Bruce Cameron

Editor’s Note: The following column was originally published in 2008.

When it comes to flying, I believe in pampering myself, always picking the best of America’s bankrupt airlines. Recently, I flew across the country and couldn’t decide between first class and business class, since I couldn’t afford either one of them. I wound up sitting in coach, so named because you need someone to shout, “Come on, you can do it!” as you try to wedge yourself into your seat.

Many airlines have started adding surcharges to their ticket prices to help defray the cost of items such as fuel and bad management....