It is said that in a tough economy customer service improves. It makes sense: When the employment rate heads south, people value their jobs more and do fewer things to jeopardize their employment.

Considering the struggles the U.S. economy is currently experiencing, I decided to pay more attention to whether this theory has legs. And I admit I’ve seen some improvements. Waitstaffs seem a little more attentive to their tables and cab drivers are a bit more cautious on the road. But it was the airline industry that really intrigued me.