Madam, - I support the comments by Michael O'Carroll (August 25th) about the current direction of Aer Lingus. The airline is not only sacrificing staff on the altar of privatisation, it is letting its loyal and regular customer base go as well.
Most people would agree that Willie Walsh's management helped to save Aer Lingus from collapse in the disastrous post-9/11 period. However, I think I speak for many Aer Lingus customers in saying that the airline has now gone too far down the road of imitating Ryanair. Aer Lingus is well able to provide a full service at an acceptable price, but seems bent on dragging standards down to the level of its cheap 'n' nasty competitor.
Why can't Aer Lingus make more imaginative use of Tab frequent flyer points instead of phasing them out? Is a complimentary drink, still hugely appreciated by travellers, really going to bankrupt the company? Has it really been necessary to get rid of socially valuable services such as accommodating unaccompanied minors? - Yours, etc.,
RICHARD BARRETT, Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.