The failure of airlines to successfully market themselves is IMO why you see them resorting to cramming planes to the gills with seats. The airlines as a whole have not come up with a way to differentiate themselves to the average leisure/twice-a-year traveler, it's just "who can get me there cheapest" for most of these people, comfort and amenities be damned. An educated consumer really would be a smart airlines best consumer. I doubt that the CO or any airline wants to PACK people into a plane, it's bad for everybody, but if customers are unable to distinguish a comfortable coach class experince from a miserable one prior to booking what choice do they have?