Meet Steve, a Virgin America employee who has been writing funny phrases on boarding gate screens at San Fransisco Airport for six years, injecting a little fun into the travelling experience.
For Steve Freitag, 55, having fun and earning money are not mutually exclusive.
For years, this man has been entertaining passengers at the boarding gate with witty and sometimes hilarious signs, written on the same screen that’s used to display flight information, all with the intention of giving passengers a little giggle before boarding their flights.
“I’ve always loved puns and what they call “dad jokes”. I thought this would be a good time to entertain people.”
Who said airports have to be boring?
He even dresses up on special occasions, wearing a Hipster Santa outfit on Halloween and a full set of pajamas on April Fool’s Day.
But now it’s not just passengers at the gate that are able to enjoy his comedic sensibilities.
After posting his at-work antics online at imgur, Steve has become something of an Internet sensation.
People all over the world are digging his signs, with one imgur commenter, INDIG0M0NKEY, urging Steve to “please do this forever. One day I may fly with them and hope to see someone as great as you.”
Another commenter, BishopSmurf, wrote “The hero we need.”
According to Steve, Virgin America encourages its staff to make air travel fun and has no issues with the messages he writes for customers.
And as long as there isn’t some important news to announce on the signs – such as bad weather or flight delays – he pretty much has free reign to write whatever he wants, including movie quotes, a tribute to David Bowie, and more.
Basically anything, as long as it isn’t insulting or offensive – to both humans, and Emotional Support Turkeys (yep, a real thing).
However, according to Steve, when the Alaska Air Group (who own Alaska Airlines) takes over the Virgin helm the funny business may have to stop.
“New owner Alaska Airlines isn’t really known for a cheeky corporate culture, so signs like these are most likely going away.”
Steve Freitag, posted on his imgur page.
But there may still be hope.
According to Steve, the Alaska Airlines employees he’s met so far have been “awesome and welcoming.”
We’re crossing our fingers for you Steve!
Here’s to many more funny signs on the job!
*Check out 13 of the funniest airport codes in the “BIZ” for more airport humour.