Popular Post theblether Posted February 12, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted February 12, 2013 (edited) Monks / Priests / Air Crew First Priority..... I can't think of seeing that sign anywhere else on my travels, as seen when clearing the door security at CM airport today......Lo and behold I noticed several monks getting off a flight arriving from Swampy and the way my mind works ( which is a mystery to me )......I wondered if they actually pay for their flights? Then I started to wonder about priests getting priority, I didn't know there were that many in Thailand, and why would a priest get priority but not an Imam? Maybe they meant Imam's instead of priests, but how do you know someone is an Imam? So I wasted 5 minutes of my life worrying about Imam's being unfairly treated at security. Then I remembered being at Swampy around about the time of the Hajj last year and it seemed to be that every pilgrim brought 60 family members each to the airport to send them off, it's the only time in my life I literally could not traverse the check-in area for bodies, it was unbelievable. It took me half an hour to get to the Emirates check in........did all the Imam's get priority check in that day? Then I wondered, why should Air Crew get priority, surely they should turn up for work early enough to clear security like the rest of us? Is giving them priority just encouraging them to be tardy? I don't like the idea of air crew being tardy, where could that end? So while worrying about freebie flights for monks, hard done by Imam's and tardy Air Crew my mind drifted to a thing a pal said to me last week, he said that being a monk is the best job in Thailand as you don't have to do much and your guaranteed being fed every day. He did complain though that they get too much money and he get's annoyed when he see's them buying giant TV's and using Iphone's. Then that got me wondering where do they keep their Iphone's, do robes have pockets in them? Another 5 minutes of my life wasted thinking about that. However my pal did say the downside of being a monk is that you have to eat what your given, and these days most of what they are given is junk food as people are to busy to cook for them the way they did before, so therefore they're getting fat. I think sitting watching the telly all day would have something to do with too, so another 5 minutes gone worrying about fat monks not exercising and struggling to find pocket's for their Iphone. So while I was away day dreaming about all of these important issues I missed the last call for my flight and it was only by luck that one of the security ladies at CMK knows me and she gave me a shake to catch my flight. So I got on the plane and started worrying myself about all above issues when I see this dreamy hostess making her way towards me, it was like slow motion, an elegant, graceful, pale skinned angel staring into me with those gorgeous hazel eyes, her teeth glowing whiter than virgin snow, I was transfixed by her beauty and I thought it was one of those serendipitous moments when at last, two hearts come together, just like a Shakespearean sonnet. The quiet tinkle of her voice smothered me in honey and it took a moment for me to realize the message she was sending to my soul....... " Mister theblether, you left your credit cards and Emirates Gold card in the lounge " Delighted as I was to have them back I was deflated that my one chance of happiness with this gorgeous creature was gone, so now I had a pang of regret at this loss, as well as the worry about obese pocketless monks, hard done by Imam's and tardy air crew to contend with. The aircraft rolled down the runway and took off into the smog covering Chiang Mai, rose a few thousand feet past the clouds which were wearing their best clothes, popping shapes and dancing across the beautiful now clear, blue sky, when I had a eureka moment, a realization that will stay with me forever. I tink too mutt. Just sayin' . Edited February 12, 2013 by theblether 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roamer Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 (edited) I feel a Scottish Bill Bryson in the wings... And you have "Mistertheblether" on your credit cards ? Edited February 12, 2013 by roamer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetongue Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Rest easy. Some of the robes have a pocket, or they can carry their phone in a shoulder bag. Perhaps, priests is a generic term for clergy of all faith, rabbis imams shamans. All the monks that I regularly see get cooked food and none of them are very fat. Air crew can get caught in traffic jams too, when they are running late I want them on the plane checking dials and making coffee asap Travelling from Thailand in a dream state is not uniquely a Blether thing. I left my wallet, cards and passport in the transit lounge at Sydney four years back, but I had made it back in country. The hosty handing them back was Qantas though so no dream state there. Definitely tinking too much but strange now I cant remember what as there are too many other tings to tink about 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 I feel a Scottish Bill Bryson in the wings... And you have "Mistertheblether" on your credit cards ? Yup......it's my real name you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetongue Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Monks do pay something for their transportation but perhaps not the full monty. One that was hitchhiking once around Phang Nga told me that he caught the bus down from Korat at half price but the busdriver made him get off short. He then proceeded to give me some small items. The hitchhiking monk, will ask you to take him out of your way, buy him water, or solicit a donation, just do it, if you tink about it, its too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Rest easy. Some of the robes have a pocket, or they can carry their phone in a shoulder bag. Perhaps, priests is a generic term for clergy of all faith, rabbis imams shamans. All the monks that I regularly see get cooked food and none of them are very fat. Air crew can get caught in traffic jams too, when they are running late I want them on the plane checking dials and making coffee asap Travelling from Thailand in a dream state is not uniquely a Blether thing. I left my wallet, cards and passport in the transit lounge at Sydney four years back, but I had made it back in country. The hosty handing them back was Qantas though so no dream state there. Definitely tinking too much but strange now I cant remember what as there are too many other tings to tink about Apparently there was a story last week re BKK monks in particular becoming obese due to their poor diet........I'd normally research it but I was on a 6 day bender and I couldn't hold my thoughts together long enough. ps. Is there an inherent defect with Qantas hostesses? Emirates ( who I fly with ) are tying up with them in March and you've got me worried now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I feel a Scottish Bill Bryson in the wings... A favourite author of mine. theblether, if you have never read his A Short History of Nearly Everything ... I'll buy you a copy for Christmas. roamer ... in the wings .. subtle. Actually, I was very privilaged to be invited into a Monks home recently as the gf's mother's Uncle is a Monk and was given unfetted access with the camera ... I'll see if I can dig out a photo to share. I have full permission to share. Nice tale btw ... any plane photos ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 " Mister theblether, you left your credit cards and Emirates Gold card in the lounge "Delighted as I was to have them back I was deflated that my one chance of happiness with this gorgeous creature was gone ... Maybe one future tactic could be to enquire as the Flight Attendants name as you wish to personally thank her for her professional service and the return of the credits cards was appreciated and that you would like to show your appreciation in person ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluetongue Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Qantas often have older women, usually theres nothing wrong with them but sometimes they dont stack up against the competition. I have half followed a story about Qantas trying to exploit various loopholes in Australian legislation to allow them to recruit overseas and pay less maybe too. So you'll be alright. Monks upcountry usually have pretty sparse accomodation just a room, maybe a small TV, there will be a fridge somewhere. I worry about their feet walking all that way in the morning with no shoes. The other day I thunk too much and felt sorry for him, so borrowed my neighbours saleng (3 wheel) and gave him a lift back to the temple, via another house where people gave him food. That was a sight fit for a photo, shirtless ape putting mildly to wat, skinny monk clutching handrails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post endure Posted February 13, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2013 I suggest that anyone who thinks that monks have an easy life ordain for a few months, preferably somewhere like Wat Nong Pah Pong or Wat Pa Nanachat, and then come back here and tell us all how easy it was... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosha Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Best flight I ever had was set next to a monk LHR-BKK with Thai. The Thais on the flight constantly brought food offerings. He handed them over to me and the guy on his other side. The look on the business passengers faves as a cattle class passenger was given priority, priceless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
His Masters Voice Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 You just told a cool story bro - I look forward to reading more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negreanu Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) Then I wondered, why should Air Crew get priority, surely they should turn up for work early enough to clear security like the rest of us? Is giving them priority just encouraging them to be tardy? I don't like the idea of air crew being tardy, where could that end? 1. Flight time limitations. 2. Do you want your crew turning up 2 hours earlier tired after queuing up at immigration/security, complete safety checks and aircraft preflight then fly your plane across the pacific and then having to deal with a abnormal event fatigued. - No I didn't think so.. Suck it up..... However the monk issue I agree with... Edited February 13, 2013 by negreanu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeownership Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 You articulated python you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Then I wondered, why should Air Crew get priority, surely they should turn up for work early enough to clear security like the rest of us? Is giving them priority just encouraging them to be tardy? I don't like the idea of air crew being tardy, where could that end? 1. Flight time limitations. 