Kathy:

Having re-read that part of my initial post, I concede that it may have come over as somewhat offensive - that is one of the dangers of text only - and I don't use emoticons because I feel that they usually detract from the content of the message.

Anyway, if you are truly offended, I offer an apology, but I do not apologize for the sentiment of the post, and I stand by my assertion that society is far to 'compensation' oriented.

There is no 'subtext' to either of my posts, what you see is what you get. Nowhere in either post have I suggested that one should not complain if service is not up to par.

What I do suggest, however, is that constructive criticism and a quiet complaint rather than a rant, usually go a lot further toward fixing a problem than does a demand or expectation of compensation.

The US is a particularly litigious society, and the results of that are very destructive. My point is that compensation seldom solves problems, merely masks them, and temporarily mollifies the aggrieved.

By the way, I do not believe that airlines 'schedule' more flights than can be accomodated by ATC or their own staff. I do believe, however, that the smaller airlines, and the regionals of the major airlines, do 'consolidate' when loadings are light and they have another departure in an hour or so.

One final point, Aircrew are human, they sometimes get sick, aircraft are mechanical, they sometimes break. I would rather be delayed on the ground waiting for a replacement crew, than have a pilot that has any doubt about his/her health take the flight for the sake of expediency(incidentally the pilot has no choice but to ground him/her-self according to the FAR's). I would also rather have the machine fixed than risk a mechanical in the air. My 'compensation' for those delays is 'peace of mind'.

Hope that clears up my position, once again it was not my intention to flame you, you have my apology for any offence you may have taken.