No longer free

GUEST OPINION

COLUMN

Have you every stopped to consider all those things that are no longer free? Grocery stores had friendly check-out clerks. My first job off the farm was as a bag boy who sacked groceries and carried them to your car. Gas station attendants would greet you as you pulled in, wash your window and check your oil.

When I was a kid, we used to stop and watch baseball games in the city park. Then some enterprising entrepreneur built a wood fence around the park and charged admission. Modern fences are electronic and can be both complicated and expensive.

In the early days of TV, we had three channels funded by advertisements. One of those networks carried the local ball games. My wife became an avid Mariners fan and watched every game. When we were more physically able, we would travel to Seattle at least twice a year go to the ballpark. Then someone discovered how to control access to the broadcasts and offered to allow us to continue watching Mariners’ games for $68 a month. The game didn’t change, but the control of our television did. I don’t see how that is an improvement over what we had 40 years ago.

I spent a good portion of my life flying airplanes, first in the Air Force then small planes in Alaska. Flying as a passenger on big commercial planes was a treat. The Airlines took care of our luggage and even carried my fishing poles to Europe for no extra charge. If we were airborne over lunchtime, we were served a nice meal. Various airlines would brag about their meals and customer service. No more. Some economist in corporate headquarters discovered that customer service had little effect on the demand for seats. People need to fly regardless of how they are treated. So, the airlines began charging for luggage, discontinued meals, and reduced the distance between rows of seats.

Modern passengers are grumpy and herded through airports like cattle. The friendly skies no longer exist.

Today’s gas stations are all self-service. If you want your window cleaned, do it yourself. Most stations have a brush and water container, but it is usually empty. (There is no attendant to fill it.) My son visited us from Seattle last week and noticed a low tire pressure warning light, so he pulled into our local Safeway to check his tires.

He found the air station but hesitated when the electronic air dispenser demanded $2.50. He had no choice but to pay. If the trend continues, someone will figure out how to charge us for access to sunlight.

FRANK WATSON IS A RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL AND LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF EASTERN WASHINGTON. HE HAS BEEN A FREE-LANCE COLUMNIST FOR OVER 20 YEARS.