Agree with your take on what we would have done over here. This story gives you the warm-n-fuzzies, doesn't it?
Well, it makes me more likely to consider the stoatmobile as opposed to commercial airlines for domestic travel and perhaps a stylish freighter or cruise ship for international destinations :-)
Here we have an industry that is failing to do the job that I demand from it, and so I will consider taking my travel business elsewhere.