The airlines quit caring about their customers a long time ago. No meals, child sized seating, ugly wait staff, foul air, huge charges for any and every thing . . .
It started with deregulation.
When flying was expensive and protected by the government, they could offer all sorts of perks because you were drastically overpaying for what you were getting.
Now it is a normal competitive business. They care no more or less for their customers than any other business, all things being equal.
The good news is that pretty much everyone can afford to fly now. The bad news is that the experience is more like riding a bus. If you miss the old days, feel free to cough up a lot more Benjamin for first class.
A lot of this discussion, to me, is like a guy buying a Toyota and complaining that it’s not a Bently. If you want a bently, there are dealerships in most major cities.
I think the problem is not what the airline did, but how they did it. It should be BEFORE the plane boards.
It’s all about managing expectations.
There was a problem in one airport where people were complaining that they had to wait WAY too long at baggage claim for their luggage. The final solution that actually WORKED: They rerouted the passengers so it took them longer to get to baggage claim. By the time they got there after their cross country walk, the luggage was either waiting or shortly showed up. The complaints went away. I kid you not.
I’m just waiting for them to inject us with a tranquilizer and stack us like cordwood in the cargo bay for the duration of the flight.
Might actually turn out to be more pleasant for the passenger.