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In my experience some want a cover letter, some don't.  It's called a pain letter in America and I can understand why.

With online applications the successful applicants use the "keywords" for the role.  I've seen online job descriptions with all the keywords in bold so included them in applications but still didn't get an interview.  Talking to a recruiter at a well-known consultancy recently she agreed that it didn't matter whether you applied through a site like TotalJobs (others are available) or direct to the company, the outcome could be the same.  

At the end of the day, I supposed it's down to whoever is screening the applications and how much they know/want to know about the applicant's suitability.

Surprisingly, no!

Sorry a bit sarcastic there but in my experiences it's very rare to get any response to an application.  I've got Plans B, C & D in place and recent encounters with the recruitment process, through websites or the employer direct, have shown that companies often can't be bothered to respond.  Others post "if you haven't heard from us in x days, your application has been unsuccessful".  At least you know where you are.

Not to mention the poor e-mail responses.  I recently applied to a local private hospital.  When they finally told me I hadn't got an interview, the e-mail was shocking.  No subject, no greeting, role title hadn't been inserted into text (just a gap between brackets) and no signature block at the end.  I flirted with replying they needed me to improve their admin standards, but I couldn't be bothered.  Then there's the HR person who calls after reading your CV, proceeds to read their job description then starts asking you questions but obviously doesn't know what you are talking about.

The recruitment process, especially online, is discussed at great length on LinkedIn.  I was sceptical about the reports being true, but it seems the UK is just as bad as the US.   When recruiters report back to applicants they get a wide variety of reactions.  One applicant to a UK company, when told he had been unsuccessful, responded "screw you".  Nice!!

There was a suggestion that the ban would be extended to all flights from UK and Europe to the US.  Thankfully, it hasn't happened.

Some concerns have been raised.  By putting a laptop or similar device in the aircraft hold, a bomb could still be detonated by a passenger via their mobile 'phone (not subject to the same restriction).  Smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishers have been fitted to aircraft holds, but there are probably some airlines who haven't done this.  Also there's the lithium battery problem, a number of which have caught fire in the aircraft cabin, so would they behave any differently in the hold.  

The majority of flight deck crew now use ipads/tablets for their flight plans and airfield charts, eradicating the need for loads of paper in the cockpit.  The A380 is paperless, an onboard server also contains all the checklists needed by the crew.  Tablets are also used by cabin crew to replace the old paper manifest, so one tap of the screen will show who wants the veggie meal.  

Wonder how long it will be before Mr Trump tires of this and moves on to something else.......

Be careful! We're not all the same in that age group, thankfully.....  I don't know why old people think they have a divine right to be rude.  Also can't understand why they revert to child-like behaviour.  An ex-colleague used to refer to her elderly parents as "the kids".  I thought this reference was to her nieces/nephews, but no and I understand exactly where she's coming from.  In the days when workers had to do their shopping on a Saturday, there was frustration around supermarkets being full of mobile pensioners who had all week to shop.   A friend was told by a nurse that the majority of people don't become nasty/ill-mannered when they become old or infirm, they've usually been like it all their lives.

One good reason why I won't fly Ryanair is their inability to handle rowdy passengers.

Jet2 is taking the lead with alcohol restrictions.  Unfortunately, cabin crew income is supplemented by on-board sales but airlines really do have to take this more seriously.  

Perhaps they stow them in the toilet, along with the bread rolls!  Can't remember which airline that was; the rolls were individually wrapped in a large plastic bag, but....... 

Suitably admonished 

Know the basics, but always good to get proper training.

Very sad.  However media reports suggest that she stood up during the ride to change places with someone.   The official report will give the cause and any action that needs to be taken by Drayton Manor.  

United recently settled with Dr Dao.  Undisclosed sum, which makes me wonder if they had the nerve to ask for the amount to be kept secret.  CEO's employment contract has now been amended and he can no longer expect to be appointed Chairman when the present incumbent leaves.

Then there was the incident of the rabbit that died in flight.  UK owners who were selling to a US customer said it was okay before loading onto flight.  Although they wanted the animal equivalent on an autopsy, I have read that the rabbit was cremated by United.   Rabbits can be easily spooked so it could have reacted to a noise, or someone turned off the heating in the cargo hold.  

American also displayed some great customer service skills recently.  However, why a passenger thought she could take her twin buggy onto the aircraft is beyond me.  Travelling alone with twin toddlers and trying to wheel a collapsible buggy along an aircraft aisle is impossible....

I must be attracting them!

Last Friday was in Iceland minding my own business when loud mouthed pensioner wanted to pay at till but assistant was helping colleague stack freezers.  Instead of walking over and asking politely, he shouted something obtuse like "you saw me coming and went to hide".  I was now standing next to assistant who muttered a "friendly greeting" and went off to serve him.  

Ten minutes later, I was ready to pay so unloaded basket.  I commented to assistant about his attitude.  She then apologised to me for comments as she realised I had heard her.  Apparently he's been behaving this way for 10+ years!

Cue yesterday morning in local Co-op.  Newspaper I wanted had arrived without supplements.  Four or five irate customers harassing assistants although it was not their fault.  Rather than get involved and give the complaining customers a lesson in how to be polite, I got back in car and headed for Tesco Express.....