Gate changes, especially those sprung on travellers at the last minute, are a real pain point in air travel. The primary drivers are usually a last-minute aircraft swap due to a mechanical issue or an unexpected delay on an inbound flight occupying the planned gate.
I was on my way to Hong Kong for business, just as I had done three times in the past six months. But smoke coming from the plane had me thinking this would be my last flight. The flight was already very delayed. I was one of the last to board. It was then delayed for another hour. The crew said the plane was overweight, and they were taking luggage off it.
Transport for London (TfL) has brought just four prosecutions against passengers for loud phone conversations or playing audio on their devices since 2020, it has emerged. The transport authority's byelaws state that no passenger shall, to the annoyance of any person, sing or use any instrument, article or equipment for the production or reproduction of sound. This would include having phone conversations on speaker or playing music out loud.