What is the big deal about getting a drink before takeoff?? Yeah, it is a nice courtesy. But it is just that, a courtesy. I also agree that it would be nice if they could hold off boarding the entire aircraft at once. Getting out in that aisle during boarding is a pain in the *ss.

As far as FA's being 'more' courteous 20 years ago, the passengers were probably more courteous than they are today as well. Nowadays everyone is just ME, ME, ME!! And I don't think that there are any worries about CAL going in to Chap 11 anytime soon. Sorry!