In the USA:
-Airlines are well run by smart people who have a passion for it. Generally speaking.
-Airlines are safer than walking 2 blocks in any metro downtown
-Airlines provide reasonable service to a bunch of drunk entitled asses and Karens
-Airlines have invested in tech to make your experience better
-Airline fleets are newer and more advanced than ever before
-TSA stops almost 100% of threats
-TSA processes travelers at a really quick rate.
-TSA is surprisingly friendly despite all the idiots and Karens
-Airports (like AUS) are generally undersized and not able to meet demand, which makes people angry
-ATC successfully directs millions of aircraft movements all day and every day.
-Customs/Border knows the background of most passengers before they ever present to an agent.
-Tech, AI, and systems spending should far outpace human spending in the next 10 years. Which will lead to more “they fired us” articles.
-This trend has been occurring for about 10-12 years, spanning a few presidential administrations and therefore ruining political narratives. It’s just a shared common value that as Americans we will have the best and most professional air travel in the world. And this is what we indeed have. Fly through a storm in Asia and tell me you wouldn’t just be begging for an AA pilot, an American ATC person, and a glass of Kentucky whiskey. I’ve been there.