George, your reply to Tom implies we fliers are the ones who are in control of prices... (...because we refuse to pay enough for our airfares to allow them to buy new planes);...flight attendant is rude (she's on food stamps, and the airline eliminated her pension plan because we refuse to pay what the flight costs the airline to operate....) What a twisted way of thinking!!! You must be different than me because I don't get to negotiate price!
I don't fly often, and now when contemplating it, it turns my stomach due to how I am treated by some TSA and airline people. I travel only when I have to, and knowing TSA and airline people are regularly getting reamed and are likely grumpy, few things are in my power. One is to find the lowest price offered. Unless by way of Priceline, where I DO have a say on the price I pay, the only thing I can count on is that I will pay what they charge me. I have to watch out for myself, and keep my money in my pocket. As a matter of fact, due to other charges slipped in when family used a credit card for Kiosk checkin, I will now use my AAA identification card instead. We all need to be aware of the slippery stuff!

On the other hand, when I am traveling, my attitude is mine to control. I try to protect it and help others get above the low stuff that happens. I almost always pack extra sandwiches and food to share. I try to be friendly. I try to be understanding for those who are having problems (as opposed to those who are being problems, who I pray for, instead) and try to help if I can.

Now, as far as Airlines go, it is a business, and there are many things involved. There used to be an old school thought that by providing a service well, you can be paid well. So, what is the service we should be able to count on? What do we "value" and are willing to pay for? How about this: 1. Having enough room to be considered human and not cattle. 2. Not being bumped, canceled, or left on a runway for hours. 3. Being treated with respect and not being whipped with "rule"s or "I can't do anything about it". 4. If I have a problem, I would like for someone to help resolve it asap. A human, not a touchtone phone with endless loops and holds and finally leave a message.

There are many of us out here who run a business, and know that if we ran our business like airlines currently do, we would be OUT of business quickly. Maybe the airline businesses that are going broke are going broke because their high paid executives don't know they are REALLY doing?

George, Please don't say that it is my fault that staff are on welfare at an airline... because I don't pay enough. I AM NOT IN CHARGE OF PRICES or employee PAY.

There are airlines that are coming back to be service oriented. I would warn them about charging per piece of toilet paper or anything else equivalent.

Oh... and please don't take away my ability to pack up extra sandwiches for my row mates. This too would really be going backwards.

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