01 March 08

The File

The File

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Local knowledge

We love birthdays here at Ryanair Magazine – who doesn’t? In countries like the UK it’s traditional when you go out for a birthday dinner or drinks that all your friends club together and pay for you (as well as themselves), a gift as it were. But in many countries, like the Netherlands for example, it’s the other way around. Since it’s YOUR birthday YOU pay! You are giving the celebration so do it in style. It sort of makes sense but of course it relies upon the fact that everyone else will actually celebrate their birthdays too and you will be invited to partake in the merriment at their expense – if you care about reciprocity that is!

Oh Carolina

Ok, ok we can see gorgeous Carolina from Olsztyn in Poland is good with a hose but she’s one of Ryanair’s most helpful cabin crew too. Our 27-year-old March calendar girl is all about fun, fun, fun. Her favourite Ryanair destinations are Palermo – for the beaches – and Barcelona for its “food, climate, people and the busy Ramblas”. She also keeps getting asked silly questions by passengers: “One asked me once if there was a toilet on the plane! How funny is that!” Funny indeed, Carolina. Thanks for being our calendar girl and doing such a fantastic job!

Travel Tips ...

1. Have your keys, loose change, and other metal objects in your jacket pocket or briefcase prior to getting to the security queue. It saves time for everyone if you’re not fussing around getting these items out of pockets and into the tray. It’s amazing how often queues are forced to a standstill while someone spends time searching his pockets (and it’s usually a man!) CHRISTOPHER WHITTALL, UK
2. When travelling with young children who always want to know “how much further until we get there?”, instead of saying, “three hours” (time being a concept not usually understood by kids), try saying: “We started at your nose, and we’re going to your toes. Right now we’re at your knees.” It gives parents a fun way to help the kids know how the trip is passing. GIB WOOD, GERMANY

Personal disorganiser

1. Sensors on the ribs detect degree of humidity
2. After one minute of non-rain, signal is transmitted to mini piezo speaker.		3. Message on a loop:"The rian has now stopped. Please close your umbrella. The rain has now stopped. Please close your umbrella."

The Market: 500 million umbrellas sold worldwide (05-06)

Worldwide rainfall (annual average):  6,500,000,000,000mm

The target:  Tourists who don't notice it has stopped raining, thus needlessly holding up their umbrella

Growing the market:  Umbrella could feature other messages e.g."It's really chucking it down today", "Will it ever stop?" or "Thank God you brought your talking umbrella