International, Frankfurt to BWI, late 50s, early 60s. Back then, I was wearing a uniform and I took the seat Uncle was willing to pay for. My usual choice was last row aisle. We took off, and the FA came along to ask why I was sitting way back there. My answer: "I'm going to be either first or last to be served, so I get the maximum undisturbed time; if you have any spare time during the flight, you'll probably spend it back here and we can get to know each other better; survivors." Sure enough, I was served first, she had a bunch of spare time and we did get to know each other better. Then, as we're about to land at BWI, the pilot comes on: "Folks, there's nothing to worry about, but I've got a little light up here that says we may have an engine fire. Nothing to worry about (again), but I'm going to ask the cabin crew to get you folks ready for an emergency, just in case. There'll be emergency equipment meeting us on the runway." We got the emergency evacuation lecture and then the crew started passing out pillows and blankets. My stew THREW one in my lap, then sat down across the aisle and said, "NOW I know why you want to sit back here!" We landed safely - no fire - and the "emergency equipment" that met us was a jeep with a fire extinguisher in the basck seat that we left a mile behind a couple of seconds after touching down.