Complaints to the DOT regarding air travel doubled from 1998 to 1999. A major factor in this rise was opening of electronic portals, including many run by private companies that pursue pax complaints. Instead of having to write, copy an address, find a stamp, etc, consumers now can easily and quickly send their complaints/grievances by clicking a mouse:
http://www.nytimes.com/library/trave.../pt000312.html