What does free riding in the back have to do with doing our JOB? Now, I would be far more happy if the different airlines would help get together with the ATC provider and develop some GOOD training for both the pilots and controllers so that each end of the mike had a clue as to what was going on in thier respective environments... Now THAT would help make a difference.
As for free rides, I would rather pay the small fee and and KNOW that I was going somewhere space positive, in other words, buy a ticket....
regards
Scott