I wonder if those complaining that the reference to Blackpool was ‘snobbish’ etc have considered that it was merely a way of suggesting that people who are so easily “terrified” might, instead of flying abroad for their holidays, go to a seaside resort which can be reached by road … even though driving on motorways is not without risk.
I made the reference to Blackpool, and FL has read my thoughts exactly. I can't imagine it being much of a holiday if people are so anxious about the flight at either end. Their response to this event suggests to me that they were already in a state of high anxiety before the request was made to move for W&B issues. My guess is that not all 71 were so anxious, but that the response by a minority then set off anxiety in the remainder of the 71.
As a Lancastrian I'm happy for as many as possible to spend their ££s in my county of birth rather than in a Spanish resort.