Quote:
Originally Posted by Silent Bob
I also accept the fact that air travel will never be the same. I speak out for the airlines because someone has to. Flying isn't all that bad, and those that complain are those who are new to the experience.
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This is the very essence of the problem: people who accept and defend the indefensible business practices of the U.S. airline industry as an "acceptable" status quo for the travelling American public.
The fundamental problem is that we badly need a common-sense, comprehensive airline passenger bill of rights that would create de facto re-regulation of the industry. I'm not talking about price controls that would prove prohibitive for most people -- but rules that would cost all the airlines proportionately the same uniform compliance costs and raise fares accordingly to a level that would eliminate the "lowest common denominator" passengers described in Silent Bob's post.
Yes, some of the complaints on this board are unreasonable. Yes, some of the OPs are neurotic and/or flying novices. This does not excuse the outrages that Americans are forced to routinely endure in a free-for-all airline industry unregulated beyond FAA rules. We are entitled to basic fairness and consumer protection, and we should demand it from our legislators in Washington.