TSA database on unruly fliers is a good idea

I think it's great that a Transportation Security Administration database is being used to track the boorish behavior of passengers who throw tantrums while going through security ("Pushy fliers may show up on TSA's radar," News, May 25).

My guess is that passengers who behave like this undoubtedly act up onboard the aircraft as well.

Airlines should keep a similar database of in-flight incidents and share this information with each other as well as the TSA and other government agencies.

I don't care how frustrating flying can be. If someone's an adult, he should act like one.

Bradley Jacoby; Canton, Mich.
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Raise airfare prices

For the past decade, airline passengers have consistently demanded unrealistically low fares. In response, airline management has irresponsibly provided those cheap flights. What both parties fail to realize is that fundamental economics dictate that a business must charge customers at least what it costs to deliver the product or risk significant long-term losses ("Airlines add 'peak' fees on most days," News, May 24).

If it costs $100 to deliver a seat on an airplane, then you must charge at least $100, or you will soon be out of business. Airline managers and the public seem to be oblivious to this reality. Instead, there is a constant race to provide the lowest fare to capture or retain market share regardless of how much money is lost. To mitigate losses, managers lay off employees and cut the pay and benefits of those who remain. Now we are seeing charges for bags, blankets and idiotic surcharges for flying on "peak" travel days. These Band-aids only put off the inevitable trip to bankruptcy court.

We must all realize that flying 150 people across the country in an airplane incurs significant costs that must be paid. Airlines can either raise prices to cover those costs or allow the government to step in and re-regulate some sense into this broken system. I vote for the former.

Jeff Clauser; Chicago

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