2. Do you want your crew turning up 2 hours earlier tired after queuing up at immigration/security, complete safety checks and aircraft preflight then fly your plane across the pacific and then having to deal with a abnormal event fatigued. - No I didn't think so.. Suck it up..... However the monk issue I agree with... Educate me re the flight time limitations......I have wondered about that in the past too. As I say I tink too mutt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negreanu Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) Educate me re the flight time limitations Basic version: Depending on local time (More restrictive if for example start time is between 23:00-05:00am) duty start time (usually 60mins prior to departure time) and the number of flights to be operated there is a limit on the hours crew can operate usually upto around the 13hour mark in the best case but as low as approx 9-10 hours in the worst. This is governed by Aviation Authorities and Airline policy. It's more complicated than that but thats the basics. So getting crew to report 2 hours earlier for security/immigration ain't gonna happen. Same concept applies when crew arrives at destination as then minimum rest requirements come into play. So no time for queue up for security/immigration/Waiting bags on arrival. Edited February 13, 2013 by negreanu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 You articulated python you. I'm sitting in the lounge at the new terminal in Dubai airport.........the Imam has just started morning prayers and it's being piped over the PA system.....just gave me the fright of my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Educate me re the flight time limitations Basic version: Depending on local time (More restrictive if for example start time is between 23:00-05:00am) duty start time (usually 60mins prior to departure time) and the number of flights to be operated there is a limit on the hours crew can operate usually upto around the 13hour mark in the best case but as low as approx 9-10 hours in the worst. This is governed by Aviation Authorities and Airline policy. It's more complicated than that but thats the basics. So getting crew to report 2 hours earlier ain't gonna happen. I was talking to a guy yesterday who was telling me that his flight from Vancouver to BKK took 16 hours, does that sound right? He said it was a hellish long flight, you could imagine there being serious stress on the Air Crew on flights of that length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negreanu Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I was talking to a guy yesterday who was telling me that his flight from Vancouver to BKK took 16 hours, does that sound right? He said it was a hellish long flight, you could imagine there being serious stress on the Air Crew on flights of that length. They will have additional crew possibly 1 or even 2 depending on airline to allow managed crew rest during ultra long haul such as that or longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mosha Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Then I wondered, why should Air Crew get priority, surely they should turn up for work early enough to clear security like the rest of us? Is giving them priority just encouraging them to be tardy? I don't like the idea of air crew being tardy, where could that end? 1. Flight time limitations. 2. Do you want your crew turning up 2 hours earlier tired after queuing up at immigration/security, complete safety checks and aircraft preflight then fly your plane across the pacific and then having to deal with a abnormal event fatigued. - No I didn't think so.. Suck it up..... However the monk issue I agree with... Educate me re the flight time limitations......I have wondered about that in the past too. As I say I tink too mutt Long haul flights, they will use 2 flight crews. One take off and landing, the other cruise level crew. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 I was talking to a guy yesterday who was telling me that his flight from Vancouver to BKK took 16 hours, does that sound right? He said it was a hellish long flight, you could imagine there being serious stress on the Air Crew on flights of that length. They will have additional crew possibly 1 or even 2 depending on airline to allow managed crew rest during ultra long haul such as that or longer. I often hear Air Crew complain about being treated like skivvies, they point out that there primary job is safety. I think I'll need to have a closer look at their working conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semper Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I wasted 5 minutes of my life worrying about Imam's being unfairly treated at security. Guess you lost another 20 minutes writing this short novel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JurgenG Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) I don't know what medicine the OP is taking but I want the same ... But he should be worry about the hangover, it seems to be hard stuff ... Edited February 13, 2013 by JurgenG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JurgenG Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Then I wondered, why should Air Crew get priority, surely they should turn up for work early enough to clear security like the rest of us? Is giving them priority just encouraging them to be tardy? I don't like the idea of air crew being tardy, where could that end? 1. Flight time limitations. 