Avman, I comprehend what he's saying. Well I think I do!
He is happy to pay double if the carrier just gives him a straight price. That option still exists in much of the market. For instance, BMI and KLM have a deliberately transparent strategy and give you a straight full fare at booking stage, no extras.
As it happens BMI also serve Dublin from certain UK destinations - maybe they were an option for this traveller too?
He feels conned, I put a contrary view.
He equates this approach with an insult to adult intelligence, I disagree.
I know you and he are not alone in feeling like this, and I feel like this a little bit too. If enough people feel like this, the carriers will change policy.