The Calmness of Cashews

As many of you may know, I travel quite a bit. In fact, whilst I’ve heard others wish they could have the time they spend commuting back, only the other day I said to my wife that if I could get back all the time spent waiting for bags at an airport carousel, I’d live to be 110+.

The thing is, you know, or at least usually expect, to have to wait for your bags, just as you know what to expect on a ‘normal’ commute. When I travel Business or such it always fascinates me that the airline, and I think it’s all the airlines I’ve used, but a label on my bag or bags, which suggests they should be handled as “Priority”. I think that only once, as far as I can remember, have my ‘priority’ bags come out in the first tranche of bags, and very often they are amongst the last to appear. Ho Hum!

So delays when travelling are to be expected and endured in this day and age.

Some of you may be aware that there is a law in the EU which, in essence, states that if a journey by air, into or out of the EU, or on an EU based airline, is greater than 3 hours, the airline are required to compensate the traveller financially and if the flight is cancelled to refund and compensate, or delayed overnight to compensate and pay accommodation.

The three hours is the trigger.

Which brings me to this weekend.

A colleague and I were travelling back from a conference on a BA flight which was delayed for a time on the apron leaving the US and on arrival in the UK. Total time of delay, guess…. 2 hours 52 minutes.

Now I readily admit, as a long-time regular transatlantic flyer, I have favoured Virgin for many years. And referred to BA as Bleeding Awful. Won’t go into my other explanation of what airline initials actually stand for.

However, in the last couple of years, Virgin has been resting on their laurels, and, in my opinion, almost all other airlines have improved their in the air experience to supersede them. Though Virgin lounges are still amongst the best I believe.

So why did I mention this most recent delay on a BA flight?

Well, because I have to say, that if I am to suffer a similar delay in future, then the way the air crew dealt with the situation was exemplary.

First the Captain and First Officer kept the passengers informed. Even though the issue, one to do with the fuel connecting pipe to the plane, seemed unnecessarily simple, they conveyed almost a blow by blow and updated their best ETD estimates. The Cabin crew encouraged passengers to move and keep hydrated.

Then in my mind, the piece de la resistance, they served Cashew nuts to the passengers. Something with was remarkedly calming, and I don’t know why, but it was.

Whilst I readily admit this delay basically cost me a whole Saturday, I don’t hold it against the airline because of their on-board personnel, and because of the Cashews.

So, if you are in charge of a difficult and potentially stressful situation, remember keep the communications going and update everyone whenever you can. And don’t forget the Calmness of the Cashews!