Air Asia Rant - Page 6 - Ajarn Forum

Big Bill · 12th February 2008, 20:59

Last February, I arrived from Syd-BKK on SQ. I was told that I would never clear Immi/Passport in time to get the last AA flight to Chiang Mai, and would have to stay the night in Bangers, and get the 1st flight to CM in the morning, and so booked it. When I cleared customs, I saw that the last AA flight to CM was delayed. I went to the service desk, and had to pay 800 Baht to change my morning flight to this one.
Then I went to the check in counter, and had to pay 1700 baht excess baggage-I told them I had flown in international, but they said the flight was full, so excess weight=excess fuel.
Then I waited-more delays and cold Burger King.
Then we finally board at 1am, and...........the plane is half full! Excess baggage charges-my arse! The plane took off way above maximum weight!

phuketbound · 12th February 2008, 21:20

^ I must say, that I am surprised that LDMA has started the thread, when I thought I did?

Big Bill · 12th February 2008, 21:23

PB, I am always up for a chat, whether it be you, or LDMA! Much rather you my friend-but LDMA is a good bloke!

LDMA · 12th February 2008, 21:23

I started one first then merged it with yours since we're singing from the same hymn sheet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Bill

cold Burger King

Yeah, I've had that...as if it means we forgive them for a three hour delay...piss off!

tomcat · 12th February 2008, 21:32

Peter: I have a disabled brother who, thanks to US federal and state law, is able to conduct his business affairs in a fairly normal manner. Moving outside North America and possibly Europe, however, and predictably in the Third World, I see few places my brother could visit conveniently. I think your efforts are laudable and, even if they don't bear immediate fruit, may still nudge societies, companies, and individuals to do the right thing.

Big Bill · 12th February 2008, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcat

Peter: I have a disabled brother who, thanks to US federal and state law, is able to conduct his business affairs in a fairly normal manner. Moving outside North America and possibly Europe, however, and predictably in the Third World, I see few places my brother could visit conveniently. I think your efforts are laudable and, even if they don't bear immediate fruit, may still nudge societies, companies, and individuals to do the right thing.

TC, Australia is super disabled friendly! Everywhere you go are ramps, lifts, bars, poles, you name it! Your brother would wizz his way around there!

phuketbound · 12th February 2008, 21:48

^Canada is the same way, BigBill. In fact, my cousin who has MD, wanted to go to a particular high school, and they didn't have ramps. Him and his family fought hard to get it wheelchair accessible. They won, after a long, hard battle.

---

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDMA

I started one first then merged it with yours since we're singing from the same hymn sheet.

Ahh, okay I thought I was going crazy for a minute.

LDMA · 13th February 2008, 08:16

You probably are but not because of this thread...

i1der · 13th February 2008, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Tan

I have been saying the same things that I said here for so many times that I am beginning to sound like a broken record.

For all the work you're doing

natalie8 · 13th February 2008, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDMA

I'm going with Nok when the time comes to move back to the UK. Although this will mean a trip across town between DM and Suwannabhumi, the reliability and night and day service compared with Air Asia makes this a no brainer.

Louis, I would highly recommend Thai Air for your flight to BKK. They have really good specials on all the time, making their prices lower than Air Asia. They have assigned seating, priority seating, newspapers, refreshments on board, they leave on time and their flight attendants are very professional and they give good service.

I used them for my last 2 flights to BKK and I only paid around 1,700 baht before tax and 2,200 after tax. It's well worth it.

Peter Tan · 13th February 2008, 16:26

LDMA,
You are most welcome. Thank you for the trackback that brought me here and the opportunity to advocacate to members of this forum.

tomcat,
We have a long way to go here before we can enjoy what your brother is enjoying in the US. True, what my colleagues and I do don't often get the desired results but if we don't do anything, things can never change. A little result is better than none. This is my life. This is our life. If we do not speak out and stand up for ourselves, we should not expect other who are not in our situation to act on our behalf.

Big Bill,
I plan to visit Australia some time in the near future. The best thing is that there is a travel agency there that conducts accessible tourism. That will greatly reduce all the anxieties wheelchair users have when travelling to places we have never been to before.

phuketbound,
It is always a long hard battle for us. I am surprised that this is happening in Canada. I thought things are much better there.

i1der,
I do what I have to do. There is some Divine intervention here but I am not going to bore you all with that story.

Again, my humblest gratitude to you all.

Piece Train · 13th February 2008, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuketbound

Ahh, okay I thought I was going crazy for a minute.

Big Bill · 14th February 2008, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Tan

That will greatly reduce all the anxieties wheelchair users have when travelling to places we have never been to before

That is good to hear Peter! Australia is one of the world leaders in this, along with Canada, and I guess the US. When you get to Sydney, you will find it very wheelchair friendly-especially the train system!

Piece Train · 16th February 2008, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by phuketbound

^^ I totally agree with you, Peter. Disabled people should be able to have the same opportunity and choices as able-bodied people. There should be no if, and, or but, about it. Period.

Yes, physiologically disabled people make up a larger percentage of the population than we think. Their disabilities aren't always visible.

bluffer · 16th February 2008, 23:25

LDMA - you forgot one GOOD thing about Air Asia.

Its not Ryanair. This bunch of jokers will soon charge you to watch the safety demonstration. They have already introduced a charge for checking in at the airport - supposedly to encourage you to book online. But of course, you cant check in online if you have luggage. ( which they will charge you for as well )

Michael O'Learys' solution? Buy anything you need at the other end - hairdryers, clothes, shoes.............and then bin it. Way to go on the old green environment arguement!

Just wait for the rest to follow suit.