Time is like cotton candy. It seems so large and substantial but can disappear in seconds.

It doesn't seem like seventeen years ago in 1991 that America West Airlines of Phoenix declared bankruptcy. Then, in 1993, they came out with their "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" campaign with company employees singing the old Otis Redding-Aretha Franklin song. It was pretty corny but it helped lead the company out of bankruptcy.

In 2005, America West merged with US Airways and more problems ensued to where they are rated as one of the worst airlines for customer service. This morning's Arizona Republic reports more possible mergers of US Airways with United Airlines or American Airlines so we can probably expect more changes.

I am glad I don't have to travel by air anymore. Airline travel has become a nightmare with the security precautions, flights cancelled, and increased ticket prices because of $114 per barrel oil. Although airlines can't do much about the cost of fuel, they do have other problems that they are capable of handling, so, why aren't they doing it?

The rate of airline customer complaints went up 60% in 2007 vs. 2006. The complaints about US Airways were doubled in 2007. It would seem that problems like customer service and baggage handling would be within the company's power to control. 20% of complaints about airlines concern lost baggage and 11% are about poor customer service.

Amidst the turmoil of the airlines stands Southwest Airlines. It may be a good idea for the others to follow Southwest's plan. I hear very few complaints about them and they always seem to be making money. Maybe it is because of two major assets: good baggage handling and good customer service.

The last time I flew was in 1993 and I went to Indianapolis via Southwest. Everything went well, no problems. The year before I flew to Las Vegas via America West. They made us sit on the runway for 1½ hours because of a "defective oil gauge." We have all heard that phony excuse. Amazingly, after 1 1/2 hours, about 20 people boarded the plane from a connecting flight and we were on our way. What a coincidence. Case closed.