[jimworcs]

Jetsetter:
The issue of choice is often thrown up by people as a response to the level of poor service. In fact, there is often very little choice available to the consumer. There is a fig leaf of competition, but in reality the airlines have created "fortress hubs" which are effectively local monopolies. The slots at major hubs are controlled by huge airlines. This means that passengers who need to make connections, or early morning flights etc have no choice whatsoever about which airline they fly. The reason the airlines defend this hub system so vigorously in Congress is they understand that monopolies are power and they use this power to control the market.

The second suggestion that the airline has not "sold" your seat is also false. The airline has sold the seat. Often the reason there are so many standby passengers waiting to see if any seats will be released is because the airline deliberately over-sold earlier flights, or this actual flight. They sold more seats than they had available for no reason other than profit. In any other industry, a company which did this is subject to investigation for fraud. If I set up an internet company selling widgets, and I take the money for a million widgets, but only have stock of 500,000 widgets, I have committed an offense. The airlines have somehow convinced legislators and passengers that there is a legitimate reason for "overselling" on the basis that there will be "no shows". There is no legitimate reason for this.

So, welcome to the forum.. we havn't crossed swords before, but I have to respectfully disagree with both of your arguments. The reality is the airlines are effectively monopolies and there is no effective competition, and they most certainly do "sell" the seat when they put standby passengers in it.