Happens to me all the time. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Amen! Of course I think (actually I know) I would feel more sorry for the South American stranded in NYC than the New Yorker stranded in Brazil. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If I have got to be loney, scared and possibley dieing from one thing or another and get to choose where it happens, NYC is at the bottom of the list. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I like the ruler and DMT sharpener... if you survive the wreck, you can make yourself a pretty functional knife, and the metal pen doubles as a push point, great ideas, thanks <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

I'd bring a pad of graph paper, with some engineering drawings on the top sheet to make it more plausible to have a ruler with you.

Now that's smart. I like that. I have to think in terms of looking plausible. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd be inclined to tell them I am a nun (In drag dressed as a man.) and schoolteacher and that they better not touch my ruler if they know what's good for them. Even if the inspector isn't Catholic, they will listen.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, but you probably look intimidating. I'm tall, thin, and geeky. Anything but intimidating. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

At 5-foot-11-inches and 140 pounds, if I turn sideways I vanish. Also, I'm very nearsighted and am 43 now, so my glasses have bifocals. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Good thing is, I look very non-threatening. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Would be nice to look intimidating just once, however. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Craig:

I get the impression that you have never heard about school teaching nuns.

Size don't matter!

Looks don't matter!

Wheather they smile, speak in a soft voice, or say "please" and "thank you" don't matter!

If she is a nun and a school teacher, and she controls a ruler, your butt is grass, and she is the lawnmower!

I have heard this many times from my Catholic friends who attended Catholic schools.

Bountyhunter

I have heard about it. Never experienced it.

bountyhunter:

Sounds like you're describing a terrorrist.