Q: In my working days, this ex-business guy always wore a suit and tie when flying for business and vacation. Now a senior, I travel only for pleasure, and so go very casual, with old jacket, t-shirt, baggy pants and sneakers.

Is it my imagination, but it seems I’m now too often herded along in airports and aboard flights like a prisoner? It makes me mad as hell! As in my working days, would airline people treat me with more respect if I dressed up again? JJMcK, Boston MA

A: Officially, airline employees are supposed to serve all passengers with equal courtesy. It’s tough, because all aspects of air travel these days are much more difficult than they were back in your days of less stressful flying. However, dressing up and treating airline personnel with respect is worth the effort, and more likely to get the same in response.