British Parliment Deicing Runways?

The following is a true story from my friend Anna Marie, who sent it for a laugh. Laughter is the best medicine. I loved it so much, I thought I would share it.


"In 1995, I was in England on a business trip. There was a "supposed" 100 Year blizzard the night before I was to fly out. I called the airline and was told that we were leaving on time.


I ate a cold breakfast and got to the airport on time. I got through all of the checkpoints and we boarded on time. I was thrilled. With that, the stewardess came into Economy and announced that we were going to get the thrill of sitting in our seats for an extra 8 hours or until they brought chemicals. The man sitting diagonally in front of me brought his fist back into my face and yelled at the stewardess: What do you mean that we are going to have to sit in these --- seats!


I became worried that World War III was going to break out. I quietly popped up and stated that we did not need chemicals to defrost the runways. The man ready to start World War III turned around in his seat and put his fist in the stewardess's face and faced me with a scowl.

I stated: "What I am going to propose is illegal, but I think we can get away with it if we get the support of her majesty the Queen. Both her majesty's eldest son and her husband are noted environmentalists. They would both like to see a reduction in the use of chemicals and would be able to talk her majesty into supporting us. All we needed to do was send a fleet of helicopters up to Parliament and kidnap the entire UK Parliament. They could debate out on the runways and their hot air would melt the runways. No chemicals. If by chance any MP got sick debating out on the runway, they got to test out the British health care system.


The man ready to start World War III cracked up laughing and said: "That's a perfect job for a politician!"

When the plane landed, the pilot was waiting for me and told me: "That the Economy Stewardess told Business Class what I had quipped. The Business Class Stewardess told the Business Class and the Business Class thought it was a great idea. The Business Class Stewardess told the First Class Stewardess. First Class Passengers all thought it was a great idea too. First Class Stewardess told me and I thought about it and told the Control Tower at Gatwick. The Control Tower at Gatwick thought it was a great idea and passed it along. Who really had fun with it was the Russians. The Russian Control Towers were debating which country's legislature or parliament created the most hot air when the Northwest Plane pulled out and was the first plane to leave due to my joke.


Gatwick decided that we told the best joke and we were the first plane allowed out after the chemicals were delivered.

This year the Washington State Legislature was in session during the last heavy snow storm and Olympia got almost double the snow of Seattle. So we can't blame the Washington State Legislature for hot air.


By the way, this is a true story. I don't know if it was wise for us to be the first plane out of London after the snowstorm. I think though that the story shows a wide spread distrust of politicians worldwide. Unfortunately, I believe that we are going to need all of the world politicians to work to improve air safety. We need to standardize air traffic laws and stand united against terrorism."

And thus proves... laughter is the best medicine, especially when you want to takeoff first!

Anna Marie, thank you for the smiles today.

Enjoy the journey!
XOX Karlene