I'm curious to hear your thoughts how airlines have changed over the years.

I took my first flights in 1990 as a young teen. First one was on US Air. It was long ... 5.5 hours from PIT to LAX, but fun. They kept us well watered and well fed. Even got ice cream snacks in Y!

Second flights were on Delta. My wrestling team was invited to a tournament over in Hawaii. So we went from PIT-HNL. Full meals in Y on every flight. Chicken or steak? Even on the 12:30am flight from LAX to ATL had a nice meal. Both airlines charged $1 to watch a movie.

Things started changing in the mid 90's as I got older. Flew DL mostly, but NW and TWA started getting into the mix ... whoever was cheapest for a poor college student. Movie prices went up, as expected, meals were rarer but still available. More often than not, they were replaced by a "snack" but was a still a sandwich. Except for short flights, you at least got something of substance.

Late 90's and 2000 had this scaled back. Still something on flights over 2 hours. CO seemed to have food more than any other airlines.

9/11 hits. Airlines have problems, and in-flight services drop next to nothing. Movies are still there as a cash cow (UA seems to be the only one I've flown that still doesn't charge), but you either get nothing, or food for purchase. CO still has sandwiches on 2+ hour flights. Food only only on transcons. I asked DL in an email right after 9/11 if we'd ever see food again and they said we would, but money was being allocated for security purposes. It never came back.

I'm curious as to what you more seasoned travelers have experienced. I've only flown in F once, and that was luck thanks to NW canning a flight and I got F when UA got me out of there.

What I'd like to know, as back in the day when the airline at least appeared to profitable, why airlines could offer more services and still make money, vs. now they can't?

At least to me, it seems like the "big guys" are trying to be like the LCCs, yet charge more. (I know that's changing as SW can charge more than UA, et all at times). Or at least they used to. I mean, when I've been on an LCC, my expectations have generally been low, but that's because the flights were cheap. So are the regular joes turning to companies like SW and Jet Blue because "if they're not going to get the extra service, why should they pay for it" mentality?

I'm really curious as to your experiences.

Thanks,

Super