This seems clear to me: customers aren't remotely rational, and will generally complain about economically fair systems[1] that they feel are "taking away" thin

This seems clear to me: customers aren't remotely rational, and will generally complain about economically fair systems[1] that they feel are "taking away" things they're entitled to. I can't count how many times I heard people complain about baggage fees when they were introduced, and no one ever had a response to "I never fly with baggage, why should I subsidize your propensity to overpack?". Even people who knew way better and would default to an efficient market assumption in every other possible scenario would assume that it was a naked cash grab, the benefits of which accrued entirely to the airlines. The same is true of complaints about Spirit Airlines: how DARE they give me the voluntary option of a low-priced flight without a bunch of (useless, costly) amenities that I feel entitled to? I can go on and on: credit card fees at liquor stores, etc etc. [1] In particular, rewarding consumers who reduce costs by passing on the cost savings.