Sideswipe

Paeroa has more than a big soft-drink bottle to crow about - especially when this motorcycle race is likely to turn many Western Springs fans green with envy.

A reader writes: "Three weeks ago, I booked a ticket with Qantas from Wellington to Auckland for 6pm on Saturday, February 12. Today, I received a phonecall notifying of a 'schedule change' - the 6pm flight had been cancelled by Qantas - for 'mechanical problems' (10 days before it is due to depart?), and I had the option of a 4.30pm or 7.30pm flight instead. Unfortunately, as is often the case with travellers, I had fixed commitments scheduled round the flight I had originally booked. Qantas offered to refund my fare and suggested I rebook on an Air New Zealand flight departing closer to the time of my original flight, at my own cost. While the additional cost is only $20, I objected in principle to having to pay this myself. Surely where Qantas decides it is not profitable to run a flight, and is unable to offer a viable alternative, someone in customer care could make an executive decision to absorb the $20 incremental cost of paying someone else to provide the service for it! As I said to the Qantas customer care representative, who said it was 'company policy' not to budge on this issue but was happy to write up a report telling management I didn't like the policy, for the sake of $20, Qantas has permanently lost a customer who flies more than 60,000km a year."

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A reader writes: "A slogan idea for Don Brash and the National Party's election campaign: Hubba hubba hubba, wear a rubba or adopt out your bubba."

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Matthew Crawford writes: "Without a hint of irony, a snazzy Princes Wharf restaurant's outdoor blackboard declares 'Happy Anniversary Day! 20 per cent surcharge applies'. A few doors up, another eatery's blackboard reads: 'No extra charges!' Where would you rather eat? It seems some proprietors won't let us forget they are still peeved that New Zealand workers are entitled to a little extra pay for giving up their public holidays. I suggest these mean-spirited owners swallow their petulance and cover their extra labour costs in their day-to-day prices. If not, I'll continue to make my holidays 20 per cent happier at the restaurant next door."

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The Israeli Parliament is considering a bill that would require fashion models to obtain licences before they can work. The bill would demand that aspiring models be examined by a Government doctor. Those deemed to have a healthy weight would qualify for a licence. Those who are too thin would be given nutritional advice and allowed two months to put on weight. Source: Reason.com

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Bruce Ringer from Manurewa suggests Ivy Bennett's problems with her neighbour are all her own doing. "Rather than writing snivelling letters to the newspaper, Ivy Bennett should get off her butt and soundproof the pump. Problem solved! I'm not sure why Sideswipe makes it its mission to encourage moral imbecility."

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Coca-Cola's campaign slogan in 1893?: "The Ideal Brain Tonic".