The airlines USED to feed their customers, that had over a 4 hour flight, a MEAL.
The airlines USED to apologize all over themselves if they scratched your luggage, much less lost it for 2 or 3 days.
The airlines used to VALUE their customers hoping that the customer would fly on their airline again.
The airlines USED to have fares regulated by the federal government (the Civil Aviation Board), insuring that all airline operators made a profit even on half-empty flights. Consequently, prior to deregulation airline seats were wider and pitched farther apart, increasing customer comfort; ticket prices were higher, weeding out the riff-raff, who traveled by bus; stewardesses could be hired or fired based upon looks, size, competence and personality, and were consequently better at providing personal service; and passengers were treated like valued guests instead of cattle — no airport security, no X-rays, no stale pretzels, and few delays. Regulated airline fares also kept more airlines in business, forcing carriers to compete on the bases of service and comfort instead of price.
Man, I miss those days.
You do have a very good memory, and for better or worse, it is accurate.