Did you catch this story too? I found it hilarious, but then, I wasn't one of the passengers.
Comtel Airlines, flying a 737 fairly well loaded with passengers heading from India to the United Kingdom, had to put down in Vienna where the flight was delayed for six hours while the airline appealed to the customers to cough up $31,000 to pay for fuel so they could finish the trip. The passengers were allowed to leave the plane to visit ATM machines to get the cash, then escorted back on.
And no, this was not some scripted movie scene, it actually happened. Comtel was guilty in not having enough margin to complete a flight but they weren't totally to blame. It seems that a company named Skyjet had sold the flight to the passengers on Comtel, but didn't hand over Comtel's share of the proceeds and subsequently declared bankruptcy, thus leaving Comtel and its passengers stranded in Italy. I have no idea how everything turned out, but this is a hostage taking story with a new wrinkle for sure. Pay more or you don't fly any further!
I recall my teenage years when we all chipped in a buck or two and gave it to the guy or the girl who had a car for the weekend, knowing that when it came time to get to the party or dance in the next town, we would get there ... and get back home again too ... usually. Once in awhile the vehicle supplier/chauffeur just didn't have enough gas and cash to make it both ways, so we'd have to slap another dollar down or walk. But that was small town blackmail business. I can't imagine how those folks from Mumbai felt about spending unwanted time in Italy when they were expecting London.
On to other issues.
Just the other day our mother radio station, the CBC was having fun with listeners who were phoning and texting in response to their question of what was the best advice you ever received from a parent or senior mentor?
The response was strong and there were all kinds of funny replies such as the guy who said his grandfather told him to always eat pork and wear long underwear in winter. Sounds pretty Saskatchewan to me.
Naturally the question got my memory juices flowing.
A kindly old editor once informed me that the best thing I could ever do as a reporter was to hone my listening skills.
"Everyone loves to talk, the skill is learning how to listen properly," he said.
Sage advice for someone in this profession. Mind you I spend an inordinate amount of my time talking as well. Those who know me well will attest to that. But when the occasion calls for it, reporters are supposed to know when to shut up and tune in.
The other best piece of advice I ever received came from my mother when I was about eight years old.
"Read to learn, read to enjoy," she said, and then followed up with something to the effect that if I never got to the point where I enjoyed reading, then I wouldn't be learning half the things I needed to.
At the time, I simply interpreted it as meaning she was too busy to read me stories, so I'd have to do that myself.
Not bad advice though.
Finishing off with another one line paraprosdokian.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
E-mail me if you feel inclined, I check my inbox at least once a day, if I'm in a good mood, normpark@estevanmercury.ca
