Airline dictionary...

The Loony Bin ( loonies@bloodaxe.demon.co.uk )
Fri, 23 Aug 1996 00:48:24 +0100


Hiya Loonies...

Here's a dictionary of terms as used by Continental Arilines...

Wishes & Dreams...

- ANDREA
        xx

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  ------- Forwarded foolishness follows -------



    TERMINOLOGY      

As you are all aware, the airline industry in which we work 
has its own unique set of terminology.  The following are 
some of the most commonly used terms and their definitions.


PASSENGER -
        A herding creature of widely varying intellect, usually
        found in pairs or small groups.  Often will become
        vicious and violent in simple and easily rectified 
        situations.  When frightened or confused these creatures 
        collect into a group called a "line."  This "line" has
        no set pattern and is usually formed in inconvenient
        places.  Passengers are of four known species:
        Paxus iratus, Paxus latus, Paxus inebriatus, & Paxus
        ignoramus.

PRE-BOARD -
        Passenger who arrives at the gate five minutes before 
        departure.

VOLUNTARY OVERSALE -
        A passenger who arrives at the gate as the jetway is 
        coming off the flight.

NO-RECORD - 
        Any passenger booked through a travel agency.

NON-REVENUE POSITION - 
        Usually can be identified by the fact that these 
        passengers are in first class and are dressed in pilot or 
        flight attendant uniforms.  Non-revenue position are
        permitted to fly first class free of charge to prevent
        revenue passengers from being able to pay first class
        passenger charges.

GROUP -
        A large loud pack of passengers (see passenger) travelling 
        together.  The group leader, who has the tickets,
        usually waits in the bar until the required pre-board
        time of five minutes before departure, or until there
        are no seats left together, whichever occurs last.
        Reservation agents are prohibited form pre-assigning 
        seats to groups as this may convenience them.

SIGN -
        An airport decoration.  Usually unnoticed except by 
        small children.  Its primary function is to hide the 
        location of various areas of the airport, i.e., gate 
        numbers, rest rooms, baggage claim, etc.

POSITION CLOSED -
        This is a sign posted at various counter locations, 
        which when interpreted by the passenger says, "Form
        line here."

BAGGAGE CLAIM -
        The most difficult area of the airport to find.  It 
        is usually hidden by numerous signs saying, "Baggage 
        Claim Area."

CARRY ON BAG -
        An item, usually of large dimensions, which somehow
        managed to fit under the passenger's seat on the 
        inbound flight.  Regardless of what the passenger says
        the following are not acceptable as carry-on items:
        bicycles, steamer trunks, refrigerators, truck tires,
        or wide screen projection TVs.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE -
        An entertaining work of paperback fiction.

ON TIME -
        An obscure term, meaning unknown.

FOG -
        A natural weather phenomenon which usually occurs 
        around an airport while the surrounding areas are
        clear.  Fog is controlled by the airlines and is used
        to delay flights.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL -
        A game played by airline pilots and air traffic 
        controllers.  The game has no rules, and neither side 
        knows how it is played, but the goal is to prevent
        flights from arriving in time for passengers to make 
        connecting flights.

TICKET AGENT -
        A superhuman with the patience of a saint, the herding
        ability of an Australian sheepdog, the E.S.P. abilities
        of Uri Geller, the compassion of a psychoanalyst, and
        and the tact of a diplomat.  They have mysterious abilities 
        to control wind/rain/snow/fog and all other weather 
        phenomena.  They are capable of answering three
        questions at one time, while talking on the phone, and 
        without stuttering or choking on their tongue.  In later 
        life they sit in parks carrying on mysterious conversations
        with themselves.