The ST forum's really funny. I was reading this post, and it really brings out a very well-known and typical nature of Singaporeans too familiar to anybody who has tried to sell anything to one.
Insist on minimum service standards for budget airlines I WAS scheduled on Valuair flight VF 504 on July 12, leaving Jakarta at 5.05pm and reaching Singapore at 7.30pm.
I checked in at about 4pm and went to Gate D5. The gate was not open, and passengers (more than 100 of us) waited... and waited.
After almost an hour, there was an announcement that the flight was delayed to 8pm. We had to wait in the terminal with no food or drinks offered by the airline, despite complaints. I had to change more Singapore dollars to Indonesian rupiah to buy something to eat. When I complained, the reply was that Valuair was a budget airline and the terms were stated in the fare agreement.
When we returned at 8pm, we were directed to Gate D4 for boarding. Dinner was offered as the flight was further delayed. But some passengers were vegetarian and had to go hungry as there were no vegetarian meals. Again, it was a budget airline, so sorry, was the reply.
After waiting for two hours in the boarding gate area, with no information on when we would depart, the passengers got very cross. There was a total information blackout. I could accept flight delays, but not this. It was not until some passengers started screaming and yelling that an announcement was made at about 10.45pm. We were told that we were scheduled to leave Jakarta at 12.45am and reach Singapore at 2.30am.
After we boarded, there was a commotion about the number of passengers and the flight was further delayed, apparently because the cabin crew and ground crew could not count. It was downright unprofessional as they argued with each other with no regard for passengers who had already gone through so much.
After this was sorted out, we finally took off and landed in Singapore at 3.20am, another 50 minutes behind schedule. In total, the delay was almost eight hours.
No vouchers were offered for taxi fares. I felt that was the least the airline could do, considering what the passengers had gone through. After all, if the flight had been on time, we could have taken a bus or train home. My taxi fare (with midnight charges) was $37.80.
When I tried to complain to Valuair, I realised it was another ordeal. First, Valuair's Singapore office telephone number, according to its website, was not in use. I had to call 100 to obtain another number.
When I finally got to speak to a Valuair officer, I asked for an e-mail address so I could complain and claim reimbursement for my taxi fare, but I was told there was no e-mail address. Finally, I asked her if she would rather I write to the press and her reply implied 'Go ahead'.
Martin GohAre you kidding me Mr. Goh??????
1) you expect zero delays in budget airlines.
2) you expect a budget airline to provide you with food and drinks in an occasion of a delay.
3) you expect a budget airline to have vegetarian meal. you want low-fat meal, non-lactose meal and low carbo meal also?
4) you expect a budget airline to compensate you taxi fare after a delay??????
5) What more you want? Chio stewardesses? Free flow alcohol? Full flat bed? 15.4 inch LCD wide screen?
Insist on minimum service standards for budget airlinesI WAS scheduled on Cheapoair flight CP666 on July 12, leaving Jakarta at 5.05pm and reaching Singapore at 7.30pm.
Not only the flight was delayed. Non of the stewardess looked chio like those i saw on VS runway. I think the airline should maintain its own image by hiring stewardesses who are pleasing to the eye. Not only they were unpretty, they were also very unprofessional. When i asked for bourbon coke, the stewardess replied curtly that there were non. What happened to customer service?
Also, the menu onboard was disappointing. I was hoping to get a lobster meal onboard, yet we were only offered sandwiches? This was not helped by the fact that we were all hungry from the long delay. How can anyone have a satisfying meal with merely sandwiches?
I attempted to contact the Singapore office to complain, but later found out that a complaint department is non-existent!! This is preposterous! At least what they could do is to offer me a voucher to make up for the horrible in flight experience!
Mr. want cheap-and-good aka i ask for it
Labels: current affairs, rubbish