2. Do you want your crew turning up 2 hours earlier tired after queuing up at immigration/security, complete safety checks and aircraft preflight then fly your plane across the pacific and then having to deal with a abnormal event fatigued. - No I didn't think so.. Suck it up..... However the monk issue I agree with... Educate me re the flight time limitations......I have wondered about that in the past too. As I say I tink too mutt Long haul flights, they will use 2 flight crews. One take off and landing, the other cruise level crew. Which company ? Actually there is a resting area not accessible to passengers where F.A. can take a rest during the flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblether Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 I'm a medicine free zone.....I'm all Karma'd I wasted 5 minutes of my life worrying about Imam's being unfairly treated at security. Guess you lost another 20 minutes writing this short novel. ....and you wasted 5 reading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) Mate ... you know well my current passion. So, in the brief moments between enjoying the little luxuries of Business Class, just what personal preparations you have made for this flight? Your ocular organs are working fine ... Blethering ... check - OK Personal health … DVT preventive measures:- yet to assessed. Hydrate and exercise … Edited February 13, 2013 by David48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eff1n2ret Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I remember however many years ago it was, a month after the Tsunami which killed those many thousands in Phuket and elsewhere, sitting in the foyer of a hotel in Udon Thani reading the Bangkok Post. Almost a whole page was taken up with an article by a leading Bhuddist luminary discussing what justice there was in so many innocent lives being taken by that disaster. The burden of his argument was that as well as our individual existence we have a collective existence, and share a collective responsibility for all the evil in the world, and must suffer collectively. The only salvation lay in simplifying our lives, and sleeping on the floor and eating vegetables, like monks - (a paraphrase of a very long article, but that was the flavour of it.) Later that morning we checked in at the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai, and went through to the departure lounge which was newly built and mostly bare concrete, apart from a few rows of plastic chairs. However, along one wall was the largest Chesterfield sofa I have ever seen, magnificent plush red leather. Above it was a sign:- "Reserved for monks" I subsided onto one of the plastic chairs, wondering whether there was something in that article that I had missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I suggest that anyone who thinks that monks have an easy life ordain for a few months, preferably somewhere like Wat Nong Pah Pong or Wat Pa Nanachat, and then come back here and tell us all how easy it was... Easier than harvesting rice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I always enjoy reading your spiels Mr Blether, not a waste of 5 minutes of ones life. Just sayn' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) I remember however many years ago it was, a month after the Tsunami which killed those many thousands in Phuket and elsewhere, sitting in the foyer of a hotel in Udon Thani reading the Bangkok Post. Almost a whole page was taken up with an article by a leading Bhuddist luminary discussing what justice there was in so many innocent lives being taken by that disaster. The burden of his argument was that as well as our individual existence we have a collective existence, and share a collective responsibility for all the evil in the world, and must suffer collectively. The only salvation lay in simplifying our lives, and sleeping on the floor and eating vegetables, like monks - (a paraphrase of a very long article, but that was the flavour of it.) Later that morning we checked in at the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai, and went through to the departure lounge which was newly built and mostly bare concrete, apart from a few rows of plastic chairs. However, along one wall was the largest Chesterfield sofa I have ever seen, magnificent plush red leather. Above it was a sign:- "Reserved for monks" I subsided onto one of the plastic chairs, wondering whether there was something in that article that I had missed. I remember however many years ago it was, a month after the Tsunami which killed those many thousands in Phuket and elsewhere, sitting in the foyer of a hotel in Udon Thani reading the Bangkok Post. Almost a whole page was taken up with an article by a leading Bhuddist luminary discussing what justice there was in so many innocent lives being taken by that disaster. The burden of his argument was that as well as our individual existence we have a collective existence, and share a collective responsibility for all the evil in the world, and must suffer collectively. The only salvation lay in simplifying our lives, and sleeping on the floor and eating vegetables, like monks - (a paraphrase of a very long article, but that was the flavour of it.) Later that morning we checked in at the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai, and went through to the departure lounge which was newly built and mostly bare concrete, apart from a few rows of plastic chairs. However, along one wall was the largest Chesterfield sofa I have ever seen, magnificent plush red leather. Above it was a sign:- "Reserved for monks" I subsided onto one of the plastic chairs, wondering whether there was something in that article that I had missed. The monks or clerics in Muslim countries have people be-headed for various petty reasons. If the monks in Thailand only want a red leather lounge, thats fine with me. Edited February 13, 2013 by krisb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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