PDA

View Full Version : Dont you hate it???


aromulus
2nd September 2006, 11:58
I have been looking online for weeks, and months for a cheaper fare to Cebu, in February.
There are many to be had, allegedly.............
The problem arises when you actually start the booking....
The price quoted originally, changes to a much higher one. it does not matter if you try through the websites or phoning the travel agents, you still get, in my opinion, ripped off.
The typical answer from all of them... Subject to avalaibility...
Apparently this phrase covers all sorts of sins.
Yesterday I got fed up, and finally booked a flight to Cebu, fo £680 and change, a flight which was advertised for £463 return....
I cannot understand why, they don't amend the websites, as soon as a particular deal has expired. It is relatively easy to do. And It would not give the public that feeling of being taken for mugs. It is mis-representation at its best..., but they get away with it. The same flight might have 5/6/7 different prices, from the ridiculously cheap to the most obnoxiously expensive. For what??? the same seat on the same plane....
I suppose i could have saved some money (£85) if I had flown with Quatar Airways, but I passionately don't like that airline for a number of reasons.

#1 Always late (in my experience):Brick:
#2 Doha Airport sucks, I felt so intimidated while i was waiting in the lounge, I appreciate that works are going on, and will be for a considerable lenght of time.
#3 nowhere to sit, and relax while waiting for a connection that doesn't arrive in time, or leave on time.
#4 the only cr is a disgusting mess.:cwm23:
#5 Scheduled/unscheduled stop in Singapore. ( you cannot leave the plane, btw.) Which adds a few more hours to an already long and boring flight. All travel agents I spoke to, stress that this is a 1 stop flight (Doha), but little they know.:NoNo:

So I will be going with Singapore Airlines, again. I don't really care if it is more expensive, but i get more satisfaction. lots to see and do in the concourse in Singapore. I can check on my mail from the many internet points for free, I can stretch my legs, or sit in peace and quiet somewhere relaxing, listening to the sound of trickling water and watch Koi carps swim in it. I can have a ciggie or three in a proper smoking area, and not standing up in a converted broom cupboard. I can sit at a proper bar for a pint, or have a decent espresso that doesn't taste like dishwater and doesn't bust the bank.... A fantastic choice of foods or snacks, walk through the various duty free areas, without having some bruiser in uniform or white robe following you. Have a nice discussion with the guys at the electronics shops about various items, they know their stuff.



All in all, Singapore Airlines is my carrier of choice.:xxgrinning--00xx3:

Dom

Win2Win
2nd September 2006, 18:58
I always use SIA.......unless I'm driving to Liverpool :Erm:

Welsh_Italian
4th September 2006, 01:53
I've just returned from the Phils using Qatar so my experience is quite recent.

I read the stories here and was concerned about my time there (~3 hrs there, ~2 hrs back), but found the airport to be alright. There were plenty of seats for waiting (always seats available), a restaurant, several toilets (which could be cleaner but still better than the average UK city pub), and it was nice and cool inside. All flights were on time except todays departure to Heathrow.

The staff were polite, and there was a smoking room close to gate 6.:Rasp:

However, I understand about not flying Qatar - they annoyed me today with the large number of families travelling, accompanied by complaining toddlers, cramped seats, so-so food, staff who forget things etc. It seems that airlines spend so much time trying to cater for families that they forget not everyone appreciates being cooped up with the smell of freshly used nappies and squalling brats for hours at a time.

The thing that really annoyed me today was on the Heathrow run, a family were split up maybe because they checked in late (I think they delayed the flight too). I checked in early to get nice seats by the window but a steward asked me (loudly and in front of everyone) if I would be willing to move to the middle of the aisle (between a very tall and lanky man and a very fat woman) just so the couple could sit together. Being "too nice", I said yes, but wish I hadn't. I'm going to complain about this and tell them that I will fly with some other airline in future. lol, I'm not always "nice".

aromulus
4th September 2006, 06:50
I must have been unlucky...... and picked the wrong day to travel...

When I was in Doha, waiting for the connections, there were seat, spread around the place, yes, I do admit.... but they were all occupied and none available. At one stage, after long search, I saw a guy in a flowing white robe, perfect DAZ automatic advert material, get up and walk towards the duty free.... I jumped at the chance and sat down, only for what'shisface to return after 1 minute and demand the seat back..... Hence the intimidation mentioned on the original post..... Saving to have an argument, I gave up and moved on...
Feeling peckish, I thought I would grab something to eat from the diner thingy upstairs, well, that was the most expensive piece of chicken I ever had, and unedible... and the coke was flat.
Needless to say that the area wasn't that clean, with tables laden with used up remains.
I could go on forever.... heheheh

I am not fussy, but if I pay for something I expect some kind of service, which I definitevely didn't get through the whole experience.
When there, in May, the smoking room was like a converted broom cupboard, 3 standing ash-trays in the middle and 20 people trying not to step on each others toes, with a very long queue waiting outside.

On the other hand, as I was slightly early in Checking in at Cebu airport, and not allowed yet to go through security, I was offered refreshments by the Filipina attendant at the Qatar office there... And she also managed to get the security to let me in a little earlier. and this was the only pleasant experience of my return leg to Manchester.
Yes, the food on board was a bit so-so, for lack of better words, even a RYANAIR £4 butty would have tasted better... and that after expiry...

The practice of having to confirm the flights at least 72 hours before is a pain, as I was not allowed to do it by phone, in Cebu, but had to go to the local offices in person.
Good job that mahal ko was with me, because the taxi driver was trying to rip me off. But that's what taxi drivers are there for, well, some of them anyway.
Amazing what a few words in Klingon, delivered in a high pitched, voice can achieve....

Dom

francesca
4th September 2006, 07:01
qatar has online booking I suppose? You may check your airline website to choose preferred seats, like, near the kitchen, food is nearer, hehe!

in dubai, same story, no available seats because some arabs took the floor area near the lounge for sleeping! arrgh! and if you insist, they would be annoyed I am noisy and disturbing their sleep!

walesrob
4th September 2006, 07:28
Blimey, I thought my experience with Qatar was bad enough, seems like you guys had it worse!

walesrob
4th September 2006, 12:49
qatar has online booking I suppose? You may check your airline website to choose preferred seats, like, near the kitchen, food is nearer, hehe!

in dubai, same story, no available seats because some arabs took the floor area near the lounge for sleeping! arrgh! and if you insist, they would be annoyed I am noisy and disturbing their sleep!

But Dubai is a much bigger and better airport, plenty of space when I was there, but having said that, I've noticed that with all the major airport hubs in Middle East, i.e. Dubai, Doha, Bahrain get very busy between 8pm and 3am - I guess this is when most flights transit through the airports, so if you can get a flight after those times, the better.

baboyako
4th September 2006, 19:06
doha has tiled floors & is so small that you're unlikely to find a place to kip down.

in dubai you can either set yourself up in the pub(s) :Beer:, or find some space near the end of a travelator somewhere - at least it's carpeted so not too uncomfortable (yea plenty of arabs kipping).

i've never found the sing-a-ding busy, always loads of seats.

the trick is to ensure your connections are only around 2-3hrs :xxgrinning--00xx3: