[jimworcs]

The main reason for this is that there is a market failure.. airlines were deregulated, operate mini monopolies and abuse their power. To compound the problem, US airlines have two major protections unavailabe to other airlines

1. The management of an airline is protected from their actions. If they run their business poorly and eventually hit bankruptcy, they are permitted to file Chapter 11, sometimes repeatedly, which is used to run away from their obligations, abrogate employee contracts and responsibilities and rip off customers. They then "emerge" to continue their wholesale rip off of the flying public.

2. They are protected from being taken over by non-US based airlines, or even having to compete with start ups in the US where the majority share holder in foreign. This is despite the fact that US airlines frequently have the right to operate in non-US markets and even cabotage rights. This unwarrented protectionism further protects airline management from the consequences of their actions and inhibits competition.

So, in future you should take the following actions:

1. Resolve not to fly with the airline again and mean it.
2. Write to your congressman evey time you have a bad experience.

Ask him or her to lobby for airlines to be allowed to file Chapter 11 no more than once every 25 years. Otherwise they should be forced to file Chapter 7 and be wound up. This would concentrate the minds of corrupt management who have no concern for their employees and customers.

Also, demand that they be re-regulated. This should include setting minimum standards of service, specific rights and punitive damages and compensation for failure to meet these standards. This should include the allocation of landing and take off slots at peak times to the airlines with the lowest complaints.