A Ryanair flight on its way from Krakow to Dublin was diverted today and had to make an emergency landing at Stansted airport. The flight was accompanied into the airport by two RAF Typhoon jets which had been scrambled following the security alert. It’s all very James Bond, isn’t it? Well no, a note had been discovered in the toilets stating that there was a bomb on board and the captain had to follow procedure. The plane landed in a remote area of the airport, passengers disembarked and then it was being inspected. Krakow to Stansted is quite a distance so it took a while to discover the note, could this be someone’s idea of a sick joke? Travelling in the middle of a pandemic is already bad enough, we can do without jokesters.
Many travellers are expecting to board a plane with at least half of the seats empty. This doesn’t seem to be the case as passengers are saying that flights are full. Travel experts say that we will have to get used to new types of planes and companies are coming up with ideas to give passengers some protection from the people around them. We all know that this means less seats on the plane and consequentially higher prices. I can see air travel being taken away from the masses and mostly being used by the wealthy or business travellers. It would be a shame, I loved airlines like Ryanair that flew from my local airport at a price I could easily afford. It used to cost £350 to fly to France or Spain and Ryanair brought the price down to between £50 and £150. What’s not to like?
“Breaking News” The government has made face masks mandatory in shops from Friday July 24th. Anyone who doesn’t comply can be fined a maximum of £100. All very good but who is going to police the shops? And will it be like the ‘mandatory on all public transport’? because down here in Bournemouth the drivers are allowing anyone on the buses even if they don’t have a mask and say they cannot impose it. I have my supply of masks and I intend wearing one when I am in an enclosed space. It’s not to protect me but to protect others. If everyone wore one it might actually work. And, BoJo why the 24th, what are we waiting for, the second wave?
Have you ever heard of a band called Ed the Dog? I haven’t but they’re in the news. Charlie Lashmar a member of this band was involved in a car accident on New Year’s Day on the A1 in County Durham. His car flipped over on the icy road but he managed to climb out and stood shivering in the snow. A guy stopped, had traffic cones, high vis jackets and took control of the situation helping everyone till the police arrived. He even gave Charlie a warm jumper from his car. Charlie has been trying to find the guy ever since and has even written a song thanking him. Is it you? Although he wants to keep the jumper, says it still keeps him warm on a cold night. Good night.