But in recent years -- from "rubber rooms" for teachers who can't be fired in New York City to the prison workers unions in California that helped to drive prison spending to nearly the same level as all higher education in the state -- resentments have been stirring against the power and alleged abuses of public sector unions.

CNN: A victory for curbs on public worker unions

Lufthansa opened in 2005 a separate terminal in Frankfurt for first-class ticket holders and very top-tier frequent fliers, offering white-tablecloth dining, baths with rubber duckies, cigar rooms and fancy bars.

WSJ: The Tarmac Express: A Porsche to the Plane