Letter: Airlines must share blame for 'air rage'
Tuesday, July 6, 1999 | 9:40 a.m.
Having said that, however, airlines are partly to blame. The seating areas in the economy sections are entirely too crowded. An example was given of two passengers exchanging blows because of a reclining seat. I once had a passenger behind me bang on my seat after I reclined. Remove the reclining mechanism.
A flight attendant was quoted as saying, "We had a different type of client 10 or 20 years ago ..." Airlines offered better service and more space 10 or 20 years ago.
I am well aware that some pretty smart people have wrestled with the issues of profitability, affordability, comfort and safety in dealing with the demands of the public and the fiscal survival of airlines. But the result has been reducing passengers to human cargo.
I cannot afford to fly first class, but would happily pay more for a seat that offers more space in economy class.
GEORGE A. PERSONS
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