Enjoy gadgets during take-off and landing

You can now use electronic devices all the way through flights as long as they are set to 'Flight Safe' mode.

The recent change to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulation that covers the use of portable gadgets on flights means you can now play games, read an e-book or check your saved emails from tablets and phones during take-off and landing.

The only exceptions are laptops, DVD players and Bluetooth accessories, which can be used during boarding and during your flight, but need to be stowed away for taxi, take-off and landing.

Always be aware of your airlines' individuals guidelines. Ask cabin crew if you are unsure. Wi-Fi, text and phone call functions are not permitted.

Whenever you are using a device make sure they are carefully secured in your hand or pocket and that headphones do not obstruct the aisle.

Queen's Baton Arrives In NI

The Queen's Baton was presented to Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the steps of Stormont by Dame Mary Peters on Tuesday.

Our adopted schools Knocknagoney PS, St Joseph 's PS & Mitchell House joined St Ita's in passing the Queen's Baton down the Stormont hill.

The baton has, so far, traversed the world as it visits the Commonwealth countries ahead of the opening of Glasgow 2014 on 23 July.

GRAHAM Facilities Management secures £2m contract with Belfast City Airport

George Best Belfast City Airport has awarded GRAHAM Facilities Management with a substantial £2 million contract to last three years.

The contract will see a team of 22 GRAHAM members of staff provide a mix of services including grounds maintenance, cleaning, energy management and electrical and mechanical services.

Speaking on behalf of Belfast City Airport, Capital Projects and Engineering Manager, Chris

Horner, said: “The airport welcomed over 2.5 million passengers in 2013 and with new routes to London City and Doncaster-Sheffield recently announced it is vital that the facilities are maintained to support the smooth running of our operations and accommodate future growth.

“The airport supports the on-site employment of around 1,200 in the airport and provides contracts to around 40 local businesses.

“GRAHAM Facilities Management has an impressive skill set spanning both hard and soft services and we look forward to working with the team as they help us to retain our excellent customer satisfaction levels.”

Development and Technical Director of GRAHAM Asset Management, Gareth Smyth, said: “GRAHAM Facilities Management has worked hard to build on its strong reputation as a capable and reliable provider for all facilities management and maintenance services.

“By drawing upon our innovative service delivery models we are able to offer the benefits of a one stop solution shared ultimately with our clients, such as Belfast City Airport, through continuous improvement and cost reduction.”

For more information about the facilities and amenities available at Belfast City Airport please visit www.belfastcityairport.com

Queries can also be directed to the airport’s social media channels:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/belfastcityairport

Twitter – www.twitter.com/belfastcity_air

Single male 30-something? You’re the perfect passenger!

A survey of more than 700 international cabin crew members, from 85 countries by Skyscanner has revealed their perfect airline passenger, and it’s a surprising result.

The perfect passenger according to cabin crew is male; he travels alone for pleasure rather than business and he’s in his 30s. And, sorry Beckham but he’s not a celebrity, or at least not one who’d travel premium class as economy passengers top the perfect passenger survey.

For cabin crew operating in UK airspace, it’s English men who are overwhelmingly voted as perfect passenger, with over half the vote. Men from Wales were deemed the least favourite passengers amongst British travellers.

Seen by many as one of the most glamorous and desirable jobs, cabin crew are in the unique position to meet and greet people from all walks of life. However, with nearly 3 million people sitting in the sky every day, some regular habits and requests can understandably get under their skin more than others.

According to the survey, the biggest gripe for a quarter of cabin crew (26%) is passengers who click their fingers at them to get their attention. Other annoying habits at 30,000ft include the scramble to leave the plane before the seat belt signs are switched off (13%), passengers trying to cram too much hand baggage in the overhead lockers (11%) and one in ten say their pet peeve is when passengers talk through the safety demonstration, suggesting that many frequent flyers do not pay attention in spite of increasing requests by cabin staff to do to. Stuffing rubbish in the seat compartments (7%) also completed the list of cabin crew gripes.

Skyscanner’s Sam Poullain said: “This is the first time that we’ve surveyed international cabin crew and the findings give us a real insight into what they really think of passengers. It’s interesting to see that it’s the men who get the vote for the perfect passenger, and while many of us would love to travel business or first class, cabin crew prefer to work in economy.

“It must be frustrating for cabin crew when passengers try and cram as much hand baggage in the overhead locker as humanly possible, however carrying only hand luggage can save passengers quite a lot of money as the cost of putting baggage in the hold can be very expensive.”

The most annoying habits of air passengers
 

1.Clicking fingers to get your attention						26%
2.Leaving seat at the end before the light goes off						13%
3.Stuffing too many bags into overhead locker						11%
4.Complaining there’s no space for their bag in the locker						10%
5.Talking through the safety demo						9%
6.Asking for more blankets/pillows						8%
7.Stuffing rubbish in the seat pocket						7%
8.Asking for a different meal						6%
9.Ringing the attendant bell to complain about temperature						6%
10.Asking for a specific brand of drink						4%