . clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.”

  136. J Westcott Avatar

    Keep shaking…those cranky fliers are a ***** to get off the planes!

  137. CF Avatar

    Thanks to everyone for entering. The winner has been chosen. And you can see it here:
    http://crankyflier.com/2010/04/06/and-the-winner-is-3/

  138. Ana Avatar

    Arpey: Hee hee JetBlue will be mine… first step to world domination .. next break the Unions
    Dave: I think my balls are turning blue

  139. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Of course we’re saving on fuel by miniaturizing and going green but what about the passengers and crew?

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