12 MARCH 1988, Page 23

Tighten seat-belts

TIMES are getting harder at Lloyd's of London, where globe-flying brokers have found themselves demoted — from their accustomed first class, right down to busi- ness class. Over a glass of champagne in the Fenchurch Colony, an intrepid bird- man has been telling of the experience. 'Jolly exciting', he says staunchly. 'Do you know, I could see the wings?'