Respectable hotel pairs have four crew, and do bow haul. They would not turn a lock on you intentionally - and if they had to do so in order to get the butty through a difficult lock, would ask first. However, they do work locks at a professional pace, with no hanging about. If you come across a hotel boat behaving in such a manner, I'd be obliged to know about it - there are standards to be kept up, and if they fall down on courtesy, they need to be asked to explain it in the cold light of day - a heated discussion on the spot is rarely helpful! >From my past experience of investigating such complaints, I have to say there are usually two sides to every story. Although they do not usually ask for special consideration, bear in mind that handling a pair of full length boats to a schedule is not the easiest task in the world.
Robin
