SLAYING ‘EM IN THE AISLES
I recently traveled to Norway with Finnair in economy class from Brisbane through Hong Kong, which used Qantas for the primary leg. Not being a Qantas consumer so much as a Jetstar one, I wasn’t questioning a great deal about the service.
It turned out to be the highest-quality flight I’ve ever seen. After a marvelous meal carrier, the workforce saved pounding the beat (aisle) offering services.
On Finnair itself and Cathay Pacific, for returning Hong Kong to Brisbane, the workers disappeared after meal service, with Qantas trumping Cathay Pacific hands down.
Yvonne Jessup, Byron Bay, NSW
LETTER OF THE WEEK SOUTHERN DISCOMFORTS
We have simply again from 5 notable weeks in South America. The handiest three matters to bother us during the whole ride were our Government’s making.
Australian passport holders only have to pay a $US117 reciprocity rate to enter Chile. Why? Because the Australian Government costs Chileans $ hundred 40 for a visa. Many international locations can be observed online for an Australian tourist visa without spending a dime, so why not Chileans?
Next, why does the Federal Government insist you can not take any liquids onto flights to Australia? This consists of duty-loose alcohol and water-bought air-aspect.
Finally, when arriving back in Australia after a protracted flight, you cannot use your e-passport if coming from South America; rather, you must visit the e-passport help table to re-enter Australia.
They realize a flight from South America is coming, so what are several officers allocated to procedure passports? You guessed it—just one.
Michael Barr, Brighton, VIC
SAFETY LAST
Nowadays, it is all too common to look at passengers who are oblivious to or contemptuous of safety guidelines.
Few truely pay attention to the pre-flight videos, lest they seem like unseasoned guests who haven’t “heard all of it before.”
Other passengers who seem to trust their non-public indulgence are more vital than anybody’s protection, resist or forget about specific protection directions. I’ve seen people flip off their smartphone while asked, most effectively showing it again while the flight attendant has moved on.
Understanding and looking at airline protection regulations is respecting your fellow visitors. It’s additionally a legitimate investment in yourself.
As they say, you must have an oxygen mask or life jacket or find the closest go-out in the darkness; you are probably thankful to have paid attention as soon to that “boring protection video.”
Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW
GATES OF HELL ONE
Reading the letter “Taxing Times” (Traveller Letters, May eleven) delivered lower back reminiscences of a trip to Paris last year, touring with two senior friends.
We purchased carnet – or “concession” – tickets for the Metro, wondering what concession meant similar to returned domestic, and the price tag vendor failed to tell us in any other case.
It turned into a huge mistake. After we went via the gate, we were greeted by five humorless officers who demanded we pay a fine for using concession tickets (which can be for below 12s in France). We tried to explain why traveling on concessions again home to no avail.
After an awful lot of arguing, I sooner or later produced my credit score card, paid € seventy-five in fines to avoid drawing close arrest, and gave the tickets away at the Metro to the dad and mom of underneath-12s as we could not get a refund.
Margaret McCann, Runaway Bay, QLD
GATES OF HELL TWO
I sympathize with Rob Vines and his frustration at copping fines simultaneously as journeying for rules of which one isn’t always conscious. However, his assumption that “officials enforce rules that locals sometimes ignore with impunity” is inaccurate.
Locals are dealt with similarly. It is simply that they’re aware of lengthy-standing rules, like validating a price ticket before boarding a train.
Grazia McKinnon, Ivanhoe, VIC
HONESTY THE BEST POLICIES
Ducie Hood’s letter (Traveller Letters, May 11), approximately the rejection of her travel coverage, describes a scenario experienced too regularly. We had a comparable experience, and subsequent research discovered that no internet site comparisons provide the necessary statistics.
A thorough analysis that uncovers the key records is needed.
Does the company have a toll-loss number you may touch them on from anywhere internationally?
How quickly do they respond to you while you are in remote places and need their assistance?
How helpful and capable is the body of workers?
What percentage of claims are permitted (studies suggest this is much less than 50 in line with cent)?
Can you get cover that doesn’t involve paying an excess?
A policy may additionally say you have unlimited insurance of scientific fees. However, that does not guarantee you may call it while you claim.
Ducie’s letter described an ordinary refusal of help, which smacks discrimination in opposition to older travelers. If the service is rejected, the top class must be refunded.
An overhaul and examination of travel insurance are late. Many people now do not have the hassle of taking out journey insurance due to tales of these.
Sue Lyons, North Carlton, VIC
NUTHIN BUT MUFFINS
Your recent cover tale about food on airlines (Traveller, April 27) led me to write approximately my reports as a coeliac who travels Qantas enterprise elegance.
It irritates that the food can’t be made more attractive once traveling in this elegance.
On one recent flight, I was served an identical meal on two legs. And an apple or dried-up muffin for a barren region does not reduce it. Coeliacs are lumped in with dairy intolerance, and so there’s by no means any cheese, actual butter, or milk.
This isn’t very pleasant while my husband sits down to a meal, which he has been picking out from a huge variety.
Qantas has simply long past finances for dietary requirements, and while purchasing long-haul enterprise-class, this isn’t always appropriate.
Leni May, Kyneton, VIC
TAKING STOCKHOLM
Our latest flight from Oslo to Stockholm was due to the SAS pilots’ strike by saying, “We’re working to ebook you on some other flight.”
Unfortunately, SAS did not follow up and recommended no flights on the following three days.
We idea the “extenuating instances” clause would refund all or part of the $1118.06 paid (for our accommodation in Stockholm), but Airbnb customer service informed us that extenuating circumstances implemented most effectively to “extreme climate, natural failures, and airport closure” and consequently we would not receive a refund.
