The Price of Flying

Regarding Patrick Smith's June 14 op-ed, "Don't Hate the Airlines":

How dumb can the airlines be? We know they need to defray fuel costs, so why don't they just raise fares instead of charging annoying fees for services? The net result of charging itemized fees will be longer delays at ticket counters and more unhappy passengers.

JOHN P. DONNELLY

Reston

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Patrick Smith's op-ed touched on a crucial point regarding air travel. When you compare modes of transportation, airplanes would appear to be potentially the most hazardous way to go: Weather is a crucial factor, machines are complex, and pulling over is impossible. In spite of this, flying is by far the safest mode of transportation, and, as a bonus, you get to your destination in a very short time. It takes people to make this happen, and many of these people are paid very little. Complaining passengers have lost sight of what a great deal they have, preferring to stamp their feet like petulant children and insist on the Wal-Martizing of commercial aviation at a time when fuel costs are higher than ever. They should be happy for what they have and be grown-ups about paying for it.

DAVID ABRAHAMSON

Reston