The fugging airline industry is about to charge us to sit next to

[brooklynite]

67. Sorry to interrupt your anger...

...but greed has nothing to do with it; desperation does.

The economics of the airline industry have been lousy for years, and they've found that, unlike other market which support a wide range of product options and varying prices, the airline market (with the exception of the handful of people who can afford First/Business class) is driven by the lowest possible ticket price. Every time an airline has tried to offer a marginally better service option at a marginally higher price, it's failed. With continued downward pressure on airlines to match the lower fares of their competitors, airlines have been forced to cut out all the ancilary expenses: food, pillows, more legroom, unpaid luggage etc. You the customer want to get from "A" to "B" for the absolute lowest price, and that's what they're doing for you...anything beyond that is extra.