SLAYING ‘EM IN THE AISLES
I recently traveled to Norway with Finnair in economy class from Brisbane thru 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 approximately the service.
It became out to be the high-quality flight I’ve ever skilled. After a completely marvelous meal carrier, the workforce saved pounding the beat (aisle) offering services.
On Finnair itself and Cathay Pacific for return Hong Kong to Brisbane, the group of workers literally 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 3 matters to bother us at the whole ride were of our very own government’s making.
Australian passport holders are the only ones who have to pay a $US117 reciprocity rate to enter Chile. Why? Because the Australian Government costs Chileans $a hundred and forty for a visa. Many international locations can observe on-line for an Australian tourist visa without spending a dime, so why now not Chileans?
Next, why does the Federal Government nevertheless insist you can not take any liquids onto flights to Australia? This consists of duty-loose alcohol and water bought air-aspect.
Finally, arriving back in Australia after a protracted flight, you cannot use your e-passport if coming from South America; rather, you need to visit the e-passport help table to re-enter Australia.
They realize a flight is coming in from South America, so what several officers are allocated to procedure passports? You guessed it—just one.
Michael Barr, Brighton, VIC
SAFETY LAST
These days, it is all too common to look at passengers who are absolutely oblivious to or contemptuous of safety guidelines.
Few truely ever pay attention to the pre-flight videos, lest they seem like unseasoned guests who haven’t “heard all of it before.”
Other passengers, seeming to trust their non-public indulgence is more vital than anybody’s protection, resist or forget about specific protection directions. I’ve visible 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.
On the not going occasion, as they say, you virtually have to in shape oxygen masks or life jacket or find the closest go out in the darkness, you are probably thankful to have paid attention for as soon as 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 Paris remaining year, touring with two senior friends.
We purchased carnet – or “concession” – tickets for the Metro, wondering 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 had been greeted by 5 humorless officers who demanded we pay a fine for the use of concession tickets (which can be for below-12s in France). We tried to give an explanation for we traveled on concessions again home, to no avail.
After an awful lot of arguing, I sooner or later produced my credit score card and paid € seventy-five in fines to avoid drawing close arrest and gave the tickets away at the Metro to 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 enjoy, and subsequent research discovered that no internet site comparisons provide you with the statistics you really need.
A thorough analysis is needed, which uncovers the key records.
Does the company have a toll-loose number you may touch them on from everywhere in the international?
How quickly do they respond to you whilst you are in remote places and needing their assist?
How actually helpful and capable is the body of workers?
What percentage of claims are permitted (studies suggest that 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 got unlimited insurance of scientific fees. However, that does not guarantee you may get it whilst you claim.
Ducie’s letter described an ordinary refusal of help, which smacks discrimination in opposition to older travelers. If help is rejected, the top class must be refunded.
An overhaul and examination of travel insurance are late. Many people now do not hassle to take out journey insurance due to tales consisting of these.
Sue Lyons, North Carlton, VIC
NUTHIN BUT MUFFINS
Your recent cover tale about food on airlines (Traveller, April 27) brought about me to eventually write approximately my reports as a coeliac who travels Qantas enterprise elegance.
I find it so irritating that the food can’t be made greater attractive once traveling on this elegance.
On one recent flight, I turned into served the 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 is mainly galling while my husband is sitting all the way down to a meal, which he has been capable of pick 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 changed into canceled due to the SAS pilots’ strike with SAS, including “we’re working to ebook you on some other flight.”
Unfortunately, SAS followed up by no means and recommended that there had been 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 knowledgeable us that extenuating circumstances implemented most effective to “extreme climate, natural failures, and airport closure” and consequently we would not receive a refund.
