I will always remeber flying from JFK to Cancun many years ago, on an old 737, and rattling down the runway, just as we started to take off, I think it was the pilot, came across the PA, and shouted, 'here we go!'. Wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but we got there in one piece.
On the return flight, I remeber watching the captain paying for the fuel in cash before we departed.....forgotten the airline though.