Going Heathrow to Oslo some time ago with SAS. Sat next to a lady who was visiting her husband, who was working there. On pushback she asked me if we were on a DC10. No, Madam, I replied, it's a DC9, in fact it's an MD87 and virtually brand new. Oh, she said, you know a little about flying, to which I modestly replied ' a little' Tell me, she said, how safe is flying these days. Madam, this is Heathrow. What goes on outside the window happens day in, day out, week in, week, etct.,etc., and nothing bad ever happens. This seemed to calm her down. Eventually we were no.2 for take off behind a TWA Tristar. It set off down the runway, after half a mile, came to an abrupt halt, all the doors and chutes opened, and they chucked everyone off it 'cos it was on fire!!![Air conditioning duct I believe] She didn't speak to me for the rest of the flight!!{No serious damage, but the same aircraft burnt to a cinder on the ground at JFK 3 years later, if I remember correctly]. On the return trip, aisle seat alongside a gorgeous young thing. Got talking, she had never had a flight deck visit. I can arrange that, I toldher. Called a Flight Attendant, who duly spoke to Captain, and said pretty young thing disappeared up front. This will be good for conversation when she gets back thought I. To my complete dejection, she NEVER re-appeared from the Flight Deck, staying up there for the landing, taxiing in, the lot!!! Bet it made the Flight Crew's day, but it sure didn't make mine!!!!!!!!!
