[wmat]

If this is the case, then the "basics of economics" sucks. If Virgin really cares about customer service as much as Branson's letter purports, then they should have no problem paying people who do their jobs at a level far above industry standard appropriately.

Maybe I'm being naive but I'd much rather pay a flight attendant who constantly goes beyond the call of duty and does his/her job at an extremely high standard, say $50K rather than paying someone else 30K, just because they're willing to do the job for less money.

You get what you pay for, right.

And I'd happily pay a premium to an airline with this philosophy.

[ohyes]

Aside from that, arguing that he is ignoring the basics of economics also sucks.... 'the basics of economics' are not an end in and of themselves.

(However something like the 'greater good' or 'the right thing to do', which is what the op seems to be arguing, actually can be construed as a reason).