Before airlines were deregulated in the 70's, the load factor, percent of seats filled, was 52%. Airline fares in general have reflected the increased efficiency inherent in higher load factors and general improvement in aircraft technology, both engine and the plane itself.

For reasons I've never understood, people seem to always "vote" for low fares no matter what. A number of high quality service alternatives have been tried, and all have failed so far.

The airport access by planes is a big deal but progress toward rationalization of flight access has been mostly nonexistent. A policy consistent with airline dereg would be auctioning off landing and takeoff slots would allow our existing facilities to handle more passengers on more big planes, rather than have commuter and corporate planes take up these slots at nominal cost. Unless things have changed recently, the FAA allocates slots to small planes contrary to economic good sense.

These smaller planes, unless willing to compete with these big guys on slots fees, would then be relegated to smaller airports at no great loss to anyone.

Breaker:

The market would dictate that planes fly close to capacity to be profitable above breakeven. Whether small or large, full planes make a better profit and ROI than half empty planes.

Yours is the SUV argument which failed in the automotive world and is failing in the airline industry also.

regarding customers of the flight industry...........

MY LAST FLIGHT.....was from DC area to LAX three years ago.

I unwisely had a window seat.I was not aware of the existing conditions of passengers becoming sardines.I was sandwiched in 3 seats over from the isle by two people who would not consider trading seats with me,as they needed to be there to sleep thru the flight.Evidently they were up most of the night and needed the rest. I ,however went to bed at home and slept. I was trapped.I was taught to be polite and never have answers to these situations.

In front of me where students returning from their DC trip and they also must have not slept on the previous night (perhaps days).The small space in front of me of apx 16 inches became less as they shoved their seat back taking more of my valuable space.I was crammed into a space of about one foot x 24'' ? 25"?,...26"....max? I WAS TYRAPPED FOR HOURS while everyone slept and hemmed me in.I know if I ever am unfortunate enought to have to fly (GOD forbid)...I will not wear pants that I can not even adust out of my posterior because of the lack of space.It will be something w/o a crotch.....would I be considered "crotchety"? YOu betcha. lol

When I finally did get to go to the little room in back that had more space than anywhere on the plane except maybe where the flight attendants were......I considered how long I could stay there.'But , alas....I had consideration for others..it was instilled in me.My time of escape was brief. I saw a guy more misarable than me in the tail section.He looked like he was sprouting gills and fins.He looked like I felt.Poor guy! (And he was not a frequent visiter to the bounty table.)

QUOTE: "The chances of being stuck in a middle seat, sandwiched between frequent visitors to the Golden Corral all-you-can-eat buffet, in a row ..."

I will surely have empathy for you and your problems that relate to you. NOT. There may come your way problems that you can't control or are pecular to you......want sympathy? DINg...........nope...none from me.I have empathy like you do.

Why don't they make some larger accomodating seats? Everyone would want one? Same reason they jam us all in......there isn't any other game in town.

This too shall pass...................but I'll be sporting my own wings by then...by the time people have had enought of it and bulk at it.

If I ever...............have to fly again.....I will certainly try to upgrade or have some idea of what my flight conditons will be.It will be life or death. I still wake up in cold sweats and am glad I have high ceilings.