Travel agents have become a paranoid bunch. With commission cuts and passenger service charges they are becoming increasingly distrusting of their suppliers.
Members of the Campaign for Real Travel Agents, returning from the Gibraltar conference with GB Airways, became suspicious when passengers were told the captain needed everyone’s name and address.
There were mutterings among the contingent with words like “poaching” and “our business”. The stewardesses then revealed the reason for the request – a passenger had become ill with suspected food poisoning and everyone’s details were needed in case it was the airline food. It wasn’t until the sick passenger was transported off the airline and into a waiting ambulance, that the whining was quieted.