I don't know if the airlines realize that nickel and diming people to death is actually going to prohibit many customers, not encourage them to fly. I love all the rationalizations people give for not minding this, but flying didn't used to be this ridiculous and full of catches, and I wonder just how much better it has made things for the airlines. Note that I used to fly all the time but I have completely avoided it since 2006. Why do something when it causes so much anxiety just thinking about how difficult it is? And it's not even fear of flying. There's nothing that a lot of people hate more than "surprise" fees. I don't have time to navigate them and I doubt that even if I did my best to understand them that I would come away without any surprises. I can't afford to have my fare be a question mark until the day I travel.