<<I have to say, though, that outside news reports I rarely hear
"tarmac".  It seems like to pilots, if it's a paved surface, it's either
a runway, a taxiway, or "the ramp.">>

Precisely my point. As to newsreaders, I know that when a TV station needs 
one, they call down to Newsreaders R Us where spares are hanging on hooks. Half 
a can of hairspray and they're ready to deliver.

Not all that English or European.

RLE

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