Some years ago I flew from Cairo to Brussels in C-Class on a 767. Boarding was delayed at the bus gate for unknown reasons. When we finally got on the bus, C-Class was last to board. Upon entry to the plane, it was obvious that the forward lavatory was broken and leaking undefined fluids (urine and something else) onto the floor. We were then told that the automated refueling system was broken, and the plane would be manually fueled. (I didn't have the courage to look out on the wing to see if Achmed was bringing up buckets of fuel to the wing). The purser noticed my concern, and told me not to worry, the plance was old but the engines were new. The last person to board was a mechanic in a red jump suit - I thought he was coming to fix the lavatory since he had a tool box with him. No, the purser told me a mechanic flies along to fix whatever breaks during the flight.

To top it all off, no alcohol, even though Egypt is a secular country. And finally, the "priority" bags from C-Class were the last to arrive, even though I had tendered necessary baksheesh to the 10 people that touched my bags. I am grateful that I survived this experience...