London PAGPFT (pronounced PAG-puffed); People Are Getting Paid For This.
FOXTROTS
Fox – sly. Trots – left-leaning (Trotsky) plus its more insalubrious meaning.
Foxtrots – leading the industry in a dance.
2009 September 07
London PAGPFT (pronounced PAG-puffed); People Are Getting Paid For This.
-Transferring at London Heathrow, international-to-international, I passed four signs asking me to ‘Show Boarding Pass’, so I prepared that document. When my turn came at the desk, the agent asked “Passport Please”. I now realise that the words “Show Boarding Pass” really mean “Show Passport and Boarding Pass”. I should have guessed.
-Some authorities need an Editor. Who was the person who got paid for a decision to change the word ‘Immigration’ to ‘Border Control’? I accept that BC is well understood by say 75% of people who arrive in the UK, but that compares with 95% that I reckon understand ‘Immigration’.
-Someone else who needs an Editor – A British Airways on-board announcement talks of “dedicated coaches” for transfer passengers to other terminals. Are “dedicated coaches” actually “enthusiastic helpers”, or would using the word “buses” be understood by more people?
-French-language translation of security warning at London Heathrow is wrong. It advises that ‘baggage abandonee’ will be destroyed, but the warning is not for baggage abandoned, it is actually for ‘baggage non-supervisee’.
-The aviation industry has security problems with passengers making direct transfers, particularly when they have bought duty-free liquor – which is cleared at the departure airport, but not at a transfer airport. But I came across something odd the other day. I was not allowed to buy liquor in a sealed bag from Hong Kong airport if I was making a transfer at London. But I found I was allowed if I bought liquor in a sealed bag on board British Airways. If there is a difference in security, it is minor. This sounds more like a commercial arrangement; BA has made an agreement with security for special clearance. I propose this loophole is closed – in the interests of security.
The Fox
