Horny Story

This just in from the redoubtable Mike Kay – our man in Paris....

When I was working in the West Indies in the 60's for BOAC, I took the companies 'Mini Moke' to a 'mechanic' to get the brakes repaired, when I went back a week later he said 'I could not get the parts, so I have fitted another horn....

Please Sir, They've Stolen our Aircraft!

Aircraft are notoriously difficult to steal; especially airliners. That is unless you invade a country and set about removing them under the guise of 'war-booty'. Which is why the Iraqi government says it will pay $300 million in compensation to Kuwait Airways for claims related to Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of the neighbouring emirate; they apparently stole ten aircraft including two Boeing 767 like the one in the picture. An Iraqi Government spokesman says the Iraqi Cabinet "approved a final and comprehensive settlement" on Sunday. But a spokesman for the Kuwaiti Airways says the payment is by no means a "final" settlement as the airline's total claim is $1.3 billion including interest.

Whadya Think Mr President?

Two recent Presidents have had some interesting things to say about post-Presidential air travel.

The thing I miss about Air Force One is they don't lose my luggage. — President George Bush Sr.

I have to say that flying on Air Force One sort of spoils you for coach on a regular airline. — President Ronald Reagan

What do you think Gerge W. might have to say?

"It's OK, God's going to give me tickets."

Airline Giveaway

The passengers of the US Airways flight that 'landed' on the Hudson River last week are in for a bit of a 'windfall'. They are all being sent $5,000 checks by the airline to "assist you with your immediate needs," which might not include taking another flight for a while. US Airways is also reimbursing passengers for the cost of their tickets.

Too Overdressed to Travel

There was a time, long ago, when male airline staff had to wear a jacket and tie and female employees would be required to dress smartly, when travelling on a non-revenue ticket. However, it seems that the times-are-a-changin’. A US flight attendant is suing JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines, saying a male employee denied her a work-related flight because she wasn't dressed provocatively enough. 37-year-old Karin Keegan of Pittsburgh, works for Delta and her employer has an agreement for JetBlue to ferry its flight attendants to job assignments on a standby basis. Ms. Keegan's lawsuit states that a male JetBlue worker wouldn't let her on a flight in October 2007 because she wasn't dressed provocatively enough, then allowed other flight attendants with less seniority to board the plane.

"Keegan changed into more provocative clothes, but (the employee) told her she was too late to board the plane and should have dressed like that before," said the lawsuit, which was filed in Pittsburgh federal court last week. "He wanted her to change to a lower-cut shirt and tighter pants, and wear more make-up before letting her on the plane," according to Keegan's attorney. Delta and JetBlue officials refused to intercede when she complained, the lawsuit said. Apparently Ms. Keegan is losing income, because she has stopped taking JetBlue flights to job assignments so she can avoid harassment by the male employee.