Comments by EdF London

I don't know why we are regularly encouraged to think LHR is more convenient than LGW. Or is it a West End and Chelsea perspective, perhaps the opinion of too many Range Rover Robbies. For those of us who live in parts of London that include Wapping and areas east, the two-stop direct trains from London Bridge and the alternative, Victoria and Gatwick Express, make LGW much more palatable than LHR.

Perhaps I've missed it, but I'm surprised no one has picked up on how difficult it can be to get any kind of visa to Saudi Arabia. It isn't just for the reasons listed in other comments.

For example, check the website for their embassy in Washington: "Tourist Visa" is NOT one of the options.

Generally, one has to go there on pre-approved business or as part of a tour such as a Hajj group. A fair comparison might be that visiting Saudi Arabia is about as easy (or as difficult, depending on your perspective or mood) as visiting Russia. Unlike a number of other Afican and Asian countries, you can't just show up at the gate, pay a small fee, and walk across the border.

As for visas from other countries, even my visa stamp from Turkey has caused some extra scrutiny so let's not single out Saudi Arabia as some kind of unique demon.

This is one of my favourite topics to discuss with friends.

I have developed a theory that there is a strong correlation between empathy and how much one adapts to the local dialect. Highly empathic people, who have a great desire to be understood and inclusive, tend to modify their sounds, inflections, word choices, to match their surroundings that do those who are less inclined.

I think a further study (and I wish I were in a PhD program/programme so I could pursue this) would show it is not predicated by where one lives as much as by the empathy factors.

Sorry SeryyVolk. The War of 1812 was when the British invaded American in an attempt to "take it back," including burning the White House and the Capitol. Not quite the same war.

I agree with you almost entirely. Except for douche bag/douchebag.

A douche bag is a bag (often filled with vinegar and water) with which someone (usually a she) douches, while a douchebag is a stupid git, is it (usually a he) not?

Darn. After your mention of the underused Bird's Nest and Athens' crumbling parts, I was hoping to see a plug for West Ham to use the stadium. Maybe next editorial on the subject?

One thing not mentioned which may be to Nokia's advantage long term is brand loyalty. Every Nokia user I know in the UK will not consider any other brand, key features notwithstanding. Others, who are not Nokia loyalists, will potentially chase the latest gadgets, myself included having gone from Samsung to Motorola to iPhone. For the long-haul, it is likely to be Nokia that is the most stable.

I find the whole online check-in thing a bit peculiar. Perhaps it is driven by those who carry on only, but as a long-hauler, even if I check in online, it is the same drill at the airport. Yada yada yada. And as a 50+ I'll cast my vost for the iPhone.

As an American living in London for the last 11 years, no surprise with the punctuality of the closing time. I'd be surprised if they even let you in the door after 5:45 for a 6pm rental.

Even my local, upper-end Waitrose supermarket won't let anyone in the front door from 15 minutes before closing time. And if they do, you're still dodging the brooms and mops so every employee can be out the door promptly at the stated closing time.

The posted closing time is for the staff, not the customers. Like I said, no surprise there at all.

Gee, I don't know: that SkyRest thingy looks like it might be worth a try. For example, I fly to Nairobi from London overnight once a month and am never willing to pay for anything more than premium economy. And from Dallas to London (also overnight) several times a year. As a stomach or side sleeper (TMI, I know) I don't sleep in a sitting up position. This looks like the next best thing. If only they will guarantee that it will fit between me and the reclined seat in front of me. There's the rub.

In January, I flew BA from LHR to Nairobi in the back of the back, 9 hours in a seat that wouldn't stay upright, which turned out, sadly, to be ok because the seat in front of me, close as could be, wouldn't stay up either. From what third-world country was I flying their flag carrier?

On my next trip to Nairobi, Virgin Atlantic turned out to be significantly cheaper, so, even tho I usually fly BA within the EU, I opted to move over. Now I'm a Virgin fan and will not be returning to BA no matter what the price. On Virgin: friendly staff, excellent equipment (ultra-modern Airbus), all-around superior experience - and at almost 9 hours per leg, it makes a huge difference. Oh,yeah, and I got to pick any available seat as soon as I ticketed and didn't have to remember to check in 23 hours and 59 minutes before my flight to avoid the middle seat madness.

THANKS, VIRGIN. Bye-bye BA.

What the H is all the drama about GM going into bankrupcy? How many US airlines have done it and come out looking pretty much the same? without, of course, labour costs and all their hard-earned debts to pay.

Can we leave the drama for something more, er, dramatic ?

Over the last 13 years, I've flown UA, CO, BA, and Virgin transatlantic. Service has deteriorated; planes have, too. On UA since I started: no more free drinks after dinner in econ and no more fancy chocolates in biz. Those, by themselves, aren't significant, but they (a) add up and (b) are representative. And that doesn't count UA's 100K certificates no longer being any good on international flights. Dumb me down, Scotty. And crowd me in.