[jimworcs]

This mantra is often repeated by airline employees. In reality, the unfairness and one sidedness of the contracts of carriage are a direct result of the hub monopoly system. The modern airlines are the direct descendants of the "robber barons" who controlled the railroads in the 19th Century.

These massive controlling hubs are effectively local monopolies. If you live in the Greater Atlanta area, you are stuck with Delta, if you live in Charlotte, NC get used to US Airways, if you live in London, learn to love British Airways and if you live in Toronto, embrace Air Canada. The barriers to entry for new entrants, who could compete on service and price are huge. The major carriers work in concert to apply the unfair Terms and Conditions and passengers have no effective choice. This is particularly a problem in the US, as there is virtually no alternative public transportation option. At least in Europe, you could take a train.

The only way to deal with this is regulation.... and hopefully the successor EU Regulation 261 will further attack the abusive practices of the airlines. The airline contracts are unbelievably unfair... it is time for updated international treaties and greater regulation by national bodies.

This is absolutely about markets and their abuse.