The only thing worse than working at a Chik-fil-A would be working at an airport Chik-fil-A. All the best parts, except you can't park within a mile, you get to go through airport security every day, and all customers are pissed off! Seriously, I'm in airports a lot, and I marvel that they can fill any of the jobs. Of course during a labor shortage they're going to feel it pretty bad. What other possible outcome could there be?
I don't think there's anywhere in our normal lives where class is as evident as airports. If you fly regularly you spend much of your time in first class. You are addressed by your name, given free drinks, and generally sitting next to venture capitalists, corporate executives and entrepreneurs. You opt into the airline club where you are again addressed by your name, given free drinks and spend your time eating free bagels and shrimp cocktail. You learn the names of the bartenders, you have bathrooms with marble counters and verbena-scented soap and the wifi is fast. If you fly occasionally you are cattle, fighting for charging ports, sitting on the floor and paying $9 for tacos. Back when I dealt with such things, talkin' 2006, every airport restaurant, food kiosk and convenience store out there was managed by HMS Host.. So it's not just that you're working for a shitty corporation - you're working for a shitty corporation that works for shitty corporations. Their turnover is terrible by design. Seniority and experience are a drag on their business model. The interesting thing about this moment in time is it's Econ 101: the businesses are price-inelastic because they've cut labor to the bone on the assumption that someone would always take the job. COVID re-anchored everyone's life experience, though, so the entire country is re-evaluating their quality of life. Businesses are being forced to respond. B I T F D