Indeed. True, not cynical.
A slight thread creep, but it does involve pax compensation. What are 'the rights'? Pax arrives at checkin in good time. Not all desks are served. Long delay, but still in time. Long delay at security due lack of staff, or technical breakdown of scan equipment. Pax gets to gate too late and misses flight. The root cause of the missed flight is the airport not the airline. What rights does the pax have and who do you claim from?