I’m theologian, not an airline executive, but if it were my job to rescue a struggling airline, I think I’d not nickel-and-dime customers, but would try to impress them and earn their loyalty and appreciation. I guess that shows how little I understand about the airline industry.
Later: we’re sitting on the plane at the gate, watching a team of mechanics try to bend a strip of wing metal back into place with their hands. Oops, here’s an older guy using a real tool! And now they’ve all left, abandoning their ladder at the wing.
Later still: this plane deemed “out of spec.” Uncertain what they’ll do with us.
End of the story: we boarded another plane a half-hour or so later, and made our way to Boston safely and without further mishap. I still feel bad for the bird.