The lass to whom I chatted on my latest intercontinental flight really was rather a delight: 30-something, strawberry-blonde hair, the clearest blue eyes, softly- and well-spoken. We fell into easy conversation after I’d moved seats to take possession of the unoccupied row of seats opposite hers. It was the random passing natter of itinerant travellers who will never see one another again, but for whom a friendly discussion en route can change a journey from wearily boring to actually-not-unpleasant.
Kink wasn’t on the agenda, of course. But you know how my mind works…
Post-breakfast (please BA – your ‘Spanish’ omelette was an insult to an entire nation), she reached for her phone and started typing. Now, ‘flight safe mode’ is a wonderful thing – allowing a batch of emails to fire off from one’s mobile immediately on arrival at a destination airport. Yet in this case, I decided, the young lady was actually texting her friends en route – sharing news of her holiday, catching up on their gossip, planning drinks later in the week.
At Heathrow, there’d be a delay after so she handed over her passport at immigration, before a team of uniformed officers swooped. The Telecommunications Aviation World Safety Enforcement squad would handcuff the protesting young woman, and lead her away.
The computer printout would refute her protestations of innocence, showing as it did the list of texts sent and times – all whilst the plane had been in the air.
“Wilfully ignoring safety instructions issued by an airline pilot.” “Endangering the lives of fellow passengers.” “Breaching international telecommunications law.” As they’d explain it, she’d begin to realise the gravity of her behaviour. Yet, as the plane had taken off from a country with somewhat traditional values, she’d be offered a choice: the three months imprisonment that English law would demand, or the twenty strokes of the cane that would apply under the other applicable jurisdiction….
Taking into consideration my recent play-related experience, this is a very difficult choice indeed LOL
Prison vs. caning…I need to think about this really hard LOL
Finally someone explains the point of flight safe mode on mobiles to me! Amazingly useful blog, this, in so many ways ;-). Although, unlike these errant young female travellers, I’ll probably still be too paranoid to use it, and will continue to switch mine off – and then check 6 times that I really *have* done so!
Oh Abel… hehe, I do adore how your mind works…
Are flight safe modes on all mobiles or only on the most expensive ones? Never seen that on mine! Anyway, under what heading?
So a new initiative is born: Abel and Haron (this is definitely up her street too!) launch Geek Writers, to cater for the more technically-challenged members of the spanko community
NB At the end of each post, there will be a test. Anyone failing to attain the pass mark will be dealt with appropriately…
Telecommunications Aviation World Safety Enforcement squad?
I think someone needs a visit from the Society To Regulate Acronym Perversion…
Kami – if you choose caning, then let me know 😉
Martha – I am so not a geek, as you well know. I am minded to deal with the allegation severely 😉
Ordalie – I’m not sure, I’ve only ever found it on one of mine!
Lily – welcome to the blog: glad someone notice the acronym, and love yours in return 😉
LGS – thanks. LOL it scares me sometimes!
Since British Airways (BA) is a ultimately a Spanish company, any omelette they serve is inherently “Spanish”.
[ Both IB and BA are subsidiary operating companies of a parent created when they merged… ]