October 27, 2007

A pilot's advice
I read the article ("Mystery shrouds death of child in plane", Gulf News, October 22). I am an experienced long-term professional pilot with a background as paramedic. To all parents with children out there - the pressure difference is only an issue during the descent of the aircraft, not only for babies but also for anyone. Swallow a lot to prevent feeling pain in your ear. Give babies water from a bottle or their milk during the descent. For anyone else chew a chewing gum or simply yawn actively. This will open the eardrums and equalise the pressure on the inside and outside of the ears. And the most important thing for a baby is the supply of water. Dehydration is far more dangerous for young children. This is very important on long flights.
From Mr Axel Fabeck
UAE

Scary flight
I was on a flight from Sydney and strangely enough there was another case where a baby almost died in mid-air. I witnessed the whole scene and it was scary. The baby was clearly affected by the cabin pressure.
From Mr Conrad Egbert
Dubai

Plane pain
It is surprising that nobody seems to know the cause of the child's death. I have experienced excruciating pain inside the ears and sinuses as a result of cabin pressure.

However, by keeping the jaws moving vigorously during lift-off and landing, one can ensure that the ear passages are kept open, so that no air is trapped inside.
From Mr S.R. Raghavan
Abu Dhabi

Disrespectful
On my way home from school runs, I decided to let a school bus cut in front of me. I regretted doing that because the children at the back of the bus started going wild. Their gestures became rude and obscene. I found it difficult to explain to my children why they were doing that!
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Ban the smoke!
I am with anything that bans smoking ("Shisha cafes face a hazy future", Gulf News, October 22). I have had so many debates with friends who call us all the time "to meet over a shisha"! But this rule should be good. I think families with children should not be allowed to enter such places. Those who still prefer to smoke go ahead but children should not be exposed to such fumes.
From Ms Razia
Dubai
Website comment

Stop shishas
It is absolutely preposterous to ban smoking while turning a blind eye to shisha. My family and I and friends refrained from frequenting Ramadan tents and restaurants offering shisha because of the suffocating tobacco stench that not only pervades every nook and corner of the tent and restaurant but also the neighbouring restaurants, stores and streets. I hope some common sense prevails!
From Mr Elias
Dubai
Website comment

Not fair
I completely agree with the comments voiced in the report ("Businesses lash out at residency cap proposal", Gulf News, October 23). It will not be professional if we tell someone after working for six hard years, looking forward to growing and improving, that the authorities do not think that he is worth the hassle to be retained! That is not fair to the employee and the company.
From Mr Behin
Dubai
Website comment

Expensive
This could be a major problem for all companies because when the new labourer comes in, the companies have to train them for a minimum of two months. This will be a huge financial loss to the companies.
From Mr Abdul
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

No gain
I fail to comprehend how the government is going to gain by imposing the residency cap. It is very clear that businesses will be affected.
From Mr Raj
Fujairah
Website comment

Work permit
The government should either stop hiring expatriate workers or allow them a lifetime work permit. Unskilled workers who receive low wages cannot be expected to stay in Gulf countries for six years or more. I have seen people deciding to move back to their home countries.
From Mr Mohammad
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Illegal calls
People and internet cafe owners are not aware that it is illegal to call using prepaid cards through the computer ("Web cafes in phone card racket closed", Gulf News, October 23). The telecom authority should provide a list of illegal internet uses to cyber cafe owners and internet users in the UAE.
From Mr Omer
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Bravo motorists
Recently, the National Paints roundabout in Sharjah was gridlocked. There were no police to control the chaos. Bravo to the three motorists who selflessly got out of their cars and regulated the traffic for nearly half an hour, thereby freeing the traffic.
From Ms Wajid Afridi
Dubai

Answering machines
The present system of answering machines in offices is not very convenient. When we call, we expect to get a reply immediately but instead have to wait patiently and go through many steps to get the required answer. Even if technology has improved, the place of human beings cannot be taken.
From Mr John Eapen
Dubai