Of course, those exact words weren’t spouted at me when I asked the flight attendant to stow my carry-on. But that was the meaning when she curtly told me she wasn’t required to do it. After being wheeled through the airport and assisted in boarding, this slightly feeble 92-year-old kinda expected help.

In olden days, when I was a younger, healthier flier, stewardesses always gladly helped me with overhead stowing and everything else. However, these days, and probably after a union meeting declaring their independence from doing anything physical for passengers, the no-help rule applies.

The situation with the U.S. airline is also disturbing because my recent experiences with many foreign airlines are much different. Their flight attendants happily assist with hoisting carry-ons and politely perform other in-flight duties not practiced here anymore.