Lower airfares come with fewer comforts: #tellusatoday

Letters to the editor:

The piece "Are your travel standards too low?" was right on but with one caveat. The writer fails to accept the historic reason for the problem: unrealistically low airfares that do not cover the costs of doing business.

After deregulation in 1978, the cost of an airline ticket decreased dramatically. Additionally, layoffs, bankruptcies and liquidations have plagued the cash-strapped industry. It has only been in the last few years that airlines have finally slowed the tide of losses, and they have done so not just by reducing costly services. They have also implemented capacity restrictions, which has enabled ticket prices to rise.

With that said, the writer is correct that airline service is marginal. But really what would customers expect?

Jeff Clauser; Charlotte

Air travelers apparently expect first-class treatment on coach fares. I have no complaints when I can fly non-stop from Arizona to Montana, over 1,000 miles, for a little more than $100. That is about 10 cents a mile. Not getting more legroom, food or drinks and putting up with crying babies are the least of my problems when flying. The airlines are doing just fine.

John Cadby; Surprise, Ariz.

We asked followers what their recent air travel experiences have been like. Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Air travel is still great, but lack of consistency in Transportation Security Administration procedures is taxing. Consistency would be ideal.

— @JoeCortez

It is so cramped. I can't take it! I started driving everywhere. I can afford airfare but am not up to tight seating.

— @TeresaBlake

Air travel could improve if security felt less invasive and airlines brought back comforts.

— @JenaFox

When airlines charge for checked luggage, everyone carries on items. This slows the process of boarding, and cabin space is always an issue.

— @stybor3

My recent experience is summed up in these words: delays and horrible customer service.

— @KeelaYoung1

The TSA and airlines can help make air travel less taxing. Large airports could learn from small airports.

— @jrsyjmy

Credit card rewards have changed the travel game. Much more is affordable.

— @cdntripseeker

The piece "When gross things happen to good passengers" showed cases in which airlines got away with lack of hygiene on planes, letting fliers sit on seats with vomit or urine. They need to be reported. It is ridiculous because fliers pay enough money for their tickets.

— Peter Clink

If a passenger doesn't tell flight attendants he or his kid peed on the seat, they won't know. Vomit is a different story. Still, the seat cushions are attached by fabric fastener and can be pulled off and changed without a problem.

— Bo Wooden

Have consumers lost all rights? In these situations, the airlines should put the seat out of service until it is cleaned and move the passenger to another seat or another flight.

— Jim Wilson

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.