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Would the Passenger in 5B Please Stop Playing the Trombone?

Would the Passenger in 5B Please Stop Playing the Trombone?

In one trip to the United Airlines lounge in Denver, I watched a man cutting his toenails sitting amidst others, and heard another using totally profane language  while shouting on his cell phone. Two others, together, tried to sneak into the club by circumventing the people at the desk. (I turned these two in, I’ve had it with cheats.)

On the planes I’ve seen people with bare feet, shoes off. I’ve seen lavs left in sad condition. I’ve experienced people using mobile devices with the speakers turned on so we could all hear. I’ve seen a woman change a diaper on a seat. And I remind you, I’m traveling first class.

This is what happens when you lower barriers to entry. The airlines must offer access to their lounges to anyone who can pay. It’s cheaper than ever to fly and there are trillions of dollars in “free points and miles” out there waiting to be redeemed. When anyone can participate in an experience, standards are lowered, not raised. Civility suffers, it doesn’t improve.

Welcome to democracy. And don’t get me started on “service animals.”

Written by

Alan Weiss is a consultant, speaker, and author of over 60 books. His consulting firm, Summit Consulting Group, Inc., has attracted clients from over 500 leading organizations around the world.

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