It goes both ways...
The way some airlines treat the passengers who keep them in business, their luggage, or simply their schedules, why would anyone think this is an unusual occurrence? I spend more time in the air as SLF than I do commuting to the airport or to work when at work - so yes, a lot of people now do consider airlines as just another form of public transport. Though you'd find the type of bloke in the article would be the kind of muppet who would take a dump in ol' mates $100K BMW if he was late, or dropped him off on the wrong side of the road.
The concerning bit is how he managed to just barge through the gate and make it to the aircraft in the first instance. So much for 'security' - but don't worry, a few hundred million spent on domestic body-scanners will fix that!