Please read this rather epic story on Consumerist about Continental Airlines Flight 1970 (but not while you’re eating). The Dana featured in the story was one of my travel companions to Amsterdam. And, man, am I glad I left a couple of days before her.* Dana’s own, much longer version of the story can be found at her website.

*My flights were on British Airways and extremely uneventful. BTW, Heathrow: your security policies are especially ass-backwards. You make Toronto Pearson look classy.