What the world needs now
During all stages of air travel, announcements are profusely peppered with the phrase "at this time":
"At this time we would like to welcome passengers in group B to board."
"Anyone not wishing to ride in an exit row, we ask that you notify a flight attendant for reseating at this time."
"At this time all electronic devices must be powered off."
"We have run out of coffee at this time, but would request at this time that all rioting at this time be conducted with your seat belts securely fastened, at this time. And also at this time. And... at this time too."
Why the emphasis on the ephemerality of the request? Is it to make draconian measures of crowd control seem more palatable? To soften the insanity by implying that anything that happens in air travel is inherently a temporary situation, and therefore that much more forgivable? Or do they seriously have that many passengers who respond to a firm "Please fasten your seat belt, sir" with a befuddled "but WHEN??" or by saying they'd be happy to do it next Tuesday?
"At this time we would like to welcome passengers in group B to board."
"Anyone not wishing to ride in an exit row, we ask that you notify a flight attendant for reseating at this time."
"At this time all electronic devices must be powered off."
"We have run out of coffee at this time, but would request at this time that all rioting at this time be conducted with your seat belts securely fastened, at this time. And also at this time. And... at this time too."
Why the emphasis on the ephemerality of the request? Is it to make draconian measures of crowd control seem more palatable? To soften the insanity by implying that anything that happens in air travel is inherently a temporary situation, and therefore that much more forgivable? Or do they seriously have that many passengers who respond to a firm "Please fasten your seat belt, sir" with a befuddled "but WHEN??" or by saying they'd be happy to do it next Tuesday?