Airline Follies

This past week saw a child direct air traffic at Kennedy International Airport. Apparently some adult brought him up to the tower allowing the kid to take over the controlling. He seemingly did a good job, making comments such as “Adios Amigos”, to an Aero Mexico pilot.  Needless to say authorities have suspended a couple of folks pending further investigation.  

Doesn’t this episode restore faith in airline travel!  The kid almost got away with it until an Air Canada pilot got suspicious when little Jimmy told him not to take off yet or he would tell his teacher.  The Aero Mexico plane incidentally jumped the queue getting ahead of other airplanes after the pilot offered the kid a Hershey bar.  The investigation continues.

And speaking of Air Canada, a lawyer has commented about his client getting charged by police after the person complained about the flight being aborted.  Local police he advises note that Air Canada staff have often been calling police for minor incidents under the guise of “flight disruption.”

Discretion being the better part of valour I urge all would be travellers to be very careful and not upset the flight attendants. For example:

1 If they serve you tepid coffee, you say, “Thank you madam.  I’ve been trying to wean myself off coffee and this experience has done the trick;

2 If your seating room is cramped, you comment, “Thank you indeed for the opportunity to allow me to come down with deep vein thrombosis.  Much appreciated.

3 Or if there is no more toilet paper left, say, “I really enjoy the amenities on Air Canada. Can you please get me an extra copy of EnRoute magazine?

After all, you don’t want to spill the pretzels and then land at Pearson Airport only to get tasered by the RCMP.