There's always a first time...

I'm back!

Still somewhat jet-lagged and with a pile of newspapers to catch up on (something I always do post-vacation), so just one short real-life anecdote here:

Lufthansa Flight LH329 from Venice to Frankfurt had been uneventful. Upon touchdown at Frankfurt, as expected once the seatbelt-on light went off, passengers (at least us cattle-classers) scrambled off their seats to grab their bags from the overhead bins and to "chope" aisle space.

All facing forwards, we waited, and waited.

Then the voice of the captain came on via the PA system: "Ladies and gentlemen, we seem to have a slight problem. The ground staff do not seem to know we have arrived."

Very understated German humour, I must say. He went on to explain that he was still trying to sort matters out. Finally, after about 20 minutes -- with fidgety passengers fretting about their connecting flights -- we were told a shuttle bus had arrived, and that it was parked at the plane's rear.

We all turned around, to leave the aircraft in a most unsual way. On my way out, I could not resist telling the two smiling crew members at the steps leading down: "This is the first time I'm doing it from the back!"

So, what does Lufthansa stand for? How about this: Locate Us, Frankfurt Terminal! Hurry, And Not Stand Around.