[StolarStorm]

What should really bug you about this, is that the standby passenger was likely an employee. The gate agents will routinely violate policies to get a buddy on a packed flight.

Yes, the airlines suck. But they suck because the flying public refuses to pay more for quality. There have been efforts made to have better seats and so forth, and those efforts fail ... as people will still book the cheaper flight ... even if its only a 5 buck difference.

[Chet 99]

I gladly pay the extra fee for United’s Economy Plus class. But your point stands - it got this way largely due to choices made by consumers.

[Hulka]

Quality?

Heck, I’d be happy if the stewardesses lost the scowl and the gate agent stopped the snarky attitude.

[MarkL]

Yes, the airlines suck. But they suck because the flying public refuses to pay more for quality. There have been efforts made to have better seats and so forth, and those efforts fail ... as people will still book the cheaper flight ... even if its only a 5 buck difference.

It's funny that you mention this... My favorite airline was "Midwest Express" (now Midwest Airlines), and I loved the fact that they always had "2 across seating," and they were these wonderful, comfortable Recaro seats. Their fares were a bit higher, but I was more than willing to pay the extra money (about $40 or $50 round trip). But I guess like you say, not everyone else was. With a few exceptions, they've replaced the planes that had 2 across seating with the standard, smaller seats and 3 and 2 seating. And they've cut back on the space front to back between the seats, in order to squeeze in an extra row or two! It's really depressing for me to fly, since I'm 6'4" with a 36" inseam. And yes, I'm fat too. But it's the leg room that really suffers! Even without the person in front of me reclining, my knees are pushed up against the seat in front of me, and by the time I get to where I'm going, both of my legs are asleep!

Mark