Ahh Centaurus, it sounds like you've got the Aussie version of America's Southwest airlines. That sort of stuff is par for the course... I've only been on two SW flights but I remember one speech reminding us that "In the event of a water landing our seat cushions could be used as a floatation device. Simply kick - paddle, kick - paddle all the way to dry land. And upon reaching dry land, feel free to keep your seat cushion as a souvenier courtesy of Southwest."