It has come to this: Beginning Sept. 2, United Airlines will no longer hand out complimentary pretzels and cookies to economy class fliers across North America.

Effective, June 1, 2008 staffing on widebody flights will be reduced by one Flight Attendant, following the one crewmember reduction on the 757 effective May 1.

Passengers are more dissatisfied with airlines' customer service than they have been in years at a time when carriers are charging more and more for tickets and services.