Ear in the Sky

Many a-times, I’ve been (un)fortunate to listen in on lousy in-flight announcements. You know, the stuff the Leading Stewards/Stewardesses say to welcome passengers on board. Most often than not, they’ll say it with the thickest of thickest of un-identifiable slang unknown to mankind.

“Twwann-twwann dan Pwwann-pwwann…terrrrimer kaser keraner memiley pernerrrbangan XXX.”
“Ladeeesandgentermen,wekemtofright342to yada yada yada….”

By the end of the announcement, I’m already hit with a migraine. And golly, that’s only the welcoming announcement we’re talking about. Let’s not forget the security briefing, the mid-flight info, and the arrival announcement as we land. Panadol panadol, three tablets please…no, make it three packs please.

There was one particular local flight that stuck in my mind (and not to mention my ear drums). The announcements were SOOOO bad and unintelligible, I can’t really tell if he was speaking in English, Malay or Swahili! If it weren’t for the seatbelt, I’d probably have jumped out of my seat, run down the aisle (probably knocking a few cabin crew on my way), and start a crash-course on ARTICULATION & PRONOUNCIATION with the poor chap.

But today — today was good. Was on a business trip via PEN-KUL and I must say, I was treated to a very good, if not the best, in-flight announcement I have heard in a loooooong time. Sigh…all’s not lost, after all.

“Twannn-twaann dan pwaaannn-pwaaan, kiter telarr mendarrat dir lapangan terrrbang antrrrebangser….”

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