I have learned that there is a massive difference between how airlines handle the issue of "turbulence" in different countries. For those of you who are not aware, I have a somewhat irrational fear of airplane turbulence. Not the side to side kind, so much, but the bouncing, bobbing, and dropping kind of turbulence that usually ends up with your stomach being somewhere between your eyeballs. My fear has evolved over the past few years, as I have been on quite a few flights where the airplane has free-fallen a greater distance than I deemed normal (and the rest of the flight usually agreed -- when the entire plane screams, you know it's an issue).
Anyhow, on the way back from Indonesia, we had a very calm, gentle Aussie pilot who I thought handled the issue of oncoming turbulence quite nicely -- "Ladies and gentlemen, just to let you know, we are approaching a short bit of turbulence. There may be a few bumps here and there, but not to worry....this is completely normal, and in no way will I be putting the aircraft in an unsafe position. So sit back, relax, and please enjoy the rest of the flight." And I was immediately put at ease for the first time in quite awhile.
Compare that with my flight to England today and our blunt, British stewardess -- "Ladies and gentlemen, we do apologize that your dinners have been delayed. The pilot has informed us that there is some very heavy turbulence ahead, and he has asked us to postpone them as the bouncing around could cause the meal trailers to become quite dangerous in the cabin. Please fasten your seatbelts and remain in your seats. Hopefully, we will be able to resume service in a quarter of an hour or so." I could just picture stewardesses, meal carts, and teriyaki chicken flying through the air in a few short moments.
Arghh....if you fear turbulence, there is QUITE a difference between the two. I guess the Brits have always tried to just prepare for the worst. But I'll fly with the Aussie pilot any day.
Anyhow, on the way back from Indonesia, we had a very calm, gentle Aussie pilot who I thought handled the issue of oncoming turbulence quite nicely -- "Ladies and gentlemen, just to let you know, we are approaching a short bit of turbulence. There may be a few bumps here and there, but not to worry....this is completely normal, and in no way will I be putting the aircraft in an unsafe position. So sit back, relax, and please enjoy the rest of the flight." And I was immediately put at ease for the first time in quite awhile.
Compare that with my flight to England today and our blunt, British stewardess -- "Ladies and gentlemen, we do apologize that your dinners have been delayed. The pilot has informed us that there is some very heavy turbulence ahead, and he has asked us to postpone them as the bouncing around could cause the meal trailers to become quite dangerous in the cabin. Please fasten your seatbelts and remain in your seats. Hopefully, we will be able to resume service in a quarter of an hour or so." I could just picture stewardesses, meal carts, and teriyaki chicken flying through the air in a few short moments.
Arghh....if you fear turbulence, there is QUITE a difference between the two. I guess the Brits have always tried to just prepare for the worst. But I'll fly with the Aussie pilot any day.
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As for the rest of our day, it was perfectly lovely. Weather is about 70 degrees during the day, chilly at night (which is very exciting when you live in Houston!). We got to wander around Oxford on our own today -- such a picturesque town. Then, of course, dinner and meetings, meetings, meetings. I got to meet some of my students (I have 7 girls altogether), and they seem very sweet and quite brilliant -- their essays vary from being on the Changes from Greek to Roman Mythology to Cause and Effect in Changes in Blood pH to analyzing art and literature and some concepts that I had very little comprehension of. Pretty fascinating! Anyway, off to get at least a little bit of rest before starting over again tomorrow!
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