[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree, but it has gotten worse over the years (see Post No. 73). You used to be able to check a few bags for free, and almost all airlines assigned seats in advance. And, they gave you a halfway decent meal for free. But, I think the biggest change that has affected passenger conduct is the aggressive marketing and pricing schemes designed to fill every seat on every plane. The planes are too crowded. I know they need to make a profit, but, I can remember when most flights had empty seats and you could stretch out and be more comfortable. I would rather pay more for more space. First class is an option, but I think the cost is not in line with the value, and it is really not designed to address the overcrowding problem.

You made some great points, when I do fly I almost always fly Southwest because first Check in bag 50lbs. or less is free, plus you’re allowed to have 1 carry on for free, ALWAYS. Retiredguy, I always like your comments they’re always straight & to the point & you never seem like you never get upset. I try to stay away from political comments, they always seem to get me into trouble, LOL.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

And you get to.be herded around like cattle and who travels with less then 50 lbs my shoes take up that much weight

[Elaine Dickinson]

If you long for the days before airline deregulation just remember that less than 20% of the US population had hopped on an aircraft in 1965. By the turn of the century, half of the nation had booked at least one round-trip a year. Furthermore, there were three times more passengers in 2011 compared with the 1970s. Just how many of you went on an airplane vacation EVERY year. Many of the people who complain about the current state of air travel could not afford to travel prior to deregulation.

In 1974, it was illegal for an airline to charge less than $1,442 in inflation-adjusted dollars for a flight between New York City and Los Angeles. On Kayak, just now, I found one for $278.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Exactly sooooo right