I see what Charlie speaks of every day in the casino industry.
Nevada relies on tourism, Las Vegas being the mecca for all things party related. The "issues" with our economy prompted drastic measures by corporate executives. You can't make money if no one walks in the joint.
To quote Charlie, "Like many of the engineering students, we've also begun to attract people with the same fatal flaws into the managerial field. Only, they focus exclusively on one thing: the bottom line and how to wring every last penny out of every operation, reality and necessity be hanged."
No one, and I mean no one, working in a casino has the authority to grant a "comp" any more. No decisions are allowed "on the fly" by experienced Floor Supervisors. Upper management will terminate any Floor who takes the initiative and rectifies any but the most mundane issue at the table.
I truly wonder why anyone would ever consider a career in the gaming industry anymore.
Don't let me get started on my office either.
G