No Smoking

On every flight I take I am reminded during the safety announcement that passengers may not smoke during the flight that smoking on board is an offence under international civil aviation law.

I am told that smoking in the lavatories is specifically forbidden and that each toilet compartment is fitted with a smoke detector which if you fiddle with it causes you to break even more civil aviation laws.

So why is it that an airline still finds it necessary to fit signage on the inside of the lavatory door warning passengers that they risk fines of £2500 if they get caught smoking of tampering with the detection devices?

But what I really do not understand is why on the aircraft I am describing an Airbus A321 which is less than seven years old this sign is placed immediately above the ashtray that has so thoughtfully behind the door by the aircraft builder.

And NO I was not flying with Ryan Air!

Public Transport Etiquette

When I was a lad, I was taught that if I had a seat on a bus, tram or train, it was good manners to give it up if a lady or an elderly person were to board and not be able to sit down.

I was taught that pregnant ladies fell into the same category and should be shown the same high accord

It was, I was taught, just good manners to do so.

When I moaned, I got a clip around the ear and was told I would be very grateful when my time came.  Then, old and decrypted I would be very grateful that my fellow travellers had the same high standards as I was brought up with.

Well let me tell you, that time has come, and now I find, if I am lucky enough to get a seat, I get deathly stares from mothers whose five year old Johnny has to stand as the bus sways around a corner and heaven help me if I get on a crowed train and seven year old Matilda is ensconced on a pew.

I have as much chance of her offering her seat to the kindly old gentleman as getting a free trip from Richard Branson on his Intergalactic Space Shuttle