Why is is PAX not PAS?
 

Just wondering really why is it that passenger(s) is abbreviated to PAX rather than PAS by BA (and others)

Is it to avoid confusion with S and 5?

I honestly haven't a clue but maybe it's the same reason it's tix not tick?

According to Wikipedia: Abbreviation of passenger. X is an abbreviation marker as in DX, TX and canx.

bjorns

I think PAX is a standard abbrevation in the travel industry for a client/passenger/guest etc.

When I was a tour guide many years ago for a British company in China, everything was "pax this" and "pax that". Before long, I wasn't talking to colleagues about "the person", but "the pax".

e.g. "The pax on my last tour were a right nightmare".

Probably the Military are to blame ... they love obscure abbreviations

I understand WHAT it means just wondering why it is PAX not PAS, why has the X been brought in?

Any linguists (cunning or otherwise) out there?

It's from the not terribly accurate Latin

Populo amentes extremis

There was a debate as to whether it would be more accurate to be CIS (Conscensis impedimenta sui) but I suppose the cabin crew one out on this one.

Hoc est iocus

The same reason why it is LAX and not LAS!

Which is :(

Interesting - considering EXTREMIS has a 'S' in it, whilst I accept your answer it doesn't make any sense to me!

That doesn't explain why LAS is LAS then!

I was trying to work in the "x" into the phase and that is the only thing I could think of, very bad Latin of course. But not to be taken seriously.

"Xmas" springs to mind as another "X" abbreviation, which I personally abhor ;)

:confused:

LAX is LAX.

and LAS is LAS.

and YVR YVR. :D

Oh, no, not the strange Canadian codes discussion again!