Cashless policies to prevent theft

In Monday’s edition, The Herald printed a letter from a gentleman in Sultan who was upset that he couldn’t use “cash money” to rent a video player during a flight to Florida. His concern was that we are becoming a cashless society and he took offense at the notion that the airline wouldn’t honor his U.S. currency.

The issue, though, isn’t one of globalization, credit card debt versus cash-and-carry, or any other anti-constitution conspiracy. The issue is simply two words: employee theft. There are likely additional and supporting factors which make a “cashless cabin” compelling for the airline, but removing cash handling from the duties of a flight attendant (or anyone, for that matter) reduces the unfortunate specter of pilferage, an ever-present reality in any employment setting.

Mark L. Norton

Stanwood