Already I'm running a little behind but first off, let me bring you all upto date with the journey which took us from Newcastle to san francisco via Amsterdam and Minneapolis. Most of us were really struck by the enhanced security at Amsterdam and I was somewhat surprised when a security man thrust his hands into my boxers during a search. I'm really not sure which one us was the more surprised. Anyway, onto the flights and the Northwestern Airways crew that took us from Amsterdam seemed rather 'anti-steward'. First off we had Patty, the rather fabulous all American who adorned her uniform with American flag inspired badges and a rather prominant anti-Osama Bin Laden badge. Not the type of thing you see on BA. Then we had another interesting lady who hobbled about the plane struggling and bobbing her head around like one of those old football (should I say soccer?) rattles. Why am I telling you all this? Well, usually we have the young and glamerous who still largely domiante our airlines. Far from being 'mumsy' (and we're not talking MILF's here) most stewardesses seem highly gendered and sexualised. The camp male steward is a sterotype, but one rooted in the experiences of many. The Northwestern sewards reallly challenged those traditional conceptions. No stewards strutting like peacocks with them. Lovely folks though they be.