The lazy security excuse
I cannot stand the kneejerk response to any criticism as it is necessary due to "security". In this case, how can it be that the airline can book a passenger for the flight if a new ticket is bought and cancel the other booking and this is safe, but to change the name on the existing booking is unsafe. Where is the logic in this? The net effect is exactly the same.. how is security enhanced by this.
The issue of a policy is entirely different. Many airlines have adopted policies which are totally biased against the passenger, and are frankly often exploitative. This can be addressed by individual customer complaint, but frankly as said earlier, passengers often have little choice over who they fly for particular routes. Instead, this abuse will have to be addressed by regulation, and the only way to do that is through policial pressure. What compounds the problem is that the airlines often hide behind the security issues, which in my mind is a disgraceful exploitation of the horror of 9/11 to extort money from customers. That is just unforgiveable.
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