Would you mind awfully !!
Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 11:34 AM
When we can, we use our local small town airport to go abroad. It has been upgrading itself over recent years from little more than a shed to the beginnings of one of the usual glass and chrome clones.
On our last journey from there I was pleased to hear that in some respects it is managing to retain its local quirkiness.
I was letting the early morning departure lounge noise wash over me sat listening to the usual announcements – “this is the last call for Ryanair flight to Reus, would all remaining passengers report immediately to gate 2 - failure to do this will result in your removal from the flight.”
The normal sort of stuff. Then I heard this. Word for word….
“Good morning, the Palmair flight to Tenerife will be boarding shortly. We board by row number and I have written your row number on the top left of your boarding card. Now, would rows 10 to 16 mind awfully coming forward with your passports ready. I would like to welcome you on board and wish you a very happy holiday.”
I was amazed to see the calm and gentle air with which all passengers then boarded when instructed by their allocated row number. No pushing no rushing or shoving. Brilliant!
Such a sharp contrast to the stampeed, which is so often invoked by those airlines that do not allocate seat numbers.