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Buttercawan,  can you recommend some massage places in Sao Paulo?  Also do the massage guys get nude and the massage terminates with a "happy ending"?   What are Dedalos and Chili?  Bars with program guys?

Looking at the photo in my earlier post, it is clear that the fuel cut off switches are very close to the engine throttles. As we know each fuel cut off switch requires two separate actions -a pull out locking device and then a move down.  We know from the USFAA SAIB notice in 2018 that some 737s had been delivered with the locking device disengaged. The advisory note provided to airlines was simply that: note it and take action. But it was not mandatory. The switch designs on the 787 are identical to those on the 737 and it is not known if the locking device was in fact operational on the doomed 787. If not, then even accidentally brushing the switches with simple hand movements would be enough to activate the cut off. To me that seems simple. But it fails to take into account that there is no record of such accidental touches had happened on take-off before. It also assumes the cut off switch was in fact disengaged. Additionally, when taking off, for full power the thrust levers are pushed forwards, not backwards. Accidentally touching the fuel supply switches would be extremely unlikely. But then there is concern that the aircraft was fitted with a computerised autothrottle device. To my understanding, this means pilots input the desired flight parameters including engine thrust. The computer then ensures that thrust management provides optimal engine thrust under varying flight conditions. Thus at take-off, the computer effectively takes control ensuring that the pilot flying does not require his hands on the thrust levers shortly after the aircraft leaves the ground. What a hand does thereafter is up to the pilot flying. It is known that this autothrottle computer programme caused issues with the 787 fleet on October 23 2024 when the FAA issued a mandatory Airworthiness Directive for all 787s. This gave airlines 6 months to correct safety concerns related to "erroneous autothrottle behaviour". The Directive continues -   "The directive was prompted by incidents where the autothrottle system exhibited erroneous behavior during critical flight phases such as balked landings, with the system failing to properly adjust thrust levels. Additionally, the low range radio altimeter (LRRA) has shown potential for erroneous readings, which can lead to inadequate airspeed protections. These issues could result in unsafe conditions, including runway overruns or controlled flight into terrain." We have no idea if Air India had acted on the Directive. Even so, we also do not know if such an action would automatically push the autothrottle switches downwards.    There is also the fact that on the flight from Delhi to Ahmadabad this 787 was beset by several internal electrical problems. Passengers sat on the ground with the doors shut for more than 15 minutes with no air conditioning despite intense heat. The in-flight entertaiment system did not work. Passenger lighting and the crew call buttons did not work. As the passenger who took the video said "Nothing is working!" Often on the ground, the a/c will be supplied by an external power unit. But that is disconnected around five minutes prior to push-back when the engines are started. Even then, as this aircraft was taxiing the on board a/c was still not working. Was there perhaps a greater electrical problem that came to affect the aircraft on the second leg of the flight to London. More speculation. https://www.aviacionline.com/faa-issues-airworthiness-directive-for-boeing-787-dreamliners-due-to-autothrottle-and-radio-altimeter-issues   

I might be a minority opinion here but I personally don't like Agate anymore, thin walls and families staying there have made my last few stays less enjoyable. I do like Poseidon and East Suites, I'm yet to stay at The Venue  or Zing. I'll second Classrooms and Copa for Boyztown. No issue at any of the above for guests. Classrooms has an entrance beside the bar where you bypass the bar and can go straight up to your room, the rest that i've stayed at will hold the guests ID.

I spend the majority of my Thailand 2/3 week trips in Pattaya and in recent years I’ve stayed within Jomtien Supertown (The Complex), which has now deposed Boystown as the premier gay area. The Agate would be a good choice and it’s becoming more popular so don’t wait too long before making your reservation. Its main competitor, in Supertown, is the Zing Resort which is cheaper and has a variety of room sizes and a larger pool . Both are guest friendly and well known to the bar boys and as a single gay guest I’ve occasionally found friends amongst the other residents.  Supertown is walking distance from the Jomtien airport bus terminal which can be also convenient for transport to Bangkok city . I prefer the bus to taxis for safety reasons, and only use motor cycle taxis when speed is required and would not rent a motor cycle which I used to do years ago. Always have safety in the forefront of your mind especially in unfamiliar settings !

cheaper and still comfortable options in Jomtien Complex is The Venue and Zing Resort, both in complex itself. Getting from Boyztown to Jomtien is no problem day or night, Bolt, motorsai or baht bus , all available.  If you want to stay in Boyztown area I suggest Classrooms above ABomb boy bar or Copa in Boyztown proper. No issue with guests in all hotels mentioned in all posts of this thread so far, speaking from personal experience.