Scott forgets his glasses
Scott had recently begun wearing glasses but arrived at work without them.
Listeners advised him to leave a spare pair in the studio or attach them to a chain around his neck.
He initially resisted the chain, although he admitted that forgetting the glasses was entirely consistent with his personality.
At one point, he dropped his phone and said he could not see it properly because he was not wearing them.
Are you in?
Listeners continued testing Radio 2’s new WhatsApp number.
Scott confirmed message after message from people asking: “Am I in?”
Terry the Decorator had sent ten separate messages, while one listener attempted to order a pizza.
Scott eventually repeated the full number slowly and suggested that anyone whose message had appeared on his screen could safely assume they had succeeded.
The Birthday Game: Claire
Claire was nominated by her partner Gary, who was away working on her 51st birthday.
She worked as a home carer in Rhyl and had been a devoted Duran Duran fan as a teenager, although she remembered the group’s official fan club offering poor value for money.
Claire shared her birthday with Andrew Ridgeley, José Mourinho and Anita Baker.
Her first Birthday Game spin was George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord, number one in 1971. She rejected it quickly.
The second was Kylie Minogue’s Tears on My Pillow, number one in 1990. Scott warned her not to rush, but she immediately asked for the final spin.
Her compulsory third song was Blur’s Beetlebum, number one in 1997.
Claire described it as perfect, completing a successful three-spin gamble.
The chocolate upgrade trick
Scott investigated an online claim that passengers could secure a flight upgrade by taking a bar of triangular chocolate for the cabin crew.
Chelsea had tested the idea on several long-haul flights.
When the triangular chocolate was unavailable, she bought a normal bar and a bag of sweets. A member of the crew looked pleased, then returned to ask whether Chelsea was also cabin crew.
Chelsea panicked and said she had friends in the profession. She received no upgrade and not even an extra bottle of wine.
Her boyfriend tried again on the next flight without success.
Chelsea later offered coffee gift cards after a crew member suggested they would be appreciated. That attempt also failed, although she remained determined to continue experimenting.
What actually works?
A serving cabin-crew member told Scott that gifts would not persuade the crew to move somebody into a more expensive cabin.
Upgrades were normally controlled at the gate or linked to operational requirements rather than decided by flight attendants during boarding.
Looking smart would not help either, and crew members were unlikely to move someone simply because they admired their trousers.
Other listeners reported more successful experiences.
Lorraine said she and her companion had offered hand cream and were upgraded.
One passenger was moved after breaking his leg, while another believed a check-in worker fancied him.
A couple travelling to Jamaica for their wedding received an upgrade after mentioning the occasion at check-in.
Scott warned listeners not to invent a wedding purely to obtain better seats.
Handover
Scott handed over to Sara Cox after concluding that chocolate was a kind gesture but not a reliable route into first class.
COMMENTS