We should remember that it was liberals, not conservatives who deregulated the airlines. The theory was that deregulation would unleash vigorous competition, better service, more airlines and lower prices. None of that occurred. Instead we now have fewer airlines controlling our airports and skies than we had under regulation. And things are getting worse. At AlteNet Kali Holloway offers 10 ways in which the increasingly monopolized airlines are extorting money from us. As she notes, “The industry figured out that if it only made flying a nightmarish experience for the average traveler – one in which things like food and comfort come a la carte and at additional cost – customers would pay extra for even the most basic services.”
