Q. A friend who invited me to stay for a
few days in France has told me I can get a lift in the plane of one of the other guests. I am a nervous flyer at the best of times and particularly nervous at the thought that the plane-owner, whom I do not know well but who has an aura of recklessness about him, might be at the wheel. How can I delicately find out whether it will be he or a proper pilot with braid on his shoulders? Should the former be the case and my destiny be in the hands of the plane's owner, I would rather go No Frills but No Kills.
K.L., Wantage, Oxfordshire
A. Ring up the hospitable plane-owner to thank him for his offer and to get details of departure times, et cetera. Then say, 'Congratulations! I didn't know you had a
pilot's licence!' He may well reply, 'Oh, I won't be flying myself We'll have a couple of pilots taking us down there.' If he confirms your worst suspicions, ring back an hour later to announce that sadly you have looked at your diary and will have to travel separately.
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