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From: Patrick Barron
Sent: Thursday, June 2, 2022 9:50 AMTo: NY Times <letters@nytimes.com>Subject: Stewardesses in the age of airline regulation
Dear Sirs:
I read with interest your two book reviews about the airlines and their relationship with stewardesses: Fly Girl and The Great Stewardess Rebellion. One was a memoir and the other a history of labor relations between stewardesses and the airlines. Both were very interesting reviews. However, one should take into account the bigger picture. President Carter deregulated the airlines in October 1978. This changed everything. Like all price regulated industries, airline ticket prices before 1978 were strictly regulated; therefore, the airlines tried to compete with unregulated amenities, such as gourmet dinners and pretty stewardesses, both of which appealed to their primarily businessmen clientele. Price deregulation removed this incentive. Today's clientele seems to be primarily families. Planes are packed. One is lucky to get a cup of coffee and a small packet of pretzels from very hardworking and always pleasant stewards and stewardesses. The democratization of airline travel has removed the necessity of competing on frills of all kinds, not just the physical attractiveness of stewardesses.
Patrick Barron
20 McMullan Farm Lane
West Chester, PA 19382
610-793-3605
