trains and boats and planes
Aug. 11th, 2006 11:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
erastes(scuse formatting - it's an email post)
I haven't commented on the madness going on over here yet, because
1. I haven't fully assimilated it - living in the far east of the country,
far away from the Big Smoke and International airports. I'm probably just as
remote from it all, as my flist in other countries. I had no intention
really, of getting on a plane after 11th September and I feel less inclined
to do so now.
Not particularly because of the "terrorism threat" but because of the wave
of half-assed, confusing, unorganised bureaucracy that would go with it. If
this happened in somewhere like Denmark or Germany they would have systems
in place in hours. They are probably already written into the airport's
protocol, and the staff would have had training on such issues. The thing
with the English is that we are a nation of firefighters. With every crisis
that happens, floods, fire, bombs, leaves on the line, wrong kind of snow,
we let it happen first and then try and work out a way of dealing with it
afterwards. There just seems to be no planning.
I remember being in America when there was a bomb scare on a bus, many years
ago. It was wonderfully efficient, we were taken off the bus, swiftly and
calmly - the bus driver obviously knew what to do - had had training - we
waited an incredibly short time before another bus arrived to whisk us
away. Over here, I've had the same experience on a train over here, and we
were trapped on the train for an hour, in terror, and then had to wait six
hours for buses to get taken on to the destination.
2. I'm horribly cynical about the whole thing, I'm afraid. I know how
devious governments can be, and at the moment, there is a lot of sympathy
towards the Lebanese. I'm not saying that's what this is about, but I'm not
saying it isn't, either.
Where I have to agree with http://grrm.livejournal.com/5804.html George
Martin is wondering where it will end, and the implications of it all.
(probity probes, anyone?) I have to admit that if I had a Cello or a laptop
I would object very strongly putting it in the hold, especially as there are
no guarantees that i would get compensation if it were damaged. Yes yes,
travel insurance blah blah but insurance companies are already wriggling out
of their responsibilites citing "terrorism" which of course isn't covered.
Perhaps it will bring about the next golden age of sea travel. I'm all for
that!! Steamer chairs, assignations on the poop deck (oo missus) and trunks
all covered in stickers. Frotting in the moonlight. Friggin' in the
Riggin'. (anyone who knows the next line gets a drive-by snog)
I have to admit that I had a snigger this morning when "Carry On Luggage"
was referred to. Perhaps we should get the Carry On team out of
retirement/graves to do that one.
And also? What a LOAD of WHINEY people!!! "oeh noes!! I can't take my
make-up bag or mp3 player or PSP on board, boohoo!!!"
Oh, grow up.
*stumps off, grumping*
I haven't commented on the madness going on over here yet, because
1. I haven't fully assimilated it - living in the far east of the country,
far away from the Big Smoke and International airports. I'm probably just as
remote from it all, as my flist in other countries. I had no intention
really, of getting on a plane after 11th September and I feel less inclined
to do so now.
Not particularly because of the "terrorism threat" but because of the wave
of half-assed, confusing, unorganised bureaucracy that would go with it. If
this happened in somewhere like Denmark or Germany they would have systems
in place in hours. They are probably already written into the airport's
protocol, and the staff would have had training on such issues. The thing
with the English is that we are a nation of firefighters. With every crisis
that happens, floods, fire, bombs, leaves on the line, wrong kind of snow,
we let it happen first and then try and work out a way of dealing with it
afterwards. There just seems to be no planning.
I remember being in America when there was a bomb scare on a bus, many years
ago. It was wonderfully efficient, we were taken off the bus, swiftly and
calmly - the bus driver obviously knew what to do - had had training - we
waited an incredibly short time before another bus arrived to whisk us
away. Over here, I've had the same experience on a train over here, and we
were trapped on the train for an hour, in terror, and then had to wait six
hours for buses to get taken on to the destination.
2. I'm horribly cynical about the whole thing, I'm afraid. I know how
devious governments can be, and at the moment, there is a lot of sympathy
towards the Lebanese. I'm not saying that's what this is about, but I'm not
saying it isn't, either.
Where I have to agree with http://grrm.livejournal.com/5804.html George
Martin is wondering where it will end, and the implications of it all.
(probity probes, anyone?) I have to admit that if I had a Cello or a laptop
I would object very strongly putting it in the hold, especially as there are
no guarantees that i would get compensation if it were damaged. Yes yes,
travel insurance blah blah but insurance companies are already wriggling out
of their responsibilites citing "terrorism" which of course isn't covered.
Perhaps it will bring about the next golden age of sea travel. I'm all for
that!! Steamer chairs, assignations on the poop deck (oo missus) and trunks
all covered in stickers. Frotting in the moonlight. Friggin' in the
Riggin'. (anyone who knows the next line gets a drive-by snog)
I have to admit that I had a snigger this morning when "Carry On Luggage"
was referred to. Perhaps we should get the Carry On team out of
retirement/graves to do that one.
And also? What a LOAD of WHINEY people!!! "oeh noes!! I can't take my
make-up bag or mp3 player or PSP on board, boohoo!!!"
Oh, grow up.
*stumps off, grumping*
