Couldn't think how to write the headline better. Guess I won't be a journalist.

What I mean is this: If online booking encourages bargain hunting, then so long as it remains the most popular way to find a good fare, won't airlines continue to scrimp on the things that make it pleasant to fly? Consider this. If flyers weren't so price resistant, could airlines order new planes with fewer seats and staff them with more attendants? Seems to me, logically, that online booking will tend to insure cramped compartments, poor food, discontented employees, etc. So that any traveler that wants to improve his experience will just have to find a higher fare. And the only reliable way to achieve that is to choose a more expensive class. I say that because I don't necessarily buy that paying more money for the same seat class will get your more space or better service. Some carriers might try to sell the same shoddy service at less of a cut rate.

Recently I took advantage of an upgrade sale. They had a couple of empty first class seats and offered them at the boarding gate at a surcharge of $99. Considering the overall cost of my trip, I thought that was a pittance. So I made an impulsive decision to go first class, something I almost never do. It did end up being a more pleasant trip. We got way more service than what I get in coach.

Anyway, since I don't qualify as a "frequent flyer", I thought I'd put my thoughts out there to see what people think who live in the air.