Airline Dictionary
A friend sent me this by e-mail and I really felt I had to share it with you:
Airline Dictionary:
The airline industry, like any other, has a specialized dictionary. These are words and phrases that are used commonly by airline employees for which the meanings may not be obvious to outsiders.
* Check-in 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 psychoanalysts, and and the tact of a
diplomat. They have mysterious abilities to control wind/rain/snow/fog and all other weather phenomenon. They are capable of answering three questions at one time, while talking on the phone, and without stuttering or choking on their tongue.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Group - A large loud pack of passengers (see passenger) traveling 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.
* Flight Schedule - An entertaining work of paperback fiction.
* On Time - An obscure term, meaning unknown.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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."
* 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.