Back in the late 1960s landing in the Seychelles, on arrival at the gate the front door would crack open and two guys from the ground would enter closing the door behind them.
They would then walk up and down the aircraft spraying the cans of 'deadly mist'.
The doors had to remain shut for quite a long time (can't remember how long now) before they would allow them open and the pax to get off the aircraft.
These two guys were doing this all day for each aircraft that arrived at the airport.
When one of them died, due we were told, to the effect of the 'deadly mist' they changed the proceedure to:
Open the door 2 inches, shove two cans of spray in and slam the door shut leaving the Cabin Crew to do the nasty work.
I don't know if this still goes on today as I have been long since retired.
Last edited by JayEmKay; 28th December 2008 at 10:25.