Need to know

Maria Dweggah, WHO

Airport/travel stories

I am sure you have your own travel tales to tell. And please send them in if you have.

Do I really need to know that boarding has been delayed because the flight attendant didn’t show up for work and that we are waiting for a replacement;

Do I really need to know that take off is delayed due to a few technical glitches which had to be fixed and “as soon as they are folks, we can board”

Does the pilot really need to welcome us on board with “well folks I apologize for the delay but I noticed the landing wheel was a bit bald and I asked for it to be replaced.”

Ain’t nothing like the real thing The tribulations of economy class travel

How do you distinguish business class from economy class travel in Europe. It’s in the lemon. On a recent flight to Rome, my travel companion asked for a gin and tonic. The attendant set down the glass filled with tonic and the cute little itsy bitsy bottle of gin for which he paid the requested amount. He then asked for lemon. She handed him a little plastic container. It took us a few seconds to realize that the shape was in the form of a lemon and that in all probability it contained lemon juice. “It possible to have a slice of lemon?” He asked. She excused herself, went up to the business class section and came back with one little slice of lemon. She made it very clear, however, that it was an exceptional special favour. (I guess they don’t do that for just anybody)

Lemon slices reserved for business class? Not only do we now have to pay for our drinks, food and peanuts, we have to be made to really feel the difference!