Economy-class syndrome

National Review, July 18, 2005 by Gary T. Fisher

Mark Steyn has missed the point ("Fly Me a River," June 20). The U.S. airlines do understand customer service, but they also know that people are not willing to pay for it. There has been a "noticeable decline" in cabin service because the flying public wants low ticket prices, not better service. One of the only airlines that is profitable right now is Southwest Airlines, which invented the "grubby bus ride," whereas Pan American, the airline that Leonardo DiCaprio pretended to work for in Catch Me If You Can, is no longer with us. The free market has spoken: Low fares and Southwest Airlines-style non-service are what the public is willing to pay for, so that is what we will have.

Gary T. Fisher

Pinckney, Mich.