Flying used to be a treat, now it is punishment. The airlines have paid the politicians to allow too much consolidation. There are so few major airlines in America that there is no true competition anymore.
Remember when fuel prices were high and the airlines began charging us for checked baggage? Well fuel prices have been low for a long while now and we are still paying for checked bags. How can this be?
This has resulted in more people using carry-on baggage which has led people to try and cram 30 pounds of stuff in a 20 pound bag. Boarding the aircraft takes longer due to people cramming and fighting to get their baggage in the overhead compartment. I’ve seen people do crazy things to get their bags in there.
Then we have the service, or lack thereof. Certainly no more warm food for economy or steerage, in fact you are lucky to get pretzels or some form of cookie. Very few of the flight attendants are smiling and even fewer are pleasant. They are just trying to get to their next layover. Here is a personal story for you. My wife and I recently had a rather long flight and during the flight my wife was cold. I ask the flight attendant for a blanket and he rudely said “Economy passengers do not get blankets”. Really? Needless to say, I will avoid that airline if at all possible. Who was it? United
I hope Congressman, Senators, and the FAA have lined their pockets with airline money because they have sure ruined the flying experience for us common people.
It’s a shame how far down the service has fallen yet we are still paying the same prices we paid when oil was 80 to 100 dollars a barrel. There is simply not enough competition and the industry simply has a take it or leave it attitude.
Trust me; I leave it as much as I can.