Blaming ATC always worked for me.
Actually it didn't. Usually the PA was immediately followed by a call from down below from the Chief Purser, relaying a message from an Air Traffic Controller passenger to the effect that the team of men in the process of attempting to dismantle/rebuild #3 engine on the tarmac were probably not ATC, and forcefully promising extended scenic tours of his neighbourhood should I ever attempt to approach his airfield.
Sorry Chaps, Have done it a few times, caught at it most times, but as was told to me by the Ancient Aviator `That's why they have a Tower---It's like a castle, they can barricade the stairs against the ravening hordes of annoyed SLF---beats the flight deck door'
F88
