Airlines which wish to scrap commissions paid to travel agents faced significant obstalces namely:

1. A boycott by its travel agents and related associations to stop selling air tickets that pay no commissions and
2. Severe government pressures

On the other hand, airlines reasons for stopping commissions are:

1. The airline believe "fee-for-service" model is more appropriate especially in the service industry
2. Benefit the customers as pricing will be more transparent & they know what they are buying & thus greater control
3. Customers these day have more choices such as booking their tickets online and call centers but yet travel agents can provide a valuable service by providing a comprehensive service package
4. Commissions are not fair to the customer because it pays the same to the travel agent to provide no service and the travel agent that provides additional service.
5. Ultimately customers are the one who can decide whether they want additional service or not.
6. Travel agents are encouraged to move towards service fees model.
7. Travel agents who offer greater services have nothing to fear from service fees as they could earn more as customers pay more better services.

The exact parallel can be applied to the financial advisory industry. Financial advisers who can provide a comprehensive service need not fear of losing their business. Many financial advisers think that they can't earn a living if the commissions are removed need to look at themselves whether their current level of service provided deserved the commission or not. Frankly speaking, many essential insurance products are simple products which you don't need be very smart or sophisicated to sell these. Unfortunately you do need to be very knowledgeable and competent to understand the rubbish insurance that clients have bought from other insurance advisers because rubbish insurance tends to earn more commissions than simple ones.

Besides, insurance planning is only one part of the total financial services one can provide. I am sadden to often see namecards of practitioners filled with many alphabets such as ChFC, CLU, CFP, Master in Finance, etc which seems to show that they have equiped themselves with a full suite of services they can provide. But when I talk to them about time value for money, their calculator is a scientific calculator rather than a financial calculator. This is an evidence to show that they have not applied anything they had learn from their professional examinations. It is a no wonder that many financial advisers fear losing their commissions - they don't deserve it!

What can consumer do? Consumer can also vote using their wallet by choosing a service that they really want. Do not rely on the government or anyone else. How society evolves is dependent on what its citizens want it to be, this cannot be outsource to "others" and government.