MAS unions in route appeal

I am upset to say the least after reading the Business Times of 27 July 2007 article on MAS unions appealing to the authorities to postpone the opening up of the lucrative Kuala Lumpur Singapore route.

As a consumer, I would have thought Air Asia request for just two flights daily quite reasonable. The argument that Tiger Airways from Singapore would also have to be given the same rights and consequently diverting business to Changi is neither here nor there.

As if no one realised that Changi is well ahead of its competitors in the regional air hub stakes not through a mollycoddle approach from the higher-ups. But through liberalisation and a forward looking attitude. That comes from their geographical position as well as their commitment to excellence. Just look at how they have jumped on the bandwagon of low cost budget carriers. If we do not support our home grown idea, we'll be left behind, with or without protection, sooner or later.

We need a big dose of local rationalisation. We should not be afraid of competition, but rise up to the challenge. No amount of postponement will help the national carrier if a lackadaisical attitude is prevalent among the work force. The same goes to the departments linked to the industry – tourism, immigration, customs etc. If we want to be number one, everyone must put in their two cents worth into the effort.

Kudos to Air Asia crew

I was pleasantly surprised that my flight on AK880 to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur on 25^th July 2007 threw up another side of Air Asia after the countless brickbats hurled against them. I'm glad that some of the air crew attached to Air Asia went beyond their usual scope of work. I guess it was just a part of their job to help a passenger feel as comfortable as she can.

A lady was complaining of being uncomfortable about half an hour before we landed in Bangkok. Most probably it was brought on by the air pressure sickness syndrome. But nevertheless the air crew did their utmost best to find a remedy for the lady despite the limited resources on board. I think she did not suffer from the usual air pressure malady but the condition was worsened by some other complications. Her past medical history perhaps since I heard the stewardess asking when was the last time she took her medication. I could see the desperate look of helplessness on the passenger's face as she put herself entirely into the stewardesses hands.

But all went well, and a two thumbs up must be given to the four crew members that day. All the best to Air Asia.

Silence

This letter from a reader appeared in the Star of 18 July 2007.

'Pampered wheelchair service by Thai AirAsia

I REFER to the report “Protest held against AirAsia” (The Star, July 16).

I recently flew AirAsia from Penang to Bangkok to Phuket returning via the same route with my elderly parents.

I want your public to know that AirAsia has two completely different levels of service with regard to the chargeable request for wheelchair assistance.

In Malaysia, served by AirAsia, assistance is purely the provision of a wheelchair for passenger use. No further assistance is offered for the princely sum of RM12.

Getting to/from the aircraft is entirely on your own. Not too clever if the disabled person is travelling alone.

In Thailand, served by Thai AirAsia, provision of assistance is one Thai AirAsia person accompanying the passenger throughout, including entrance/exit via diplomatic immigration gates, use of airport lifts, priority boarding and transportation to/from aircraft in Thai AirAsia van.

On boarding, we got seats second row from entrance, so walking was minimum.

The only snag was having to climb up/down the steps because AirAsia cannot afford Skybridges.

The Thai AirAsia person then accompanied us to the taxi and ensured the driver was fully aware where we had to go. All for the princely sum of 120 Thai baht, which coincidentally equates to RM12.

If one has to pay for this sort of service, how much do you think that level of service is worth?

If this sort of discrimination exists in Europe, AirAsia would be the subject of the EU Court of Human Rights investigation.

Perhaps it’s the Thai nature of respect for the elderly and disabled that standards differ so drastically.

I think in Malaysia these people are often despised simply for what they are.

Let us all accept that we all will grow old for sure, and I hope that AirAsia executives reading this will have the pleasure of exactly the same treatment on airlines when their time is up.

K. YEOH,

Essex, England.'

It has been nearly a week since this letter was published. No wonder I go up north as often as I can. Malaysians just do not have it, well some Malaysians anyway. That extra bit of helping others who are less fortunate than us. Business is business of course, but does that preclude a bit of humanity?