British rock star Elton John discovered the aeroplane he was due to fly on was in an upside-down position on the runway at Heathrow Airport London. The iconic rock ‘n’ roll veteran said:
I arrived at the airport and I could see my plane was upside-down on the tarmac.
I asked the guy behind the airport reception desk:
‘What’s our plane doing upside-down?’
‘It’s not doing anything,’ he said.
‘In fact, the verb “doing” is not applicable to this beleaguered aeroplane. I would not use the word ‘doing’ to describe this inert, belly-up, non-asset to the commercial aviation industry at all.
‘Its inability to perform its intended function, due to its unconventional placement upon the runway, renders it redundant for the foreseeable future, so “doing” is not on the agenda.’
Indeed, “doing” implies a form of activity, a purposeful act, an action, a deed, and I’m afraid this once marvel of modern engineering has seemingly capitulated, strongly indicated by its current position.
‘I would therefore anticipate a non-doing display and an imminent delay, nullifying the expectations of the inconvenienced passengers who will now have to re-schedule their plans accordingly.
‘This figures strongly in the slim to zero odds I can offer you of ever travelling on that plane, my dear sir.’
I asked him again, ‘But why is our plane upside-down?’
He replied, ‘Don’t ask me, I’m just the airport cleaner!’
Image attribution:
https://pixabay.com/en/airplane-aircraft-airport-sunrise-3149285/