I'm overwhelmed at how our airlines are bending over backwards to destroy what little pleasure is left in flying ("Flying with family -- but all by yourself," May 22). We're already flying in a big baggage compartment staffed by amateur baggage handlers. We're crammed into sardine-can seats that sometimes include advertising on tray tables. Memories of meals are from a bygone era when flying could actually be fun. Now we've got to pay extra to sit with family or to avoid the dreaded middle seat. I'm convinced the three classes of airline travel are now first class, business and steerage. At least there's some solace in knowing that if something happens to the plane it affects all classes equally, unlike with the steerage passengers on the Titanic.

BILL STEINBICKER, MINNETONKA